grassroots political actions
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5.Give examples of grassroot political actions that can have an impact on government environmental policy. Do you practice any of these actions?. Grassroots Political Actions. Affect government environmental policy Pesticide action Climate action International rivers - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
5. Give examples of grassroot political actions that can have an impact on government environmental policy. Do you practice any of these actions?
Grassroots Political ActionsAffect government environmental policy Pesticide action Climate action International rivers Women’s environmental and
development networks
Example Global Water Partnership Work toward supporting the sustainable
development and management of water resources at all levels
Focused on problem by bringing together government private sectors and international organizations
How? Collaborate across national borders and
monitor the environmental activities of governments, corporations, and international agencies
Expose corruption and violations Ex: World Bank and World Trade
Organization
Do you? No we are not part of these
organizations However some parents may take part
Connor Autry & Chris Soell
POLITICS, ENVIRONMENT, AND SUSTAINABILITY QUESTIONS 7&8
WHAT TYPE OF CIVIL SUITS CAN A PLAINTIFF SEEK?• Class action- When a group of people who share a passion for a cause, they then group
together and file a suit against a large business
• Injunctions- a legal action that restrains a person from beginning or continuing an action
QUESTION 8Category of Legislation Environmental Policy
Sets standards for pollution levels 1. Clean Air Act2. Clean Water Act
Screens new substances for safety and sets standards
1. Safe Water Drinking Act.2. Clean Air Act
Encourages Resource Conservation 1. RCRA2. NRDC
Sets aside or protects certain species, resources, and ecosystems
1. Endangered Species Act2. NOAA
Requires evaluation of environmental impact of an activity
1. NEPA2. Eco Balance and environmental
accounting
Educational institutions & Environmental Security
Erwin, Kat, DestinyBlock 2
Educational Institutions Mostly college campuses Implementing concepts of
environmental sustainability. Students work with administrators to
gather data on harmful practices and make changes
Recycling programs, food from local organic farms, fossil fuels to renewable energy.
Examples
Oberlin College Solar powers that produce 30% more electricity
than the building uses Car-sharing program and activity fees to subsidize
public transportation Northland College
Implements a “green fee” of $40 per semester on themselves to finance the colleges sustainability
Middlebury College Opened a biomass gasification plant that reduces
its carbon footprint by 40% and lowered fuel bills
Things to do at BWHS Incorporate solar panels Recycle Start clubs that go out and help clean
up Promote more environmental volunteer
work
Environmental Security If non-renewable resources become
scarce, this effects the economy as these goods will go up in price
National security will no longer relate to just the military but to problems such as watersheds, croplands, forests, climate and other factors essential to the nations security
Environmental Presentation
Kuljeet SinghThomas Shively
Colin Sperry
Full Cost Pricing
Governments levy higher taxes on alcohol and tobacco products because they are harmful to human health and the environment. The spike in taxes and awareness (1950s scientific studies and Surgeon General report in 1964) of the hazards has led to a significant decrease in usage of these products.
Market Failure
Lack of government oversight of our rivers allow for chemical companies to pollute and dispose of waste into the rivers. Multiple cities use the river as a water source so we are putting harmful chemicals into our drinking water.
Tragedy of the Commons
The ocean is an example of a resource used by many people. However, there are no laws that affect the entire ocean. Instead, countries are left to control and regulate each of their own coastlines. This means that the area beyond each country’s specified area is more susceptible to pollution. A large amount of trash can be found at the center of large circular currents or gyres which are very harmful to the ocean ecosystems and wildlife.
Governments Hindering Ability to Deal with Environmental Problems
Lack of long term solutions due to more focus being put on reelection
Lack of funding for environmental regulatory agencies
Global SolutionsBy Morganne Cieslak, Kirsten Kwitnieski, Chris Morales, and Leslie Basurto
Why is it difficult to solve environmental problems at a
global level? Not everyone is educated on
environmental issues Different types of governments make it
difficult to compromise Creating environmental policy is an
extremely difficult process Large opposing parties—lobbying Most issues start at local level, hard to
stretch influence further than states
What types of environmental effort occur at the global level?
International conventions—influence international companies
500+ Multilateral environmental agreements
Global institutions/organizations (Greenpeace)
Growing popularity of eco-efficiency
What organizations are involved?
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
Sierra Club
National Wildlife Federation
Audubon Society
What obstacles must be tackled to create a more environmentally
sustainable society? Nations must cooperate just as they do
for security purposes Politicians need to focus on long term
issues Educate the public Developing/monitoring environmental
treaties
Question Three and Four
By: Weston, Ryan, and Gautam
How can lobbyists have an impact on government policy?◦ Lobbyists work to educate and inform members of
Congress and their staffs on issues and legislation that affect their industry/constituency.
◦ They often propose legislation and/or provisions that would help the group of people they represent, and then advocate for the bill’s passage so that it will hopefully become law
◦ Lobbyists use financial tools such as Political Action Committees (PAC) that donate money to a member of Congress’s campaign in order to provide support and gain influence.
Question Three
What other steps must be taken to successfully Implement policy? ◦ In order to implement laws, executive branch
departments and agencies issue regulations and guidelines to provide specific instructions on how they will execute the laws.
Question Four
What potential problems can result in implementing environmental policy?◦ The potential problems with many environmental policies is
that they require industry to take actions to meet standards that requires them to invest profit to comply with the standard, or change production procedures, or material that is being used to produce the product they are making.
◦ These environmental policies can in fact directly attribute to a company losing substantial revenue and potentially the loss of numerous jobs and loss of benefits to its employees.
◦ Additionally, at times, the policy makes their production less efficient and can cut down on their production rates/income.
Question Four, Part 2
REASONS WHY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW SUITS ARE DIFFICULT TO WIN
REASON #1…. PLANTIFFS NEED SOLID PROOF THAT
THEY HAVE BEEN HARMED PHYSICALLY OR FINANCIALLY BY ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
REASON #2... LAW SUITS ARE EXPENSIVE
REASON #3… WITHOUT GOVERNMENT CONSENT,
PUBLIC INTERESET LAW FIRMS CAN NOT PAY ATTORNEY FEES….BUT PRIVATE CORPORATE LAW FIRMS CAN….CAUSING UNEVEN PLAYING FIELD IN LEGAL CASES
REASON #4… PLANTIF MUST BE ABLE TO PROVE
DAMAGES WHICH REQUIRES EXTENSIVE AND EXPENSIVE INVESTIGATION
REASON #5… STATUES OF LIMITATIONS IN MOST
STATES PLACE A LIMIT OF TIME THAT A PLANTIFF CAN SUE AFTER A PARTICULAR EVENT OCCURS
REASON #6… COURTS CAN TAKE YEARS TO MEET A
VERDICT DURING WHICH TIME A COMPANY OR ORGANIZATION IS ABLE TO CONTINUE ENVIRONMENTAL HARM