Environmental Policy Agencies, Laws, and Issues

Policy Policy: an outline of actions, incentives, penalties, and rules that a company, group, or government follows concerning a certain issue.

Developing an Environmental Policy involves making decisions based on risk assesmmentcost/benefit analysis which involves Determining how much riskidentifying positive and is acceptablenegative impacts of environmental activities

Cost-benefit Analysis Example: What are the risks, costs, and benefits of controlling toxic waste discharge into streams? –Industry: increased cost of production and decreased profit –Townspeople: decreased health risk to those living near or using the stream

NO TALKING WHEN YOU ENTER THE CLASSROOM! You will receive a ZERO on your quiz if you talk…please be quiet!

LOCAL Policy Local and State governments have the most responsibility for maintaining environmental quality Personal concerns become community concerns (and change happens) when more people recognize the issue and understand how they are all affected –How? letters, protests, court action, voting

FEDERAL (Nationwide) Policy The Federal government gets involved in environmental issues when the actions of one state affect the quality of life in another state Example: Pollutants in the Mississippi River 27 states involved How to decide what is best for all?

FEDERAL Policy Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) –Responsible for managing and investigating environmental concerns so that effective laws can be developed –Deals with all environmental matters except those related to nuclear energy –Many divisions: Resources, Compliance, Environmental Justice, Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Water, etc.

INTERNATIONAL Policy When more than one country is involved in an environmental issue Developed vs. Developing Nations: –Developed: Dominate decision- and policy- making to benefit themselves in international organizations like the United Nations; Caution developing nations to protect their resources –Developing: Believe developed nations have already obtained their wealth and consumed earth’s resources for their own needs; Trying to obtain wealth through the sale of their resources

INTERNATIONAL Policy Examples: –Sea Turtles in Costa Rica –Bush meat and ivory/pelt black market trade in Africa –Rainforest vs. Farm land in South America

More Issues (Ideas for your HOMEWORK!!) Local Water Quality Clear-Cutting Trees Offshore Oil Drilling Use of Public Lands Disposal of Hazardous Wastes