Environmental and Energy Policy

Conflicts and principles

The deal of climate change

Indisputable fact that there is human-caused carbon pollution heating Earth. Largely supported by scientists, specifically climate scientists.

Public opinion on climate change

Largely polarized by politics, younger adults are more supportive of moving out of fossil fuels completely, younger Republicans apply to this as well; they just don’t feel as strongly.

Global politics vs. national interests

the U.S. is one of the few, if not only, country that has a conservative chokehold stating that we should not be worried. Meanwhile other nations are more pushed to take action. We are also the world leader for CO2 emissions.

Inflation Reduction Act

• Renewables/electrification

Worked through the private industry by providing an economic incentive structure in favor of renewables and electrification

Future of Environment and Energy Policy

Global policy challenges

Pollution

everything we do produces some sort of waste, and environmental policy deals with this. Most of our current energy production is the main pollutant. Ranges from toxic chemicals, bacteria, trash, etc.

Conflicts and principles of environmental policy

costs and benefits, short-term and long-term benefits, externalities, regulation, risk assessment, economic growth, compromise, enforcement, supply vs. demand, “green” energy vs. cheap reliable energy, successes

Costs and benefits

How much does the cost matter for the benefits of things like being able to breathe easier, having safe beaches, to green spaces; focused largely on long-term benefits that are largely intangible. It also means investing in more expensive practices to start; but we’re also paying for it now. Currently, the policies and platforms are focused on short-term. (Short and long-term incentives)