Pearson ES Ch 2: Environmental Policy

economics

the study of how resources are converted into goods and services and how these goods and services are distributed and used

environmental economics

the field of economics that links environmental and economic costs

market failure

it occurs when markets do not consider the environment's positive effects on economies, such as ecosystem services, or when they do not reflect the negative effects of economic activity on the environment or on people, such as external costs

ecolabeling

a labeling system that tells consumers which brands are made with processes that do less harm to the environment

environmental policy

a general plan and principle related to the interactions between humans and the environment

command and control approach

an approach in which a government body sets rules and regulations and threatens punishment for violations

subsidy

a giveaway of cash or public resources that is intended to encourage a particular activity or lower the price of a product

green tax

taxes imposed on companies that participate in activities or produce products that are harmful to the environment

cap and trade

a system in which the government determines the overall amount of pollution it will accept for specific pollutants and issues permits that allow polluters to emit a certain fraction of that amount. It allows companies to trade those permits or sell them.

policy

a formal set of general plans and principles that guides problem solving and decision making in specific instances

This is who is involved in making environmental policy

citizens, organizations, businesses, and government

First Period (1780s to late 1800's)

Few environmental policies. The ones that existed encouraged resource use. Ideas that resources were endless.

Second Period (late 1800's to mid 1900's)

Some environmental destruction was noticed. The national park system was created by President Roosevelt.

Third Period (mid to late 1900's)

Lots of pollution, resource consumption, and environmental destruction. Many of our environmental policies were created.

Rachel Carson

Wrote the book Silent Spring. She was a pioneer in the environmental movement.

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

Involved in research, monitoring, and enforcing environmental issues. ex. Air quality, water quality, etc..

UN (United Nations)

Promotes peace and deals with issues between nations including environmental issues.

Montreal Protocol

banned/limited the use of CFS (ozone damaging chemicals)

Kyoto Protocol

International agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions signed in 1997. The U.S. did not sign this.

Paris Agreement

International agreement in 2016 to limit greenhouse gases in order to keep the world from warming below the 2 degrees C.

Externality

The cost or benefit of a good or service that is not included in the price.