chapter 7 Flashcards
Policy
s a formal set of plans and principles intended to
solve problems and aid decision making
public policy
includes laws, regulations, orders,
incentives, and practices enacted by the various levels
of government
environmental policy
specifically addresses our
interactions with the environment.
tragedy of the commons
a public pasture (or “common”) would be
overexploited as individuals acting in their own best
interest increase their grazing animals
external costs
are harmful impacts suffered by people not involved in
the actions that created them
polluter-pays principle
internalize costs by forcing
industries to deal with these impacts.
revolving door
The movement of individuals between the government and
private sector
Cooperative federalism
where a federal agency sets
standards and works with state agencies to achieve
them
Silent Spring
informing the public of the
ecological and health
impacts of industrial
chemicals like DDT.
public trust
doctrine
holding that natural resources should be held in
trust and protected by the government.(developed by Joseph Sax)
Clean Air Act
1963; amended 1970 and 1990
Sets standards for air quality,
restricts emissions from new
sources, enables citizens to sue
violators, funds research on
pollution control, and established
an emissions trading program for
sulphur dioxide. As a result, the
air we breathe today is far cleaner
Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act
1976
Sets standards and permitting
procedures for the disposal of
solid waste and hazardous waste
(p. 630). Requires that the
generation, transport, and
disposal of hazardous waste be
tracked “from cradle to grave.”
Endangered Species Act
1973
Seeks to protect species
threatened with extinction. Forbids
destruction of individuals of listed
species or their critical habitat on
public and private land, provides
funding for recovery efforts, and
allows negotiation with private
landholders
Clean Water Act
1977
Regulates the discharge of
wastes, especially from industry,
into rivers and streams (p.
409,415). Aims to protect wildlife
and human health and has helped
to clean up U.S. waterways.
Safe Drinking Water Act
1974
Authorizes the EPA to set
quality standards for tap water
provided by public water
systems and to work with states
to protect drinking water
sources from contamination
Soil and Water Conservation Act
1977
Directs the U.S. Department of
Agriculture to survey and assess soil
and water conditions across the nation
and prepare conservation plans.
Responded to worsening soil erosion
and water pollution on farms and
rangeland as production intensified.
Toxic Substances
Control Act
1976
Directs the EPA to monitor
thousands of industrial
chemicals and gives it power to
ban those found to pose too
much health risk (p. 384).
However, the number of
chemicals continues to increase
far too quickly for adequate
testing
CERCLA (“Superfund”)
1980
Funds the Superfund program to clean
up hazardous waste at the nation’s
most polluted sites (p. 638). Costs
were initially charged to polluters but
most are now borne by taxpayers. The
EPA continues to progress through
many sites that remain. Full name is
the Comprehensive Environmental
Response Compensation and Liability
Act.
environmental impact
statement (EIS)
be prepared for any major federal action
that might impact environmental quality
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA)
President Nixon issued an executive order consolidating
agencies that regulated water and air quality, solid waste,
and other issues
Green New Deal
is a non-binding congressional
resolution that sets ambitious goals, including a 100%
renewable power grid.
Globalization
describes the increased interconnectedness
of the world’s societies
Customary law
arises from long-standing practices or customs held in common by most
cultures
Conventional law
arises from conventions or treaties
United Nations (UN)
sponsors conferences,
coordinates treaties, and publishes research to promote
human rights and resolve global issues, including
environmental ones.
World Bank
funds dams, irrigation infrastructure,
and other development projects intended to benefit low-
income people in developing countries.
European Union (EU)
can sign binding treaties on
behalf of its 27 member nations and enact regulations
that have the same authority as national laws.
World Trade Organization (WTO)
represents
multinational corporations and can impose financial
penalties on nations that do not comply with its directives
Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
apply funding
and expertise to environmental problems
Command-and-control
policy is an approach where the
regulating agency (such as the E PA) prohibits certain actions
or sets limits, with punishment for violations
green tax
A tax on an environmentally harmful activity or product
subsidy
a government giveaway of money or
resources that is intended to support or promote an
industry or activity.
tax breaks
Subsidies often take the form of tax breaks
Emissions trading
is a system where the government
creates a market of permits for the emission of pollutants.
cap-and-trade
companies buy and sell a
limited number of permits among themselves, creating
a financial incentive to reduce the number of permits
needed by individual companies
