Does your country have a natural resource agency and an environmental protection agency? Yes, absolutely. They have well developed programs for environmental protection, including air and water quality, carbon emissions, forestry and energy resources. Holland is highly populated and these programs are essential to protect human health and the natural environment. . They have regular agencies as well as ones for water quality and water resources. Water regulation is tightly controlled. Holland’s agencies are very similar to the ones in the United States. Rising sea level is a huge issue in Holland that must be addressed with all available resources. The country actually sits below sea level! This problem will become more serious with climate change. Information from my research: One agency, the PBL Environmental Assessment Agency, tracks environmental issues and has noticed that issues have been addressed. The agency deals with local problems as well as worldwide problems such as climate change. Holland, like most European countries, has environmental standards that exceed those of the United States. This is especially true in the area of climate change, carbon emissions, air pollution, recycling and development of clean and renewable energy resources. Online Reference: European Environmental Agency http://www.eea.europa.eu/soer-2015/countries/the-netherlands

My Interview

1.  What city and country did you live in and for how long?
   

2. Does your country have a natural resource agency and an environmental protection agency?

3.Is population growth or overpopulation an issue in your country? What is the fertility rate in your country?

4.Does your country have a recycling program? What percent of the waste is recycled?

5. What is the status of air quality in your country? What are the sources of air pollution.

6. What is the status of water availability and water quality in your country? What are the sources of water pollution?

7.What is the status of forest resources in your country?

What is the status of wildlife and park resources in your country? Does your country have any endangered species?

9.a. 0.5 What is the status of energy resources in your country? Has your country been developing renewable sources of energy? What percent of the energy used comes from renewables?

10. For the student: What was your reaction to this interview?  Compare environmental issues in the United States to the country of your interviewee.