The Eu 's Environmental Policy

From the dawn of modernization, our environment's problems have been a pivotal issue which seems to be a natural need for humankind that penetrates almost to every facet of people's life from all walks of life. Hitherto, preferable means of a possible way to preserve our world from catastrophic events have been discussed by a plethora of dignitaries. A question that might arise here is, whether the best way for protecting the environment is funding the research for developing new energy sources, or preserving natural locations, or enact laws. A consensus has yet to be reached; however, I am personally on the belief that the former carries more weight. Two prominent reasons that can support the contention would be elaborated in the following

Environmental issues have been a part of living on earth since the beginning of time. The only issue with this however, is that resolutions have only just recently been put in place. Environmental concerns have only been discussed since the last half of the twentieth century. While some small steps were taken here and there, The European Union was the first to deliberate environmental policy in an attentive and compulsory nature. The European Union has some of the highest environmental standards to date. These standards have been evolving since the Paris Summit meeting of the European Community that took place in October 1972. The Paris Summit of 1972 was the first to introduce environmental policy on such a vast scale. One outcome of the summit was a declaration on environmental and consumer policy which gave the Environmental Commission the authority to establish the First Environmental Action Programme (EAP) to implement environmental policy. An EAP is essentially a strategic policy document which reflects the fundamental elements of contemporary environmental thinking and problem perceptions, as well as strategic policy orientation. (http://wwweeborg/publication/chapter-3pdf) It is based on a proposal from the Commission, but is now subject to a full legislative procedure leading to agreement between

She reviews the history of environmental progress. In the 1980s there was political movements and changes in environmental activism. However, with the emergence of neoliberal capitalism, there has been an escalation in environmental destruction (increase in greenhouse gas emissions). The first part of the book, she critiques free market fundamentalism, conservative politics and climate change denial, corporate opposition to regulation, the conflict between international trade agreements and renewable energy, the global outsourcing

In reference to your opening paragraph, the author of the textbook, The Environmental Policy Paradox, wrote that the problems policy makers and environmentalists face are economic and political. And this is also similar to what have discussed in class so far in regards to environmental regulations. Now you made a strong argument that “If American business is the engine of growth that our politicians make it out to be, why can't we find new ways to do things that save money, cut pollution, and make our companies more competitive,” this question can spark a heated debate that might probably have no end, most especially when you have a country that is governed by, technically, two- party system (Republicans and Democrats). Saying that many Republicans

The European Union has developed approaches similar to those implemented in the United States. The European Union has set standards for particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, lead, and other pollutants that are harmful to health and the environment (Air Legislation, 2016). This list of pollutants is essentially a more expanded list of criteria pollutants set forth by the EPA. However, the European Union has taken a step further and set a national ceiling for pollutants, which means that countries in the EU must keep their total emission levels of pollutants under a specified level (Air Legislation, 2016). Some pollutants, like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, have permitted exceedances each year where the concentration can exceed the ceiling in place, but even the largest exceedances are below 10% of the calendar days (35 days/ year) (Air Quality Standards, 2016). This aggressive approach has successfully resulted in decreased air pollution in Europe. Since the European Union is comprised of many countries, it is the country’s discretion on how to manage the pollutants so that they remain below the legal limit, which is similar to the approach the United States has on managing criteria pollutants. Of course,

The author successfully incorporates many environmental initiatives and efforts into a comprehensive plan for moving forward. She embraces and encourages these efforts, but argues they are just placing more Band-Aids on a leaky pipe, rather than dealing with the problem at hand, they are just not big or powerful enough. Rather, Leonard asserts there must be a civic engagement part to bring the accountability and responsibility back to the government and corporations (175). Leonard makes a great point, but

In conversations globally the environment is a hot topic. Issues with the ozone layer, depleting natural resources, and health risks associated with emissions and changes in climate coupled with its resulting natural disasters; have pushed conservation issues into the spotlight. The environmental issues presented today are not the result of one country, one type, or one-industry actions but a communal failure of a mixture of several. With that said many countries and industries are going through policy changes to combat environmental issues that will hopefully benefit the environment, the consumer, and industries.

Organizations and Institutions are the groundwork that develops the politics of successful environmental policy making, this is another prominent theme within the text. Policy making is largely influenced by the most important institutions, as well as competing constitutional authority, shared powers, and experience. Rosenbaum effectively explains the powers and authorities within the Presidency, the Executive Office of the President, Congress, Bureaucracies, and the

In fact, the institutionalization of environmental movements is well documented (Rootes 2004). Potentially, the ballot initiative was not a reaction to technocracy but an attempt to bring the EIA into existing frameworks of decision making. As ballot initiatives have been available to Washington’s voters since 1912 (Matsusaka 2005). In fact, direct democracy is so well established that during the general election of 1998 $400 million was spent nationally on ballot initiatives (Matsusaka 2005). While in comparison only $326 million was spent during the entire 2000 presidential election, primaries and general, including all parties (Matsusaka 2005).

People perspective become more biocentric and the EPA passed more environmental protection policies such as Clean Air Act (‘63,’65,’70,’77,’90) to decrease the air polluted functional; Endangered Species Act (1973,’82,’85.’88) to protect threatened species and increasing their population; Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (1977) to requires reclamation of land mined. EPA is a powerful organization and relate to the legislation of air, water, foods, lands, endangered species, hazardous wastes,i.e,

Naturally the capitalistic world that we live in breeds competition, in turn leading to powerful private interests. This has resulted in powerful industrial partnerships with political figures. In order to bring our society forward we must act for change, to encourage modernization, overcoming the stacked odds. The only way to influence our country’s dependency on carbon-based energy is to make way for environmental advocates at all levels of policy. The Paris Climate Change efforts have us headed in the right direction, even though they hold no legal international clout. Individual countries are held responsible through the social pressures created by groups like the UNFCC, along with renewable industrial interests, has led to country social responsibility. Country social responsibility has been promoted by voluntary climate efforts, which resulted in ambitious goal allowing countries to claim leadership on a global issue. Our efforts would ideally result in net-zero emissions in developed and developing countries alike by 2050. The technology is available, but modernization has a social aspect as well. This is essential to promote environmental policy, in order to pressure industrial powers. We can only be successful if we change our current social patterns into virtuous environmental forms.

Thirdly, economists claim that command and control policies are written by the EPA and legislators hence there exists a possibility that the policy might be politically compromised or biased (Hall., et al. (2013). In most cases, existing firms often lobby that stricter environmental standards should not be applicable to them but for infant, firms wishing to start production. Hence, real world environmental laws are filled with loopholes

Naturally the capitalistic world that we live in breeds competition, in turn leading to powerful private interests. This has resulted in powerful industrial partnerships with political figures. In order to bring our society forward, we must act for change to encourage modernization, overcoming the stacked odds. The only way to influence our country’s dependency on carbon-based energy is to make way for environmental advocates at all levels of policy. The Paris Climate Change efforts have us headed in the right direction, even though they hold no legal international clout. Individual countries are held responsible through the social pressures created by groups like the UNFCC, along with renewable industrial interests, has led to country social responsibility. Country social responsibility has been promoted by voluntary climate efforts, which resulted in ambitious goals, allowing countries to claim leadership on a global issue. Our efforts would ideally result in net-zero emissions in developed and developing countries alike by 2050. The technology is available, but modernization has a social aspect as well. This is essential to promote environmental policy, in order to pressure industrial powers. We can only be successful if we change our current social patterns into virtuous environmental forms.

Environmental issues have been a cause of a lot of debate in the recent past. Governments and nongovernmental organizations have been in constant consultations on how to help protect the environment. Apparently, as a result of man’s many actions, the natural environment is getting torn apart so quickly that the coming generations will not enjoy this kind of environment, unless a

“Unquestionably the EU now exerts the most important and effective influence on both British and Irish environmental policy and politics (McGowan, 1999: 175).” The European Union has developed itself into one of the world leaders in relation to environmental standards and its ability to apply legislation to its member states. Both, at present and in the past, challenges and opportunities have been encountered, and will continue to be encountered into the future. Indeed, Europe now directly impacts on food producers and manufacturers through the implementation of various policies such as the Nitrates Directive and issues surrounding Climate Change - both of which are the dealt with in this paper respectively. Through these and other