MILLERSPOOLMAN LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT Chapter 24 Politics

MILLER/SPOOLMAN LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT Chapter 24 Politics, Environment, and Sustainability 17 TH

Denis Hayes—A Practical Environmental Visionary • How human societies can benefit from organizing themselves on ecological principles • Bullitt Foundation in Seattle • Urban ecological issues • Business based on ecological principles • Organized first Earth Day in 1970 • Held many important positions

Denis Hayes Fig. 24 -1, p. 637

24 -1 The Role of Government in the Transition to More Sustainable Societies • Concept 24 -1 Through its policies, a government can help to protect environmental and public interests, and to encourage more environmentally sustainable economic development.

Government Can Serve Environmental and Other Public Interests (1) • Balance between government intervention and free enterprise • Government is the best mechanism to deal with • Full-cost pricing • Market failures • The tragedy of the commons

Government Can Serve Environmental and Other Public Interests (2) • Policies and politics • Environmental policy • Policy life cycle: 4 stages • • Recognition Formulation Implementation Control

Recognition Identify the problem Nonpoint-source water pollution Indoor air pollution Electronic waste Mining wastes Control Monitor and adjust Outdoor air pollution Sewage treatment problems Drinking water pollution Point-source water pollution Municipal solid waste Some infectious diseases Groundwater contamination Environmentally harmful subsidies Exclusion of environmentally harmful costs from market prices Implementation Implement solutions Acid deposition Ozone depletion Formulation Look for solutions Climate change Urban sprawl Nuclear wastes Biodiversity losses Toxic wastes Aquifer depletion Municipal solid waste Endangered species Pest damage Soil erosion Stepped Art Fig. 24 -2, p. 639

Democracy Does Not Always Allow for Quick Solutions (1) • Democracy • United States is a constitutional democracy • Three branches of government • Legislative • Executive • Judicial

Democracy Does Not Always Allow for Quick Solutions (2) • Special-interest groups pressure the government • Profit-making organizations • Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) • Politicians focus on problems with short-term effects, not long-term

Certain Principles Can Guide Us in Making Environmental Policy (1) 1. The humility principle 2. The reversibility principle 3. The net energy principle 4. The precautionary principle

Certain Principles Can Guide Us in Making Environmental Policy (2) 5. The preventive principle 6. The polluter-pays principle 7. The environmental justice principle • How will these principles be implemented?

24 -2 How Is Environmental Policy Made? • Concept 24 -2 A Policy making involves enacting laws, funding programs, writing rules, and enforcing those rules with government oversight—a complex process that is affected at each stage by political processes. • Concept 24 -2 B Individuals can work together to become part of political processes that influence how environmental policies are made and whether or not they succeed. (Individuals matter. )

How Democratic Government Works: The U. S. Model • Three branches • Legislative branch • Executive branch • Judicial branch • Develop and implement policy • Laws, regulation, and funding • Lobbying

Laws Legislative branch Executive branch Lobbyists Courts Regulators Public hearing Civil suits Environmental organizations Corporations and small businesses Patronize or boycott Membership support Individuals Purchase recyclable, recycled, and Reuse and recycle. Plant an Donate clothes and Use water, environmentally various items organic garden used goods to energy, and other safe products charities resources efficiently Walk, ride a bike, or use a carpool or mass transit Fig. 24 -3, p. 642

Major Environmental Laws and Amended Versions Enacted in the U. S. Since 1969 Fig. 24 -4, p. 643

Developing Environmental Policy Is a Controversial Process • Funding needed • Regulations and rules needed to implement the law • Policy: important role of environmental regulatory agencies • Regulated businesses try to have their members appointed to regulatory agency

Case Study: Managing Public Lands in the United States—Politics in Action (1) • 35% of the U. S. , ¾ in Alaska, 1/5 in West • Federal public land • • • U. S. Forest Service: National Forest System Bureau of Land Management U. S. Fish and Wildlife: National Wildlife Refuges National Park System National Wilderness Preservation System Different restrictions for each

Case Study: Managing Public Lands in the United States—Politics in Action (2) • Conservation biologists/environmental economists 1. Used primarily for protecting biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and ecosystems 2. No subsidies or tax breaks for extracting public resources 3. Fair compensation for American people for use and resource extraction 4. All users/extractors of public resources are fully responsible for environmental damages

Case Study: Managing Public Lands in the United States—Politics in Action (3) • Developers/resource extractors 1. Sell lands/resources at below-market value, or let state and local governments manage lands 2. Slash funding for management of public lands 3. Cut old-growth forests and replace them with tree farms 4. Open all public lands to oil drilling, mining, off-road vehicles, and commercial development 5. Build new privately-run concessions and theme parks in national parks

Yosemite National Park Fig. 24 -6, p. 646

Natural Capital: National Forest, National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, U. S. Fig. 24 -5, p. 645

Fossil Fuel Reserves in North America Figure 18, Supplement 8

Science and Politics—Principles and Procedures (1) • Four principles of science 1. Any scientific claim must be based on hard evidence and be subject to peer review 2. Scientists can never establish absolute truth 3. Scientists vigorously debate the validity of scientific research 4. Science advances through open sharing and peer review of research methods, results, and conclusions

Science and Politics—Principles and Procedures (2) • Politics 1. Politicians are most concerned with getting reelected 2. Disregard scientific evidence, or pick and choose facts to support a political position 3. Personal attacks versus discussion of facts 4. Spread of disinformation in media/online

Individuals Can Influence Environmental Policy • Individuals matter • 2007: Chinese citizens opposed construction of a chemical plant • Mobile phone text messaging spread the word • “Think globally; act locally”

Children in Turin, Italy, Protesting High Levels of Air Pollution Fig. 24 -7, p. 646

What Can You Do? Influencing Environmental Policy Fig. 24 -8, p. 647

Environmental Leaders Can Make a Big Difference 1. Lead by example 2. Campaign and vote for informed and eco-friendly candidates 3. Run for local office 4. Propose and work for better solutions to environmental problems

24 -3 What Is the Role of Environmental Law in Dealing with Environmental Problems? • Concept 24 -3 We can use environmental laws and regulations to help control pollution, set safety standards, encourage resource conservation, and protect species and ecosystems.

Environmental Law Forms the Basis for Environmental Policy • Environmental law • Body of laws and treaties that broadly define what is acceptable environmental behavior • Most environmental lawsuits are civil suits • • • Plaintiff Defendant Injunction Class action suit Negligence

Open Ditch Containing Acid Runoff from a Closed Coal Mine In West Virginia Fig. 24 -9, p. 648

Environmental Lawsuits Are Difficult to Win (1) 1. Legal standing: has the plaintiff suffered health or financial problems? 2. Very expensive 3. Public interest law firms: usually can’t recover attorney’s fees 4. Have you been harmed and did the company cause the harm?

Environmental Lawsuits Are Difficult to Win (2) 5. Statutes of limitation 6. Appeals: years to settle 7. Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) • Major reforms are needed

Individuals Matter: Diane Wilson • 1989: Lavaca, Bay, TX, U. S. • Hg superfund site • Sued Formosa Plastics • Author and activist for environmental and social justice

Diane Wilson, author of An Unreasonable Woman Fig. 24 -A, p. 649

Major Types of Environmental Laws in the United States (1) • Set standards for pollution levels • Screens new substances • Encourages resource conservation

Major Types of Environmental Laws in the United States (2) • Sets aside or protects certain species, resources, and ecosystems • Requires evaluation of the environmental impact of an activity proposed by a federal agency • National Environmental Policy Act, NEPA, 1970 • Environmental impact statement needed for every major federal project that could have an impact on the environment

U. S. Environmental Laws and Regulations Have Been under Attack (1) • Who opposes U. S. environmental laws? • Some corporate leaders and other powerful people • Some citizens who see threats to private property rights • Some state and local officials who don’t like being forced to implement federal laws and regulations • Why the opposition? • Environmental issues not as easy to see now • Environmentalists as bearers of bad news

U. S. Environmental Laws and Regulations Have Been under Attack (2) • Since 2000, environmental laws and regulations have been weakened • Prevent further weakening by • • Repairing damage already done Improve existing laws and regulations Science-based environmental education Organized bottom-up political pressure from concerned citizens

24 -4 What Are the Major Roles of Environmental Groups? • Concept 24 -4 Grassroots groups are growing and combining their efforts with those of large environmental organizations in a global sustainability movement.

Citizen Environmental Groups Play Important Roles • Nonprofit nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working at all levels • • International National State Local • Grassroots groups to organizations • Examples of NGOs and their global public policy networks

Case Study: The Natural Resources Defense Council (1) • NRDC • Goes to court to stop environmentally harmful practices • Informs and organizes millions of environmental activists to take actions to protect the environment • Website, magazines, and newspapers

Case Study: The Natural Resources Defense Council (2) • Bio. Gems Network • 2005: Blocked the EPA from finalizing “blending” proposal for untreated sewage • 2001: Protect vast area of Great Bear Rainforest from logging

NRDC Helps Protect Canada’s Spirit Bear Fig. 24 -10, p. 652

Grassroots Environmental Groups Bring about Change from the Bottom Up • Global sustainability movement • Conservation land trusts • Use of Internet and text messaging • Nonviolent tactics • Effect on Home Depot and Lowe’s lumber

Individuals Matter: Butterfly in a Redwood Tree • Julia Hill: Nonviolent civil disobedience • • 2 Years in a redwood tree, named Luna Protested cutting down these ancient trees Did not save the surrounding forest Her message: protect biodiversity

Julia Butterfly Hill Fig. 24 -B, p. 653

Students and Educational Institutions Can Play Important Environmental Roles • Student pressure on campuses to carry out environmental audits • Gather data on practices that affect the environment • Propose changes • Examples

Science Focus: Greening American Campuses • Accomplishments of environmental audits by students at American colleges and universities • Specific examples • • Oberlin College, OH: nation’s greenest college Northland College, WI: “green” residence hall Buying local and organic food Producing renewable energy

Ecofriendly Environmental Living and Learning Center, Northland College, Wisconsin Fig. 24 -11, p. 654

24 -5 How Can We Improve Global Environmental Security? • Concept 24 -5 Environmental security is necessary for economic security and is at least as important as military security.

Why Is Global Environmental Security Important? • National security • Economic security • All economies supported by natural capital • Failing states: rooted in ecological crisis • Darfur, Sudan, Africa

Science Focus: Environmental Impacts of War (1) • Effects of a large bomb explosion • Contamination of military sites • Loss of biodiversity • Air and water pollution • Contaminated • Soil, Groundwater, Fish and wildlife

Science Focus: Environmental Impacts of War (2) • Economic and job losses • Displaced refugees • Landmines • Radioactive depleted uranium shells • 1998: U. N. Environment Programme

Top 20 Failing States in 2008 Figure 17, Supplement 9

We Can Develop Stronger International Environmental Policies • United Nations: most influential • Family of global policy-making organizations • Other influential groups • E. g. , the World Bank • Create World Environmental Organization? • U. N. Conference of Environment and Development: Agenda 21

Trade-Offs Global Efforts to Solve Environmental Problems Good News Bad News Over 500 international environmental treaties and agreements Most international environmental treaties lack criteria for evaluating their effectiveness UN Environment Programme negotiates and monitors environmental treaties 1992 Rio Earth Summit adopted principles for handling global environmental problems 2002 Johannesburg Earth Summit tried to implement 1992 Rio summit policies and goals 1992 Rio Earth Summit led to nonbinding agreements, inadequate funding, and little improvement in major problems by 2010 2002 Johannesburg Earth Summit failed to deal with climate change, biodiversity loss, and poverty 2009 Copenhagen conference failed to deal with projected climate change Fig. 24 -12, p. 656

Solutions International Environmental Treaties Problems Solutions Take long time to develop and require full consensus Stop requiring full consensus among participating parties Lack of funding and poor monitoring and enforcement Improve procedures and funding for monitoring and enforcement Not integrated with one another Integrate existing agreements Fig. 24 -13, p. 657

Corporations Can Play a Key Role in Moving Toward Environmental Sustainability • Corporations have the profits to provide funding • Eco-efficiency • World Business Council for Sustainable Development

24 -6 How Can We Implement More Sustainable and Just Environmental Policies? • Concept 24 -6 Making the transition to more sustainable societies will require that nations and groups within nations cooperate and make the political commitment to achieve this transition.

We Can Shift to More Environmentally Sustainable Societies (1) 1. Emphasize preventing or minimizing environmental problems 2. Use market-place solutions 3. Win-win solutions or trade-offs to environmental problems or injustices 4. Be honest and objective

We Can Shift to More Environmentally Sustainable Societies (2) • Making this shift involves • Economic decisions • Political decisions • Ethical decisions

Three Big Ideas 1. An important outcome of the political process is environmental policy—the body of laws and regulations that are designed, implemented, and enforced, and environmental programs that are funded by one or more government agencies. 2. All politics is local, and individuals can work with each other to become part of political processes that influence environmental policies.

Three Big Ideas 3. Environmental security is necessary for economic security and is at least as important as national security; making the transition to more sustainable societies will require that nations cooperate just as they do for national security purposes.