Chapter 16 Flashcards
what does it mean to divest yourself of fossil fuels?
you get rid of investments in the oil and gas industry.
A plan or statement of intentions and rules that outlines acceptable behaviors and accomplishes some end is known as a(n)
policy
the creation of _____________ in a democratic system include many influences; negotiation, compromise, citizen action, power, money, and open debate.
policy
Based on Pew research center poll from 2015, what percentage of people surveyed considered climate change a very serious threat?
84%, and 75% favored action to control green house emissions.
Why were insurance companies the first corporations to call for action on climate control?
they could lose billions for worsening storms and droughts.
Cities, countries, and universities are increasingly _______ themselves from fossil fuels; they are getting rid of there investments associated with the oil and gas industry
divesting
Which of the following are examples of the problem identification stage of policy creation?
- A citizen group identifies water pollutants and contacts their representatives to ask for population control.
- Hunting groups are concerned about the loss of wetland habitat and propose new protection ideas.
Environmental ___________involves practices and rules designed to protect natural resources and public health.
policy
policy cycle
- identify problem
- set agenda
- develop proposals
- build support
- enact law or rule
- implement policy
- evaluate results
- suggest changes
What factors are involved in the establishment of a policy?
- public interest
- negotiations and compromise
- power and money
precautionary principle
- people have the duty to take steps to prevent harm. if you suspect something bad might happen you have an obligation to stop it.
- the burden of proof for new technology, process, activity, or chemical lies with its developer and not the general public.
- before using a new technology, process, or chemical, or starting a new activity, there is an obligation to examine full range of alternatives, including the alternative of not using it.
- decisions using the precautionary principle must be open and democratic and must include the affected parties.
Universities are enacting policies for both moral and long-term _________reasons.
economic
Compared to the United States, the European Union(EU) has________ environmental policy standards for manufacturing processes, and this results in_____________________.
stricter; others countries having to adapt to the higher standards in order to have their product imported by the EU
A public group that is interested in wild birds is concerned that the numbers of certain warbler are dropping dramatically and they want to take action; this is the _________________ identification stage of policy creation.
problem
Why were many environmental policies established in the 1970s?
- there was strong bipartisan action in politics
- Environmental degradation was apparent
- the lobbying industry was still small
What does NEPA do?
National Environmental Policy Act
- it requires an environmental impact statement to be published for every major federal project likely to have an impact on environmental quality.
- it directs federal agencies to take environmental consequences into account in decision making.
- it authorizes the Council on Environmental quality.
Every environmental impact statement (EIS) must contain a(n) _____________.
- purpose and need for project
- alternatives to proposed action (including taking no action)
- positive and negative environmental impacts of proposed action.
- short term resource effects, and long term productivity
- irreversible effects on resources
How do American businesses deal with the stricter manufacturing standards of the EU?
they follow them so they can do business with companies in the EU
What are some common air quality concerns that the Clean Air Act protects against?
- Airborne metal such as mercury
- coal smoke
- Airborne sulfuric acid
Sulfur oxides, lead, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide are a few of the “_____________ pollutants” regulated under the Clean Air Act.
criteria
The first goals of the Clean Water Act were to ____________.
- identify and control end-of-the-pipe discharges from factories
- identify and control point-source pollutants
- identify and control discharges from sewage treatment plans
An analysis required by provisions in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970, determining the effects on the environment of any major program that a federal agency plans to undertake, is called a(n) ____________ _______________ Statement.
Environmental Impact
The ________ allows a species to be listed for varying levels of protection, and provides rules for protections.
Endangered species act
What is the purpose of the Clean Air Act?
- to identify, monitor, and reduce air contaminants
- To identify and regulate seven major air contaminants
- To provide the first nationally standardized rules in the United States for air pollutants.
A landowner discovers that a listed endangered species lives on their property. how might the ESA handle this?
the landowner could get a tax break for conserving the land.
Criteria pollutants
sulfur oxides lead carbon monoxide nitrogen oxides particulates volatile organic compounds metals and halogens (such as mercury and bromine compounds)
Which agencies are responsible for studying and attempting to restore threatened and endangered species.
Fish and wildlife service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972 aimed to ________.
Make U.S. waters “fishable and swimmable”
Superfund Act
Aims to be comprehensive, addressing abandoned sites, emergency spills, or uncontrolled contamination, and it allows the EPA to try to establish liability, so polluters help to pay for cleanup.
What does the Endangered Species Act do?
- the act provides a structure for identifying and listing species that are vulnerable, threatened, or endangered.
- The act provides rules for protecting endangered species and their habitat.
When the Superfund was created, it was funded by contributions from corporations that produce hazardous waste. Now it is _______________.
funded by individual taxpayers.
Which three entities are involved in the process of passing statutory laws?
The Senate
The house of Representatives.
The President
What can the Endangered Species Act (ESA) do when developers want to build on a site where endangered species is located?
Provide grants and tax reductions to protect habitats
Provide habitat and land-use planning assistance.
Individuals can be involved in the __________ process by writing or calling their elected representative, and showing up at public hearings
Legislative