One of NEPA's three main goals includes promoting what specific understanding?

NEPA, the National Environmental Policy Act, aims to promote understanding of the natural environment and how human activities interact with it. One of its three primary goals focuses on the conservation and management of natural resources. By encouraging thorough analysis and consideration of natural resources within federal planning and decision-making, NEPA helps ensure that environmental impacts are not overlooked in favor of economic or developmental interests.

This understanding encourages agencies to weigh the potential impacts on air, water, land, flora, and fauna when proposing new projects or actions, leading to more sustainable outcomes. Engaging in this level of environmental consideration promotes informed decision-making and helps to integrate environmental protection into the fabric of government policies. Thus, the emphasis on natural resources aligns perfectly with NEPA's mission to foster a deep awareness of the physical environment and its limitations.