Thriving Natural World

Thriving Natural World is about having clean air, clean water, clean land, and well-functioning ecosystems. A healthy environment is one that is free from environmental hazards, one that is resilient to future changes and threats, and one that fulfills our needs to connect with nature.

Many systems in our economy—food, energy, transportation, healthcare, water, and land development—are significantly impacted by the natural environment. A poor environment can lead to acute and chronic health problems. Communities of color and low-income communities are disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards due to past policies and lack of regulation. Climate change can cause severe weather events, flooding, and change growing conditions in food producing areas. Further environmental degradation threatens the natural systems upon which humans rely. While there have been improvements in air quality, reduction in pollution, and management and disposal of hazardous chemicals and waste, serious challenges remain.