April 24-30, 2014, Current Events Lesson Plan
Current Event:
The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld a 2011 rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would limit certain kinds of polluting air emissions that cross state lines. Scientists have long known that wind, under certain circumstances, carries sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide from power plants for long distances. These pollutants react with other substances to form smog and soot that can cause respiratory illnesses and other disease. A tug of war between the EPA and smokestack industries over drifting air pollution has been going on for decades. In 2002, the administration of then-President George W. Bush instructed the EPA to adopt new rules overturning a provision of the Clean Air Act of 1970 that required companies to adopt the best available pollution controls when major sources of pollution are upgraded or enlarged. The provision was reinstated by the administration of President Barack Obama. Texas and 13 other states and power companies filed a lawsuit challenging its reinstatement, and a federal appeals court ruled in their favor in 2012.
Objective:
The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. Its main duty is to determine the legality of conduct at all levels of government as measured either by the Constitution of the United States or by other laws passed by Congress. Much of the court’s work involves the interpretation of general legal rules and the application of these rules to specific cases. Because the court is the nation’s highest judicial authority, its decisions have great importance. Once it decides a constitutional question, all other courts in the United States are expected to follow the decision in similar cases. Since 1869, the court has had nine members–a chief justice and eight associate justices. Once appointed, justices may remain in office for life, and Congress cannot reduce their salaries. These provisions protect the justices from political control and help ensure their independence. The Behind the Headlines news story and related World Book articles explore the U.S. Supreme Court and its rulings.
Words to know:
- Air pollution
- Barack Obama
- Clean Air Act
- Environmental pollution
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- George W. Bush
- Smog
- Soot
- Sulfur dioxide
- Supreme Court of the United States
Discussion Topics:
1. Ask your students to name some ways that people can reduce air pollution. (Students might say walking or using public transportation when possible instead of driving a car; conserving energy to help reduce the amount of fossil fuels power plants must burn; planting trees.)
2. Ask your students to list sources of pollution and other environmental problems along with ways they can help minimize these problems.
3. Ask your students to debate: “Humans have the obligation to protect the environment no matter the cost.”
4. Ask your students to use World Book’s Timelines featureto create a timeline of the history of the Supreme Court’s landmark decisions. (Students may wish to use World Book’s Supreme Court of the United States article for help.)