I'm on board with am_Unition's comment of climate change. It was one of the first things that came to my mind, though the more I thought about it my answer is to not give up ground on more localized, concentrated pollution control. One of the Republican candidates for the US presidency recently said they didn't see much of a need for the EPA. I forget who, but it was probably Walker. The progress we've all made over the last 30-40 years can't be lost over riling up the political base. Allowing another Love Canal to happen would be completely unacceptable in a world where we know better and have the knowledge to avoid it. I like to think setting the example in countries with higher standards of living can help show poorer countries what's possible. Healthier people will be better suited to improving standards of living.