Politics of Pollution

Politics and Belief Systems Politicians depend on learning voters’ belief systems and making sure that their publically stated stances match the belief systems of the majority of the voters. If there is not a match, then the politicians depend on a “perceived” match.

Test your belief systems by answering true or false We can solve current environmental problems. Environmental problems are beyond solution. We can solve current env. problems but will select not to do so. The environment is a mess. The environment is getting worse. The environment is getting better. There are no leaders of the environmental effort. I would quit driving a car today if I believed it would really help clean the environment.

Test your belief systems 9. The environment 30 years from now will be much improved. 10. Progress and a healthy environment are incompatible. 11. Rapid technological change is to blame for the environmental mess. Technology is the solution to the environmental problems People are the solution to environmental problems Continued rapid population growth dooms the environment.

Test your belief systems The survival of mankind is at stake during the next 50 years. The survival of life on the planet is at stake over the next 50 years. Many of our current environmental solutions will only cause other environmental problems. If people understood the real environmental costs of their actions, they would change. I believe we should be able to solve environmental problems without having to give up any aspect of our current lifestyle. The environment exists to serve humankind’s needs.

Optimist or Pessimist? Optimist questions are: Pessimist questions are True to numbers 1,6,8,9,12,13,18 Pessimist questions are True to numbers 2,3,4,5,7,10,11,15,16,17 Development ethic questions are: True to numbers 14,19,20

How would a politician rank and then address the members of this class?

What has been accomplished by environmental policies? Set standards for limits of emissions on pollutants, e.g. Water Pollution Control Act, Clean Air Acts Check safety of new substances, e.g. Toxic Substances Control Act Requires use of Environmental Impact Statements before an activity is started Protected various ecosystems and species, Wilderness Act, Endangered Species Act Encourage resource conservation (changes in tax structure, etc.)

Ozone Depletion The ozone depletion in Antarctic, Arctic and mid latitudes is continuing, due to past emissions of CFCs. It will peak in the next few years. Given full Implementation of the Montreal Protocol by all countries, the Ozone Layer will recover by the middle of the 21st century. 12/4/2018

The Multilateral Fund The Multilateral Fund of the Protocol has been very successful. It has so far disbursed over $ 768 million to more than 100 developing countries to phase out more than half of their CFC consumption. It will continue assistance till the phase out is completed. 12/4/2018

Lessons of the Montreal Protocol Precautionary principle, signals to industries, integration of science with policy, recognition of the special situation of the developing countries, common but differentiated responsibility, flexibility to take into account scientific and technological developments over time. 12/4/2018

Countries that have Not Ratified the Montreal Protocol Albania Armenia Angola Cape Verde Djibouti Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Guinea-Bissau Rwanda Sao Tome & Principe Sierra Leone Somalia Haiti Andorra San Marino Afghanistan Bhutan Cambodia Iraq Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Lao (PDR) Oman Palau

Environmental Impact Statements Describe purpose and need for act Describe probable environmental impacts of act Describe any adverse impacts that can’t be avoided What alternatives to act exist (including not doing it) Short-term and long-term effects on environment Discuss any irreversible uses of resources EIS preliminary draft reviewers comments List names & qualifications of preparers

Criticisms of EISs Too much detail on insignificant points Prepared to justify decision already made, not to look at alternatives Prepared without adequate scientific data Voluminous documents can hide serious problems

According to the late Tip O’Neil “All politics are local” So,….

What can you do? Environmental organizations act to amplify your voice. Examine the options available, pick an organization that most closely matches your personality and concerns and join it! Write to your congressional representatives or senators! Congress assumes that for every person who sends a letter, 15 more out there feel the same way; for everyone who calls, 25 more feel that way; for everyone who visits, 200 more feel that way! Your letter does count!

What can you do? Avoid confrontation style politics and make sure you have your facts straight. Understand the other party’s frame of reference and ethics. Work for a win-win situation whenever possible. Lobby and work for world and regional peace.