Final answer:
The main focus of the debate around the Clean Air Act of 1970 was on the regulation of air pollutants and their impact on public health. The EPA regulates criteria pollutants to protect both public health and the environment. Air pollution is also a significant contributing factor to global climate change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The debate around the Clean Air Act of 1970 primarily centered on the issue of pollutants and their impact on public health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a crucial role in establishing air quality standards to protect public health and the environment. The EPA has identified six criteria pollutants that include particle pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and lead, with particle pollution and ground-level ozone being the most significant health threats.
Furthermore, the Clean Air Act sets forth National Ambient Air Quality Standards to safeguard against these pollutants. Primary standards are aimed at the protection of public health, particularly for sensitive populations such as children and the elderly, whereas secondary standards are designed to protect public welfare, including prevention against decreased visibility, harm to animals, crops, and buildings.
Air pollution does not only imply immediate health threats but is also a contributing factor to global climate change. Emissions from fossil fuels, for example, increase the natural greenhouse effect, leading to a rise in Earth's surface temperature.
Despite global efforts, such as the Paris Agreement, to limit the temperature rise, pollution remains a multi-faceted challenge that affects health, the environment, and the economy. Addressing pollution is essential for achieving various sustainable development goals and reducing the adverse impacts on global health and welfare.