UMD ENSP 102 - Environmental policy

ENSP-Environmental policy: gov action in response to environmental problems -identify problem-pursue goals and objectives-us particular tools to achieve these goals~action(what gov does) and inaction (what they say not to do)-ex. Let forest burn on its own, not lowering the ozone standard, not authorizing keystone xL~binding and non-binding -questions for ENSP-what’s the problem?-what caused the problem?-what are the consequences of the problem?-what should be done about it?-who should take action?-when should that action take place?-who are the players in ENSP-interest groups (environmental and industries)-scientific researches-public-government (levels & branches)-non-profit groups-media -problems and solutions defined by…~values-environment vs economy -values affected by? (parents, media, views of nature, religion, where live)-policy requires value judgments to be made when deciding whether to act and how to act in the face of uncertain or incomplete info~science-scientific research in an essential input to the policy process-uncertainty (new problems, looking at future, different inputs)-framing of the science-proponents of regulation (ex. precautionary principle) -opponents of regulation (ex. Show doubt on science)-Obama made a big deal about Bush admin. had changed science and were making everything seem better than it was-the role of economics and the economy-a challenging agenda in tough economic times -government intervention vs free marketplace -cost-benefit analysis-uncertainty -values -appropriate tool-tragedy of the commons~risk-characterized by assumptions , uncertainty, and controversy -probability of occurrence vs severity of harm (don’t think about the danger of cars or the sun as we should)-public perception vs risk assessment -how likely is it that farm will occur? Should we act to reduce the risk of improbable harm -Obama’s State of the Union ~energy-America closer to energy independence (the all-of-the-above energy strategy)~oil~natural gas, if extracted safely~solar~didn’t mention keystone XL, nuclear, coal, renewable resources other than solar~environment and public lands~working with industries~balancing both production and protection of environment~climate change~points out whether events that have happened~climate change is a fact~polarization and lack of bipartisanship~arguments about proper size of government~polar in gov~infrastructure ~says he’ll work on his own to slash bureaucracy…. Didn’t finish~legislative vs executive ~said he’ll act on his own w/o congress~reaction from stakeholders ~GOP response -ideology -unilateral action ~environmental groups-mixed ~industry groups-mixed ~public opinion : does the speech make a difference -whether -History of the Environmental movement ~early 17th century :wilderness seen to be conquered (wetlands built on, forests cut)~mid 19th century -nature writing and about how we should preserve it (Henry David Thoreau)~mid-late 19th to 20th century in the west-creation of National Parks vs Response~resource exploitation -gold rush 1849-homestead act of 1862-land privation for farming and ranching -reclamation act of 1902-public construction of dams-outcome-entitlement -klamath-los Angeles 2/4Resource Exploitation mid-late 19thcent-early 20th-Gold rush 1849-homestead Act of 1862-land privatized for farming and ranching -free access to minerals-reclemation Act of 1902-provide water -public construction of damns-outcome…entitlement -Klamath (river base that it fought over by dif groups for dif purposes)-Los Angeles (takes water from Colorado river)-Yellowstone National Park 1872-1st national park-John Muir: naturalist-Gifford Pinchot: w/forest service(department of agriculture)Progressive Era 1890-1915NATIONAL RESOURCES **Preservation-john Muir -founded Sierra Club -Protection of Wilderness areas for intrinsic value -Education and recreation -outcome…creation of parks and monuments**Conservation (using resources but being wise about it)-Gifford Pinchot-forseter-efficient use and wise management of resources-crops-economic development-TR adopted this approach to resource use PUBLIC HEALTH-wastewater treatment-improvements in nutrition and public health -Outgrowth of Industrial Revolution -at local NOT state or federal levelNew Deal 1930-FDR-response to Great Depression and Dust Bowl-Economic development-environmental restorationexamples…*Tennessee Valley Authorization(TVA)*Civil Conservation Corps *Hoover Damn -parallels with today?-todays recession (looking for new jobs, use of water)Post WWII-1950s and 60s-increased public interest in recreation -affluence (people coming into money)-quality of life was becoming more concerning (pollution troubling)-scientific discoveries- DDT and Rachel Carson(wrote to book Silent Spring in 1962)-she brought attention to all the new pesticides and gases in lives-Aftermath of the book…*industry responsepolarization *DDT banned in US in 1972*Stockholm Treaty-banned DDT (malaria exceotion)*today ex: west nile virus, pesticide law-media role-events (brining concern amongst the public)-Santa Barbra Oil Spill1962, Cuyahoga River Fire1952&1969-social movement more generally Evnironmental Movement 1970s -Major Public Support-Earth Day 1970-Major federal environmental statues passed with bipartisan support, Nixon role?-clean water act, clean air act, NEPA, EPA created-process was opened up to public scrutiny-Problems/policy/politics converged-problems seemed simple/ solutions seemed obvious- “low hanging fruit”Environmental Policy 1980-1992-Regan 1981-89-reduce the scope of the federal, shift power of the states-voluntary/ market-based-congress and public did not agree, many laws were strengthened-George H.W. Bush 1989-93-1990 Clean Air Act Amendments-high public support-distance from Regan -Clinton 1990s-advocate of the environment (Al Gore VP)-Republican Congress wants to role back environmental protections-reinvention /market based solutions/cooperation -George W. Bush 2001-2009-departure from Clinton-pro-business appointees-industry and economy over environmental protection -war on terrorism -scientific integrity at issue -Obama-reserved many Bush Policies -Strong action under CAA to reduce GHG emissions and Air toxins -no change to Ozone Standard yet-tough energy decisions, still waiting New Paradigm-Holistic Approaches-sustainable Development-ecosystem management -adaptive management Policy Formulation and the Role of the Legislative Branch