Environmental Policy: Decision Making And Problem Solving Approaches to Environmental Policy &

1. AP Environmental Science Mr. Grant Lesson 11 Environmental Policy: Decision Making And Problem Solving Approaches to Environmental Policy & Science and the Environmental Policy Process

2. Objectives: • Define the term Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). • Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy. • Discuss the role of science in the policy process. • TED - In an emotionally charged talk, MacArthur-winning activist Majora Carter details her fight for environmental justice in the South Bronx -- and shows how minority neighborhoods suffer most from flawed urban policy.

3. Define the term Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - An administrative agency created by executive order in 1970. The EPA is charge with conducting and evaluating research, monitoring environmental quality, setting standards, enforcing those standards, assisting the states in meeting standards and goals, and educating the public.

4. Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy. Tort law has been a traditional approach to resolving environmental disputes. • Tort law = deals with one entity harming another • Nuisance law = individuals suffering from pollution would seek redress through lawsuits • Courts make polluters stop through injunctions or fines • But justices were reluctant to hinder industry • In Boomer v. Atlantic Cement Company, the company had to pay people for damages but could still operate… The market decides between right and wrong… This is not a viable option to prevent pollution

5. Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy. Legislation from Congress and regulations from administrative agencies make up most federal policy. These top-down approaches are referred to as command-and-control. • Threatening punishment for violators • It brings cleaner air, water, safer workplaces, etc.

6. Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy. Shortcomings of the command-and-control approach have led many economists to advocate economic policy tools. • Government actions may be well-intentioned… But not well-informed • Interest groups—people seeking private gain—unduly influence politicians and work against public interests • Citizens may view policies as restrictions on freedom • Those policies will not remain in force

7. Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy. Economic policy tools include green taxes, subsidies, and market-based approaches such as ecolabeling and permit trading. • Other approaches use innovation and efficiency to benefit the public • Aim to internalize external costs • Taxes discourage undesirable activities • Green taxes = tax environmentally harmful activities • Businesses reimburse the public for damage they cause • The more pollution, the higher the tax payment • Give companies financial incentives to reduce pollution with freedom to decide how to do so • But costs are passed on to consumers • Public-private partnerships are challenging to make work, but they can offer a promising approach.

8. Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy. • Subsidiespromote certain activities • Subsidy = a government giveaway of cash or resources to encourage a particular activity • Tax break = helps an entity by relieving its tax burden • They have been used to support unsustainable activities • Nations give $1.45 trillion/year in harmful subsidies • From 2002 to 2008, U.S. fossil fuel companies received $72 billion of taxpayer money, while renewable energy received only $29 billion

9. Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy. • Environmentally harmful subsidies • The General Mining Act of 1872 • Mining companies get $500 million–$1 billion in minerals from U.S. public lands each year • But they don’t pay a penny in royalties to taxpayers • The government has given away $250 billion in mineral resources • Mining activities have polluted 40% of Western watersheds • The U.S. Forest Service spends $35 million of taxpayer money/year building roads for logging companies • Companies sell the trees for profit

10. Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy. • Harnessing market dynamics • Governments use financial incentives in direct and selective ways • Subsidies and green taxes • Financial incentives and market dynamics can also help in obtaining policy goals • Ecolabeling = sellers advertise that they use sustainable practices • Businesses win consumer confidence and outcompete less sustainably produced brands

11. Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy. • Permit trading saves money • Permit trading = a government-created market in permits for an environmentally harmful activity • Businesses buy, sell, trade these permits • Cap-and-trade emissions trading system = the government sets pollution levels (“caps”) and issues permits • Polluters can buy, sell, and trade these permits • Pollution is reduced overall, but does increase around polluting plants • Companies have an economic incentive to reduce emissions

12. Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy. • Cap-and-trade and air pollution • A cap-and-trade system in the U.S. mandates lower sulfur dioxide emissions • Emissions have decreased by 43% • Cuts were obtained cheaper and more efficiently than command-and-control regulation • With no effects on supply or economic growth • Benefits outweigh costs 40 to 1 • Markets in carbon emissions are sprouting up

13. Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy. • Market incentives work at the local level • Municipalities charge residents for waste disposal, according to the amount of waste generated • Cities tax disposal of costly items (tires, motor oil) • Some cities give rebates for buying water-efficient appliances • Power utilities give discounts to those buying efficient lightbulbs and appliances • Well-planned market incentives can reduce environmental impact while minimizing costs to industry • Easing concerns about government intrusion

14. Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy. Public-private partnerships are challenging to make work, but they can offer a promising approach. • Public-private partnership = a for-profit entity does the work • A private entity acts as overseer • Public policy goals will be achieved in a timely, cost-effective manner • Private entities try to maximize efficiency • It is challenging to design workable partnerships while serving both private and public interests

15. Delineate the steps of the environmental policy process and evaluate its effectiveness. Science, ethics, and economics help formulate policy • Science = provides information and analysis • Ethics and economics = clarify how society can address problems • Government interacts with citizens, organizations, and the private sector

16. Delineate the steps of the environmental policy process and evaluate its effectiveness Seven steps to making environmental policy • Creating environmental policy has several steps • Requires initiative, dedication, and the support of many people

17. Step 1: Identify a problem • This requires curiosity, observation, record keeping, and an awareness of our relationship with the environment.

18. Step 2: Pinpoint causes of the problem • Involves scientific research • Risk assessment = judging risks a problem poses to health or the environment

19. Step 3: Envision a solution • Risk management = developing strategies to minimize risk • Involves social or political action

20. Step 4: Get organized • Organizations are more effective than individuals • But a motivated, informed individual can also succeed

21. Step 5: Cultivate access and influence • Lobbying = spending time and money to influence a politician • Environmental advocates are not the most influential lobbyists

22. Who influences the policy process? In a democracy, anyone can use the policy process, but corporations and organizations with money and recourses tend to have the most clout. • Political Action Committees (PACs) = raise money for political campaigns • Corporations and industries can not make direct campaign contributions • So they establish PACs to help candidates win • A 2010 Supreme Court decision allows corporations and unions to buy ads for or against candidates • The revolving door = movement of people between the private sector and government • Intimate knowledge of an issue or conflict of interest?

23. Step 6: Shepherd the solution into law • Prepare a bill, or draft law, containing solutions • Find members of the House and Senate to introduce the bill and shepherd it through committees • The bill may become law or die in various ways

24. Step 6: Shepherd the solution into law

25. Step 7: Implement, assess, and interpret policy • Following a law’s enactment • Administrative agencies implement regulations • Policymakers and others evaluate the policy’s successes or failures • The judicial branch interprets the law

26. Discuss the role of science in the policy process Data from scientific research are vital for informing policy. • Effective decisions are informed by scientific research • A nation’s strength depends on its commitment to science Policymakers may sometimes ignore or distort science for political ends, so we in the public need to remain vigilant. • They let political ideology determine policy • Government scientists have had their work censored, suppressed, or edited and their jobs threatened • Unqualified people were put into power • Most scientists greeted President Obama with relief When taxpayer-funded research is suppressed or distorted for political ends, everyone loses

27. TED Video Majora Carter fights for environmental justice in her hometown of New York's South Bronx. She's working not just to hold back the polluters who target low-income neighborhoods like hers, but to bring back the green -- and create green jobs. Majora Carter: Greening the Ghetto (18:33) With her inspired ideas and fierce persistence, Carter managed to bring the South Bronx its first open-waterfront park in 60 years.