1. International Development and Cooperation
Sustainability is the condition in which human needs are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefinitely.
We live in a time of globalization, where governments, organizations, and business around the world have a need to work together.
Scientists do not agree on how humans are affecting the planet’s ecosystems.

2. International Development and Cooperation
People debate about whether current levels of population growth and resource use are sustainable, and who is responsible for environmental problems.
People worldwide are worried about running short of resources such as fertile soil and fresh water.

3. Sustainable Development
Many meetings and agreements among international governments have dealt with environmental concerns along with economic and political concerns.
The Earth Summit of 1992, for example, was a sign of new levels of international environmental awareness and cooperation.

4. Climate and Atmosphere
International organizations and agreements related to climate and the atmosphere also exist.
The Kyoto Protocol, for example, attempted to avoid or slow down global warming by reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.
The United States did not sign this particular treaty mainly because it would be costly to implement and it did not guarantee a stable climate.

5. Economics and the Environment
Economics is the study of how individuals and groups make decisions about the production, distribution, and consumption of limited resources as they attempt to fulfill their needs and wants.
Economists say that an economic system is successful when there is an increase in the flow of money and products within a market.
Economies, however, draw resources from the environment and may return waste or cause damage.
Economic systems are, in fact, contained within and dependent upon the environment.

6. Regulation and Economic Incentives
The government has tried many ways to regulate environmental damage such as pollution.
Governments have created economic incentives by paying out money for actions that benefit society.
Governments may also punish people with fines and sentences for actions that harm the environment.
However, regulations are criticized when they are difficult to enforce, do not distribute costs evenly, or do not control environmental damage.

7. Private Efforts
Businesses and private organizations also play a role in addressing environmental problems.
Businesses may donate land for parks or preserves, donate money to environmental causes, or recycle their wastes.
Private organizations often cooperate with each other and with governments to conduct research or create plans for environmental management.

8. Private Efforts
Nonprofit organizations, such as the Nature Conservancy, use a simple economic strategy of collecting donations to purchase land to preserve ecosystems.
This group has created preserves in all 50 states and in more than 30 countries.

9. History of U.S. Environmental Policy
During the 1800s, people in the United States made use of the country’s vast resources by turning prairies into cropland, cutting down ancient forests, and hunting several species of animals to extinction.
By the 1900s, however, citizens began to realize the consequences of these actions and their attitudes began to change.

10. History of U.S. Environmental Policy
Leaders such as President Theodore Roosevelt and conservationist John Muir called for increased protection and management of the nation’s resources.
Many national forests and parks, and agencies to manage them, were established around the early 1900s.

11. Environmental Agencies and Laws
Throughout the 1900s, U.S. citizens became more aware of environmental problems.
The first Earth Day, celebrated around the world in 1970, was a sign of widespread environmental awareness.
In the same year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created.
U.S. lawmakers have created many policies and federal agencies to manage environmental affairs.

12. Environmental Agencies and Laws

13. Environmental Impact Statements
An Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) is an assessment of the effect of a proposed project on the environment.
Proposals for the construction of dams, highways, airports, and other projects that the federal government controls or funds must be evaluated with an EIS.
An EIS states the need for a project, its impact on the environment, and how any negative impact can be minimized.
Environmental impact analysis or assessment
Step 1 – Environmental assessment: what is the environmental impact of the federal action
Step 2 – Result of Step 1 is Finding of no significant impact or EIS
EIS – 1-purpose and need of the proposed action 2-description of affected environment 3-range of alternatives to proposed action (MAIN) 4-analysis of environmental impacts of each alternative

14. Unfunded Mandates and Economic Impacts
In 1995, Congress passed a law to prevent unfunded mandates, which are federal regulations that do not provide funds for state or local governments to implement the regulations.
These limits reduce the federal government’s power to pass environmental laws because they must now provide funding for any new laws that will cost more than 50 million dollars to implement.
Examples: requiring public transit agencies to upgrade security measures, training programs and background checks; requiring commuter railroads to install train control technology; requiring green technology

15. Local Governments
Local government is more responsive to citizen input than state or federal governments are.
Local governments can decide:
how land may be used and developed,
where businesses and housing may be located,
create plans for public facilities, for waste disposal and recycling,
many other facets of local life.
Closer to home is more likely to listen to you, you are their direct constituents
Things get put to a vote

16. State Governments
Individual states are usually free to create laws with higher standards than the minimum standards set by the federal government.
For example, California’s vehicle emission standards are higher than the federal standards because the state wants to control its problems with air pollution caused by traffic.
States have a lot of independent control over how to implement laws and manage public resources.
Semi trucks have posted on the door this vehicle passes California emissions regulations

17. The Media and Sources of Information
The media, especially television news, is the main source of information about environmental topics for most of us.
If you want to understand environmental problems, you will want to find information from sources other than popular media.
Many other sources are available, and you should evaluate all sources for bias and accuracy.
Good traits of a scientist: Curiosity and skepticism
Current event assignment = good chance to look at other sources

18. Rising Awareness
Also in the 1960s, several environmental disasters made headlines and helped raise public awareness.
Eventually, pressure from the public led to new laws and efforts to reduce environmental damage.
The first Earth Day, in 1970, was a historic demonstration of public concern for environmental issues.
Early 1960s Lake Erie lost its fish because of runoff (algal bloom),1966 smog in NY killed 80 people, 1967 oil spill in CA, 1969 river in OH burst into flames (chemical effluents)

19. Voting
One of the most important decisions you may make is in the act of voting. The people we elect will make decisions that affect our environmental future.
The candidates stance on environmental issues can be researched through the media, voter organizations, and Web sites.
Another way to take action on environmental problems is to join a group of people who share your concerns and interests.
What are the stances of the presidential candidates?
Join a support group
Eco club on campus

20. Weighing the Evidence
We have the responsibility to educate ourselves as we make decisions that affect the world around us.
Do not be misled by information that may look convincing but that has no supporting evidence.
A popular environmental slogan is to “think globally, act locally.” This slogan reminds us that our everyday actions have broader effects.
What can you do in your community that would help the environment and therefor the globe

21. Consumer Choices
Another environmental slogan you may have heard is “reduce, reuse, recycle.”
As consumers, we can reduce the amount of things we buy and use, we can reuse things that are often used only once, and we can recycle many materials.
As a consumer, you may choose to buy products that are produced sustainably or that do less damage to the environment.
Products that say they are made from recycled products: napkins, lotsa paper products