You have 3 free guides left 😟
Unlock your guides7.5 Environmental Policy and Climate Change
5 min read•august 16, 2024
Environmental policy and climate change are crucial aspects of US governance, balancing ecological preservation with economic growth. These issues involve complex federal laws, regulatory debates, and international agreements, reflecting the ongoing struggle to address environmental challenges effectively.
From the to the , policymakers grapple with scientific uncertainty, economic impacts, and global cooperation. The push for and highlights the evolving nature of environmental policy in the face of climate change.
Environmental Policies and Regulations in the US
Major Federal Environmental Laws
Top images from around the web for Major Federal Environmental Laws
Costs and Benefits of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments | CEPR Blog | CEPR View original
Is this image relevant?
Costs and Benefits of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments | CEPR Blog | CEPR View original
Is this image relevant?
Clean Water Act - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
Costs and Benefits of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments | CEPR Blog | CEPR View original
Is this image relevant?
Costs and Benefits of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments | CEPR Blog | CEPR View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Major Federal Environmental Laws
Costs and Benefits of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments | CEPR Blog | CEPR View original
Is this image relevant?
Costs and Benefits of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments | CEPR Blog | CEPR View original
Is this image relevant?
Clean Water Act - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
Costs and Benefits of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments | CEPR Blog | CEPR View original
Is this image relevant?
Costs and Benefits of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments | CEPR Blog | CEPR View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- Clean Air Act of 1970 establishes national air quality standards and regulates emissions from stationary sources (factories) and mobile sources (vehicles)
- of 1972 regulates pollutant discharge into US waters and sets quality standards for surface waters (lakes, rivers)
- of 1973 provides for conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and their habitats
- (NEPA) of 1969 requires federal agencies to assess environmental effects of proposed actions before making decisions
- (RCRA) of 1976 governs disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste
- (CERCLA) enacted in 1980 addresses cleanup of hazardous waste sites (Love Canal)
- Also known as
- Establishes liability for responsible parties in contamination cases
- Creates a trust fund for cleaning up abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Established in 1970 to implement and enforce most federal environmental laws and regulations
- Responsible for setting and enforcing standards for air and water quality
- Conducts environmental assessment, monitoring, and research
- Issues permits for pollution discharge and waste management
- Oversees cleanup of contaminated sites under Superfund program
- Provides grants to state environmental programs and educational initiatives
- Collaborates with other federal agencies on environmental issues (Department of Interior, Department of Energy)
Debates on Government Role in Environmental Issues
Regulatory Approaches and Federalism
- vs in environmental policy implementation
- Command-and-control sets specific standards or technologies (scrubbers on smokestacks)
- Market-based uses economic incentives like or carbon taxes
- Federal vs state-level environmental regulation debates
- Issues of federalism and states' rights in environmental policy
- Arguments for federal uniformity vs state flexibility and innovation
- Economic costs of environmental regulations impact on businesses and job markets
- Short-term compliance costs vs long-term benefits and innovation
- Effects on competitiveness of regulated industries
Balancing Priorities and Scientific Uncertainty
- Appropriate balance between environmental protection and resource extraction
- conflicts (drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge)
- Preservation vs conservation approaches to natural resources
- Role of scientific evidence in environmental policymaking
- Challenges of addressing scientific uncertainty in policy decisions
- Debates over precautionary principle vs wait-and-see approaches
- Government's responsibility in addressing long-term environmental challenges vs short-term economic priorities
- considerations in environmental policy
- Discounting future costs and benefits in policy analysis
- Extent of government intervention in promoting renewable energy and reducing fossil fuel dependence
- Debates over subsidies, tax incentives, and regulations for energy transition
- Arguments for market-driven vs government-led approaches to energy policy
Effectiveness of International Climate Agreements
Evolution of Global Climate Frameworks
- (UNFCCC) provides foundation for international climate negotiations
- Established in 1992 at Rio Earth Summit
- Sets overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle climate change
- 's approach to setting binding emission reduction targets for developed countries
- Adopted in 1997, entered into force in 2005
- Set specific emissions reductions for industrialized nations
- Limitations included lack of commitments for developing countries and non-participation of major emitters (United States)
- Paris Agreement's shift to nationally determined contributions and global temperature goals
- Adopted in 2015, entered into force in 2016
- Aims to limit global temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels
- All countries set their own national targets (Nationally Determined Contributions)
Challenges and Impacts of International Agreements
- Enforcing international climate agreements and lack of strong punitive measures for non-compliance
- Reliance on diplomatic pressure and "naming and shaming" rather than legal enforcement
- Challenges of sovereignty in international environmental law
- Impact of major emitters' participation or withdrawal from agreements on global effectiveness
- Effects of US withdrawal and subsequent rejoin of Paris Agreement
- Role of emerging economies like China and India in global emissions reductions
- Financial mechanisms like support developing countries' climate actions
- Aims to mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020 for mitigation and adaptation in developing countries
- Challenges in meeting funding targets and allocating resources effectively
- Effectiveness of international agreements in driving national policy changes and technological innovations for emissions reduction
- Increased adoption of renewable energy technologies globally
- Implementation of carbon pricing mechanisms in various countries (EU Emissions Trading System)
Economic Growth vs Environmental Protection
Sustainable Development and Economic Impacts
- Sustainable development balances economic, social, and environmental goals
- Defined by Brundtland Commission as development that meets present needs without compromising future generations
- Incorporates concepts of intergenerational equity and limits to growth
- Short-term economic costs of environmental regulations vs long-term benefits
- Immediate compliance costs for industries vs long-term resource conservation and public health improvements
- Examples include initial costs of pollution control equipment vs reduced healthcare costs from improved air quality
- Addressing global environmental issues while maintaining national economic competitiveness
- Concerns about "" where strict regulations in one country lead to increased emissions elsewhere
- Proposals for border carbon adjustments to level the playing field in international trade
Technological Innovation and Market Solutions
- Technological innovation reconciles economic growth with environmental protection
- Development of clean energy technologies (solar, wind, energy storage)
- Advancements in energy efficiency and sustainable manufacturing processes
- Market-based solutions address environmental externalities
- Carbon pricing mechanisms (cap-and-trade systems, carbon taxes)
- (PES) programs incentivize conservation
- Environmental regulations impact different economic sectors
- Challenges of equitable transition policies for affected industries and workers
- Examples include coal industry decline vs growth in renewable energy sector
- Economic opportunities and job creation in green industries vs job losses in traditional, high-polluting sectors
- Growth of green jobs in sectors like renewable energy, energy efficiency, and environmental consulting
- Transition challenges for workers in fossil fuel industries and need for retraining programs
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
