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Pollution of air, water, soil and biota take a toll on our economy and on the overall welfare of the American people.  Contamination by toxic chemicals, some capable of crossing borders by traveling thousands of miles from their source, can also damage our long-term physical well-being and relations with neighbors.

To help combat these threats, ENV works within multilateral agreements such as the Montreal Protocol and multilateral organizations such as the UN Environment Program and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to enhance protection of the environment and promote prosperity, national security, health and safety.  ENV also contributes to the integration of environmental considerations into the work of multilateral development banks, and promotes progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  These efforts bring health and economic benefits to the United States and the global community.

We also work with free trade agreement partners to strengthen their laws and improve enforcement, helping ensure that businesses in these countries are regulated by similar environmental rules as U.S. businesses.

U.S. Department of State

The Lessons of 1989: Freedom and Our Future