Week in Review: A Conversation About Our Environment

Chris Evans
April 24, 2015
05:33 PM EDT

From an Earth Day trip to a 1.5-million-acre wetland ecosystem to a trade deal that protects endangered species, this was a week of conversation about how we can protect our environment. President Obama traveled to the Everglades in southern Florida to discuss how climate change is affecting our environment and spoke about his trade deal that would protect endangered species from illegal wildlife trafficking. Back at the White House, we reviewed our progress on combating environmental challenges and asked you to share what you would fight to protect for this Earth Week.

In case you missed it, here are a couple highlights from the week.

Recapping Earth Day

On Wednesday, the President traveled to the Everglades in southern Florida for the first time to celebrate Earth Day. While enjoying the natural beauty of the 1.5-million-acre wetland ecosystem, President Obama also highlighted how climate change is affecting the region and our planet. The President also sat down with Bill Nye the Science Guy to discuss that threat, conservation, and science education in America. Watch that conversation below:

Watch on YouTube

Take a look at our highlights from the day.

Here's What You Said You're Fighting For

On Monday, we asked you to join us in taking a stand to help make the impact of climate change clear for your friends, family, and followers on social media by sharing a photo of your favorite outdoors spot that you'd fight to protect. And we were overwhelmed by your responses:

Happy #EarthDay! Share the place you're concerned about protecting with #ActOnClimate → http://t.co/k8fbW7HGUM pic.twitter.com/YR1ugRDVyO

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 22, 2015

See a few of the places that people said they're fighting for.

A Trade Deal that Helps Protect Endangered Species

Pangolins are the most trafficked animals in the world. Thousands of them are trafficked each year, which makes them one of the most critically endangered species in the world. During Earth Week, it’s important to discuss ways that we can save the many species that are currently threatened. This is where the President’s trade deal comes in. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) would put in place environmental standards that combat wildlife trafficking in the countries that sign on as our trading partners.

10 Animals the President’s Trade Deal Will Help Protect from Illegal Wildlife Trafficking → https://t.co/A1vrY5cr3J pic.twitter.com/9PEKToMl0k

— USTR (@USTradeRep) April 23, 2015

Meet a few of the animals that the TPP will help protect.

Progress on Climate

It’s important to reflect on what we’ve done and what we’re doing next to keep our environment clean and safe. The President and his administration have taken steps to reduce the causes of climate change and clean up our environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been leading the way by reducing the frequency of acid rain, removing lead from gasoline, banning the use of DDT, and cleaning up the air we breathe.

The bald eagle, our national bird, once faced extinction. #EarthDayEveryDay #EarthDay pic.twitter.com/UNz6X7wjzR

— U.S. EPA (@EPA) April 22, 2015

Take a look at the policies that we’ve put in place and the impact they’ve had on our environment.

The Unique Role that Our National Parks Play

Entrance to National Parks was free last weekend to celebrate Earth Day. In addition to offering us the opportunity to explore our nation’s history and the great outdoors, National Parks have played a key role in some of Hollywood’s greatest films. This includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Star Trek, and Forrest Gump.

You may be able to #FindYourPark in your fav movie—from Ewoks @RedwoodNPS to outlaws @ZionNPS https://t.co/sLoz2XsfiI pic.twitter.com/CtoopHxCmc

— Brian Deese (@Deese44) April 24, 2015

Here are some of the most memorable appearances that National Parks have made in modern cinema.

For more of the week's highlights, watch the latest edition of West Wing Week: