Politics, Environment, & Sustainability Ch. 24

The Role of Government in the Transition to More Sustainable Societies Through its policies, a government can help to protect environmental and public interests, and to encourage more environmentally sustainable economic development.

Government Can Serve Environmental and Other Public Interests Balance between government intervention and free enterprise NOT EASY! Government is the best mechanism to deal with Full-cost pricing Market failures The tragedy of the commons Free enterprise = change and innovations that lead to new tech., products, and opportunities for profit. Gov acts as a break to business enterprises that might result in harm to people or the environment. Market failures = level the playing field with subsidies

How Can Government Serve Environment and Other Public Interests? Environmental policy – laws, regulations, and other policy mechanisms conserning environmental issues and sustainability Policies = set of laws and regulations gov. enacts & enforces & programs it funds Politics = process by which individuals and groups try to influence or control the policies and actions of gov. – local, state, national and international

Policy Life Cycle 4 stages Recognition Formulation Implementation Control Policies = set of laws and regulations gov. enacts & enforces & programs it funds Politics = process by which individuals and groups try to influence or control the policies and actions of gov. – local, state, national and international

Implementation Implement solutions Recognition Identify the problem Nonpoint-source water pollution Indoor air pollution Electronic waste Mining wastes Groundwater contamination Environmentally harmful subsidies Formulation Look for solutions Climate change Urban sprawl Nuclear wastes Biodiversity losses Toxic wastes Aquifer depletion Control Monitor and adjust Outdoor air pollution Sewage treatment problems Drinking water pollution Point-source water pollution Some infectious diseases Municipal solid waste Exclusion of environmentally harmful costs from market prices Implementation Implement solutions Acid deposition Ozone depletion Municipal solid waste Endangered species Pest damage Soil erosion Stepped Art Fig. 24-2, p. 639

Democracy Quick Solutions Democracy : Government by the people through elected officials & representatives United States is a constitutional democracy Checks and balances allows gradual change that ensures economic and political stability.

Democracy Quick Solutions Special-interest groups pressure the government Profit-making organizations Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) Politicians focus on problems with short-term effects, not long-term

7 Principles Designed to Minimize Environmental Harm

7 Principles Designed to Minimize Environmental Harm 1. The humility principle: Understanding of how our actions affect nature Low net energy = nuclear, tar sands, shale oil, hydrogen and ethanol from corn. – cannot compete in open market without subsideis

7 Principles Designed to Minimize Environmental Harm 2. The reversibility principle: Try not to make a decision that cannot be reversed Hazardous toxic waste Nuclear waste Carbon emissions Low net energy = nuclear, tar sands, shale oil, hydrogen and ethanol from corn. – cannot compete in open market without subsideis

7 Principles Designed to Minimize Environmental Harm 3. The net energy principle: Do not encourage use of technologies with low net energy yields Low net energy = nuclear, tar sands, shale oil, hydrogen and ethanol from corn. – cannot compete in open market without subsideis

7 Principles Designed to Minimize Environmental Harm 4. The precautionary principle: Take measure to prevent/reduce harm Low net energy = nuclear, tar sands, shale oil, hydrogen and ethanol from corn. – cannot compete in open market without subsideis

7 Principles Designed to Minimize Environmental Harm 5. The preventive principle: Prevent a problem or prevent making worse

7 Principles Designed to Minimize Environmental Harm 6. The polluter-pays principle: Regulations & economic tools to ensure that polluters bear the cost of dealing with pollutants/waste (full cost pricing)

7 Principles Designed to Minimize Environmental Harm 7. The environmental justice principle: Environmental policy so that no group of people bears an unfair share of the burden.

How Is Environmental Policy Made? Involves enacting laws, funding programs, writing rules, and enforcing those rules with government oversight

Environmental law Body of laws and treaties that broadly define what is acceptable environmental behavior

Developing Environmental Policy Is a Controversial Process Funding needed Regulations and rules needed to implement the law Policy: important role of environmental regulatory agencies Regulated businesses try to have their members appointed to regulatory agency

How Democratic Government Works: The U.S. Model 3 seprate but independent branches. Laws passed by legislative branch, regulation instituted by agencies of the executive branch and funding approved by congress and the president

Environmental organizations Corporations and small businesses Laws Legislative branch Executive branch Courts Lobbyists Lobbyists Regulators Public hearing Civil suits Figure 24.3: This is a greatly simplified overview of how individuals, corporations, and environmental organizations interact with each other and with the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the U.S. government. The bottom of this diagram also shows some ways in which individuals can bring about environmental change through their own lifestyles. (See the website for this book for details on contacting elected representatives.) Environmental organizations Corporations and small businesses Membership support Patronize or boycott Individuals Purchase recyclable, recycled, and environmentally safe products Walk, ride a bike, or use a carpool or mass transit Reuse and recycle various items Plant an organic garden Donate clothes and used goods to charities Use water, energy, and other resources efficiently Fig. 24-3, p. 642

Major Types of Environmental Laws in US Major Environmental Laws and Amended Versions Enacted in the U.S. Since 1969 Major Types of Environmental Laws in US Set standards for pollution levels Screens new substances Encourages resource conservation Sets aside or protects certain species, resources, and ecosystems Requires evaluation of the environmental impact NO major new environmental laws have been passed since the 1970s!!!!! Figure 24.4: These are some of the major environmental laws and their amended versions enacted in the United States since 1969. No major new environmental laws have been passed since the 1970s. Fig. 24-4, p. 643

Environmental Lawsuits Are Difficult to Win Legal standing: has the plaintiff suffered health or financial problems? Very expensive Public interest law firms: usually can’t recover attorney’s fees Have you been harmed and did the company cause the harm?

Environmental Lawsuits Are Difficult to Win Statutes of limitation Appeals: years to settle Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) Major reforms are needed SLAPPS = target citizens who publically criticize a business for some activity – 90% thrown out. Not meant to be won – intended to intimedate and slow down. Citizens must hire lawers, spend 1 -3 defending themselves

Science VS Politics Science Politics Any scientific claim must be based on hard evidence and be subject to peer review Scientists can never establish absolute truth Scientists vigorously debate the validity of scientific research Science advances through open sharing and peer review of research methods, results, and conclusions Politicians are most concerned with getting reelected Disregard scientific evidence, or pick and choose facts to support a political position Personal attacks versus discussion of facts Spread of disinformation in media/online

Who opposes U.S. environmental laws? Some corporate leaders and other powerful people Some citizens who see threats to private property rights Some state and local officials who don’t like being forced to implement federal laws and regulations

Why the opposition? - Environmental issues not as easy to see now - Environmentalists as bearers of bad news

What Are the Major Roles of Environmental Groups? Grassroots groups are growing and combining their efforts with those of large environmental organizations in a global sustainability movement.

Student Pressure on Campuses to Carry Out Environmental Audits Gather data on practices that affect the environment Propose changes

Science Focus: Greening American Campuses Accomplishments of environmental audits by students at American colleges and universities Specific examples Oberlin College, OH: nation’s greenest college Northland College, WI: “green” residence hall Buying local and organic food Producing renewable energy

Ecofriendly Environmental Living and Learning Center, Northland College, Wisconsin Figure 24.11: The Environmental Living and Learning Center is an eco-friendly residence hall and meeting space at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. The building, which houses more than 150 students, features a wind turbine and three large solar panels for generating some of the electricity used by the residents. Other green features include passive solar heating, furniture and carpet made from recycled plastic, recycled Mylar window shades that reduce heat loss in winter and prevent excessive solar gain in summer, and a composting toilet system in some of the bathrooms. Northland students had a major role in designing the building, and the space is used by a variety of organizations for meetings and educational programs. Fig. 24-11, p. 654