The good news is we have the ability to detect small amounts of chemicals in our environment which used to be undetectable. But we need to know how to use this information. The environment is made up of many competing risks. Science can help us understand those risks so we can address the most important problems first and find the best ways to solve them. Sometimes reducing one risk increases another.
Reality is tricky.
The good news is that we can find quality science and scientists in our states and localities that live next door to the problems and opportunities in their own environment. Our commitment is to make environmental investments that are truly useful and enhance the quality of life of all Americans, bringing in the pool of capable and responsible individuals and institutions beyond Washington. If it means changing the system to do that, then that's our commitment too. The American people also believe that honesty is always the best policy. We need to provide them with environmental information that is sound, that can be more easily understood, and perhaps, most of all, useful.