1. Environmental Policy How Citizens Interact With The World Around Them

2. Why do we care?

7. Why Should We Care? The primary reason why governments try to preserve the environment is to protect public health Dirty air and water make people sick

8. Public Health Concern Tens of thousands of people in China die every year due to respiratory disease because the air is so polluted. Asthma is often linked to environmental factors

9. Why Should We Care? We also preserve the environment for future generations National and state parks ensure that your children’s children can enjoy nature too (camping)

10. Land Conservation Keep land open, and available for the public, and away from private owners and business that will pollute it

11. Environmental Goals Make sure air and water are clean –Dirty air and water not only makes humans sick, but can also kill wildlife populations Preserve trees and open space –According to Urbanite, two large trees create enough oxygen for a family of four

12. Policy #1 - Recycling Recycling is good for the environment because it limits the amount of waste that goes into landfills. Mayor Dixon changed the trash policy in Baltimore City to be more “green” –Old: Recycling 2x/month, Trash 2x/week –New: Recycling AND Trash 1x/week

14. Policy #2 - Tax Credits A tax credit is like a tax coupon. If you do something good for the government, you don’t have to pay as much tax. For example, a government might give tax credits to companies who install solar panels on their buildings.

15. Policy #3 - Pollution Limits The government creates limits on the amount of pollution a company can create during production. If they pollute above this limit, they are fined or can be closed down for repeat offenses.

16. Policy #4 - Fuel Standards When cars burn gasoline to run their engine, pollution is created. The government has set fuel standards so that cars must be able to run a set number of miles per gallon If you drive 60 miles per week: –15 mpg means you burn 4 gallons of gas –30 mpg means you burn 2 gallons of gas

17. Land Use & Zoning

18. Focus Question What decisions can the government make about what gets built where? How does this impact the people and environment?

19. QUESTION 1 What words would you use to describe the following pictures?

20. Smog in Los Angeles, California

21. Smog is a form of air pollution caused by waste into the atmosphere

23. Smog threatens the public’s health. It can lead to lung disease, breathing complications

24. QUESTION 2 Are there any environmental hazards or threats that are harmful to health in your neighborhood? If so, what are they?

25. Public Policy Reminder Two TYPES of policy Public Policy The ways that a government addresses social concerns through legislation (lawmaking) Domestic Policy Taxes, Crime, Housing Development, Healthcare, Pollution in U.S. Lakes & Cities Foreign Policy Terrorism, Afghanistan war, Nuclear Weapons, Trade, Pollution in World

26. When water is polluted it becomes a health hazard to both human and animal wildlife.

27. Birds are consuming plastic, rather than fish from the ocean, and dying

28. “The Great Pacific Garbage Dump”

29. The garbage patch continues to grow...

31. QUESTION 3 On a scale of 1 to 10, how serious do you consider the trash in the ocean to be?

32. Due to the large amount of human waste, landfills have been created.

33. Landfill, also known as a dump, is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial

34. Diagram of a landfill

35. Landfills are growing across American cities

36. Landfill in Baltimore City

37. Baltimore has big landfills. Trash is increasingly threatening public health in neighborhoods.

38. Dirty water spreads and will impact people through shower use, consumption of water Trash collected in the Inner Harbor

39. QUESTION 4 Some in the media have called Baltimore a “dirty city”. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain.

40. Government’s Environmental Goals Make sure air and water are clean Preserve trees and open space

41. Government’s Environmental Policy ?? ??

42. Fuel StandardsRecycling Tax Credits (Coupon)Pollution Limits

43. QUESTION 5: In your opinion, which environmental policy below will be most effective? Why # 1- Recycling - limits waste going into landfills # 2- Fuel Standards - cars have to run a set limit of miles per gallon # 3- Pollution Limits - sets a number limit on amount of pollution a company can create during production #4- Tax Credits - Companies that have environment-friendly policies get a credit (coupon) on taxes. They are taxed less by government.

45. Let’s Start With Definitions Smart Growth is well-planned development that keeps tax dollars in our communities and provides more choices for our families. Sprawl is irresponsible development that takes our tax dollars away from our community and destroys farmland and open space.

46. Sprawl Vs. Smart Growth

47. Sprawl Creates Traffic Congestion Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth?

48. Everything is a Drive Away Home School Shops Workplace Recreation Suburban mothers spend 17 full days a year behind the wheel, more than the average parent spends dressing, bathing and feeding a child Source: Surface Transportation Policy Project Source: Surface Transportation Policy Project Soccer Moms Become Cab Driver Moms

49. Why Do People Prefer Smarter Growth? Smart Growth Provides More Transportation Choices

50. QUESTION 6 On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate Baltimore’s public transportation system (light rail, bus line)? How could the city government improve it?

51. Sprawl Provides Few or No Options for Pedestrians and Cyclists Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth?

52. Smart Growth Allows Farmers and Communities to Save Farmland Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth?

53. Sprawl Consumes Open Space Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth?

54. Smart Growth Costs Less Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth? Roads Utilities Schools 25% less 15% less 5% less 5% less Source: Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Alternative Land Use Patterns, by Robert Burchell, Rutgers University

55. In 1997, approximately 113 million people lived in counties that had unhealthy air quality Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Sprawl Pollutes the Environment and Harms Public Health Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth?

56. Smart Growth Protects the Health of People and the Environment Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth?

57. Sprawl Takes Resources Away from Our Communities Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth?

58. Smart Growth Achieves the Right Balance Smart Growth Enhances (Grows) Our Communities!!

59. Smart Growth Achieves the Right Balance Smart Growth Enhances (Grows) Our Communities!!

60. Smart Growth Achieves the Right Balance Smart Growth Enhances (Grows) Our Communities!!

61. QUESTION 7 Would you support a Smart Growth development plan for your community or neighborhood? Why or why not?

62. QUESTION 8: HSA SAMPLE 8) The Clean Air Act of 1970 set broad national goals for the reduction of air pollution. Which of these was a direct result of this act? a) Prices of automobiles declined b) Fewer automobiles traveled on highways c) Automobile smog problems were eliminated d) Automobile makers redesigned automobile engines

63. QUESTION 8: HSA SAMPLE 8) The Clean Air Act of 1970 set broad national goals for the reduction of air pollution. Which of these was a direct result of this act? a) Prices of automobiles declined b) Fewer automobiles traveled on highways c) Automobile smog problems were eliminated d) Automobile makers redesigned automobile engines

64. Study the headline above and answer question 9) Which of these government actions would most likely be used to solve the problem above? a) Construction of a new landfill b) Decreased regulation of the auto industry c) Increased enforcement of emission standards d) Tax breaks for businesses that increase production

65. Study the headline above and answer question 9) Which of these government actions would most likely be used to solve the problem above? a) Construction of a new landfill b) Decreased regulation of the auto industry c) Increased enforcement of emission standards d) Tax breaks for businesses that increase production

66. QUESTION 10: HSA SAMPLE 10) Which of these is the goal of a state law to reduce air and water pollution? a) Expanding the economy b) Promoting economic equity c) Ensuring public health d) Protecting individual rights