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Environmental Policy: Decision Making And Problem SolvingApproaches to Environmental Policy&Science and the Environmental Policy Process

AP Environmental ScienceMr. GrantLesson 11 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.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.

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.2Define 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.

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.3Categorize 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 anotherNuisance law = individuals suffering from pollution would seek redress through lawsuits Courts make polluters stop through injunctions or finesBut justices were reluctant to hinder industryIn 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

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Prior to the legislative push of recent decades, most environmental policy questions in the United States were addressed with lawsuits in the courts through tort law, which is law that deals with harm caused to one entity by another. 4Categorize 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 violatorsIt brings cleaner air, water, safer workplaces, etc.

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Most environmental laws of recent decades, and most regulations enforced by agencies today, use a command-and-control approach where a regulating agency prohibits certain actions, or sets rules, standards, or limits, and threatens punishment for those who violate these terms.

The command-and-control policy has largely been effective.

5Categorize 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-informedInterest groupspeople seeking private gainunduly influence politicians and work against public interestsCitizens may view policies as restrictions on freedomThose policies will not remain in force

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Despite these successes, many people have grown disenchanted with the top-down, sometimes heavy-handed nature of the command-and-control approach.

6Categorize 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 publicAim to internalize external costsTaxes discourage undesirable activitiesGreen taxes = tax environmentally harmful activitiesBusinesses reimburse the public for damage they causeThe more pollution, the higher the tax paymentGive companies financial incentives to reduce pollution with freedom to decide how to do soBut costs are passed on to consumers

Public-private partnerships are challenging to make work, but they can offer a promising approach.

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Political scientists, economists, and policymakers today are exploring alternative policy approaches to channel the innovation and economic efficiency of the market in directions that benefit the public.

Green taxes discourage undesirable activities.

Green taxes, or taxes on environmentally harmful activities and products, discourage undesirable activities.

2. Today there is debate worldwide about whether carbon taxestaxing gasoline, coal-based electricity, and fossil-fuel-intensive products according to the carbon emissions they produceshould be instituted to fight global climate change.

7Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy.Subsidies promote certain activitiesSubsidy = a government giveaway of cash or resources to encourage a particular activityTax break = helps an entity by relieving its tax burdenThey have been used to support unsustainable activitiesNations 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

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Subsidies are government giveaways of money or publicly owned resources. They are intended to encourage a particular industry or activity.

A tax break is a common form of subsidy.

b. Plenty of environmentally harmful subsidies remain.

8Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy.Environmentally harmful subsidiesThe General Mining Act of 1872 Mining companies get $500 million$1 billion in minerals from U.S. public lands each yearBut they dont pay a penny in royalties to taxpayersThe government has given away $250 billion in mineral resourcesMining activities have polluted 40% of Western watershedsThe U.S. Forest Service spends $35 million of taxpayer money/year building roads for logging companiesCompanies sell the trees for profit 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.9Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy.Harnessing market dynamicsGovernments use financial incentives in direct and selective waysSubsidies and green taxesFinancial incentives and market dynamics can also help in obtaining policy goalsEcolabeling = sellers advertise that they use sustainable practicesBusinesses win consumer confidence and outcompete less sustainably produced brands 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.We can harness market dynamics to promote sustainability.

1. We may also pursue policy goals by establishing financial incentives and then letting marketplace dynamics run their course.

10Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy.Permit trading saves moneyPermit trading = a government-created market in permits for an environmentally harmful activityBusinesses buy, sell, trade these permitsCap-and-trade emissions trading system = the government sets pollution levels (caps) and issues permitsPolluters can buy, sell, and trade these permitsPollution is reduced overall, but does increase around polluting plantsCompanies have an economic incentive to reduce emissions 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Permit trading is where the government creates a market in permits for an environmentally harmful activity, and then companies and utilities are allowed to buy, sell, or trade rights to conduct the activity.

a. For instance, to decrease emissions of air pollutants, a government might grant emissions permits and set up an emissions trading system.

In a cap-and-trade emissions trading system, the government first determines the overall amount of pollution it will accept (i.e., it caps the amount, at a level below what it would be in the absence of the program), and then issues permits that allow each entity to emit a certain fraction of that amount.

Polluters may buy, sell, and trade these permits with other polluters.

b. Although cap-and-trade programs can reduce pollution overall, they do allow hotspots of pollution to occur around plants that buy permits to pollute more.

11Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy.Cap-and-trade and air pollutionA cap-and-trade system in the U.S. mandates lower sulfur dioxide emissionsEmissions have decreased by 43%Cuts were obtained cheaper and more efficiently than command-and-control regulationWith no effects on supply or economic growthBenefits outweigh costs 40 to 1Markets in carbon emissions are sprouting up

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.12Categorize the three different approaches to environmental policy.Market incentives work at the local levelMunicipalities charge residents for waste disposal, according to the amount of waste generatedCities tax disposal of costly items (tires, motor oil)Some cities give rebates for buying water-efficient appliancesPower utilities give discounts to those buying efficient lightbulbs and appliancesWell-planned market incentives can reduce environmental impact while minimizing costs to industryEasing concerns about government intrusion 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.At all levels, from the local to the international, market-based incentives that are well planned and implemented can reduce environmental impact while minimizing overall costs to industry, easing concerns about the intrusiveness of government regulation.

13Categorize 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 workA private entity acts as overseerPublic policy goals will be achieved in a timely, cost-effective mannerPrivate entities try to maximize efficiencyIt is challenging to design workable partnerships while serving both private and public interests

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.In a public-private partnership, a for-profit entity takes charge of performing the work, while operating within confines agreed upon with a public entity that acts as an overseer.

14Delineate the steps of the environmental policy process and evaluate its effectiveness.Science, ethics, and economics help formulate policy Science = provides information and analysisEthics and economics = clarify how society can address problemsGovernment interacts with citizens, organizations, and the private sector 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Environmental policy and resource useScience, ethics, and economics help formulate policy Science = provides information and analysisEthics and economics = clarify how society can address problemsGovernment interacts with citizens, organizations, and the private sector

15Delineate the steps of the environmental policy process and evaluate its effectivenessSeven steps to making environmental policyCreating environmental policy has several stepsRequires initiative, dedication, and the support of many people

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Environmental policy results from a step-wise process.Step 1: Identify a problemThis requires curiosity, observation, record keeping, and an awareness of our relationship with the environment.

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Identifying the problem is the first step.17Step 2: Pinpoint causes of the problemInvolves scientific researchRisk assessment = judging risks a problem poses to health or the environment

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Pinpointing causes of the problem is the second step in the policy process.Step 3: Envision a solutionRisk management = developing strategies to minimize riskInvolves social or political action

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.The third step is envisioning a solution.Step 4: Get organizedOrganizations are more effective than individualsBut a motivated, informed individual can also succeed

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Getting organized is the fourth step.Step 5: Cultivate access and influenceLobbying = spending time and money to influence a politicianEnvironmental advocates are not the most influential lobbyists

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Cultivating access and influence is the fifth step

Lobbying is spending time or money trying to influence an elected officials decision.

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 campaignsCorporations and industries can not make direct campaign contributionsSo they establish PACs to help candidates winA 2010 Supreme Court decision allows corporations and unions to buy ads for or against candidatesThe revolving door = movement of people between the private sector and governmentIntimate knowledge of an issue or conflict of interest? 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Making campaign contributions is another way to get voices heard.

The movement of powerful officials between the private sector and governmental agencies helps gain political influence and is called the revolving door.Step 6: Shepherd the solution into lawPrepare a bill, or draft law, containing solutionsFind members of the House and Senate to introduce the bill and shepherd it through committeesThe bill may become law or die in various ways

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Shepherding a solution into law is the sixth step in the policy processStep 6: Shepherd the solution into law

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.Step 7: Implement, assess, and interpret policyFollowing a laws enactment Administrative agencies implement regulationsPolicymakers and others evaluate the policys successes or failuresThe judicial branch interprets the law

2011 Pearson Education, Inc.The final steps are to implement, access, and interpret policy.Data from scientific research are vital for informing policy.Effective decisions are informed by scientific researchA nations strength depends on its commitment to sciencePolicymakers may sometimes ignore or distort science for political ends, so we in the public need to remain vigilant.They let political ideology determine policyGovernment scientists have had their work censored, suppressed, or edited and their jobs threatenedUnqualified people were put into powerMost scientists greeted President Obama with reliefWhen taxpayer-funded research is suppressed or distorted for political ends, everyone losesDiscuss the role of science in the policy process 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.B. Science plays a role in policy formulation.

Economic interests, ethical values, and political ideology all influence the policy process; yet effective environmental policy is generally also informed by scientific research.

2. The more information a policymaker can glean from science, the better policy he or she will be able to create.

C. Science can be politicized. Sometimes policymakers choose to ignore science and instead allow political ideology alone to determine policy.

2. In 2004, the nonpartisan Union of Concerned Scientists released a statement titled, Restoring Scientific Integrity in Policy Making, which faulted the Bush Administration for manipulating scientific information for political ends: censoring, suppressing, and editing reports from government scientists; placing people who are unqualified or who have clear conflicts of interest in positions of power; ignoring scientific advice; and misleading the public by misrepresenting scientific knowledge.

TED VideoMajora Carter: Greening the Ghetto (18:33)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.With her inspired ideas and fierce persistence, Carter managed to bring the South Bronx its first open-waterfront park in 60 years.

Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings27