1st Edition
Global Environmental Policy Concepts, Principles, and Practice
Environmental policy is often practiced reactively with each crisis addressed as an isolated event. Focusing on development of proactive policies, Global Environment Policy: Concepts, Principles, and Practice provides the essential scientific and socioeconomic framework for formulating pragmatic and comprehensive environmental policies. It discusses topics of interest to American and international audiences.
Beginning with basic concepts, the book proceeds successively on to more advanced principles, theories, and practices for developing and implementing comprehensive environmental policy solutions. Topics are introduced in a logical, yet connected, user-friendly manner. Using practical case studies and examples, the book illustrates both the power and limitations of theoretical approaches. It defines the scope and nature of the environmental policy problem, outlining its origins and evolution, and introduces the policy frameworks of the United Nations, European Union, and the United States.
Each chapter begins with a case study and ends with a problem set; the questions are designed to elicit practical and critical thinking. The book ends with two capstone problems that exemplify nearly every major topic and aspect presented in this book. Upon completion, students should possess the competency required to examine a real world problem, evaluate it in terms of the concepts, principles, and tools described throughout the book, and develop a practical policy solution for resolving that problem.
Introduction to Global Environmental Concepts and Principles
The Historical Context of the Environmental Movement
Case study
Learning Objectives
Origins of the Environmental Movement
Historical Development of National Environmental Policy Act
Discussions, Problems, and Exercises
Notes
Concepts and Principles Underlying Environmental Policy
Case Study
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Part 1: Challenges to the Global Environment
The Tragedy of the Commons
Limits to Growth
The Gaia Principle
Part 2: Challenges to Environmental Policy
Interdependence of Environmental and Energy Policies
Pollution and Its Environmental Impacts
Part 3: Additional Policy Principles and Practices
Selected Principles of International Policy and Law
Policy Formulation Process and Its Promulgation
Methodology Aspects of Policy Formulation
Discussions, Problems, and Exercises
Class Project
Notes
Sustainability and Environmental Policy
Case Study
Coal Saves the Industrial Revolution
Learning Objectives
Definitions of Sustainability
Impact, Population, Affluence, and Technology Equation
The United Nations’ Sustainability Policy: Agenda 21
Common Principles of Sustainability
Theory of Sustainable Population Growth
Measuring Sustainable Development
Ecological Modernization
Applications of the Sustainable Resource Development Principle
Examples of a Sustainable Energy Policy
Conclusion
Discussions, Problems, and Exercises
Notes
Environmental Policy Treaties and Their Implementation
Case Study
Learning Objectives
The Framework for International Environmental Treaties and Programs
Agenda 21: Principles of Global Environmental Policies
International Law as Environmental Policy Instrument
Major Environmental Treaties
Agenda 21: Strategic Implementation Program
Programs that Implement Global Environmental Strategy
Discussions, Problems, and Exercises
Notes
Sustainability, Environmental Impact Assessment, and Decision Making
Environmental Impact Assessment
Case Study
Learning Objectives
How the National Environmental Policy Act’s Environmental Impact Assessment Process has Influenced International Ppolicy
Status of Environmental Impact Assessment Legislation
The Typical Environmental Impact Assessment Process
Programmatic and Strategic Environmental Assessments
Challenges and Limitations
Mathematical Modeling
Discussions, Problems, and Exercises
Notes
Environmental Decision-Making Theory and Practice
Case Study
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Biases and Mindsets
Public Opinion and Risk Communications
Policy and Decision-Making Tools
Environmental Decision Making and Choices
Cognitive Dissonance and Effort Justification
Groupthink
The Power and Limits of Collective Intelligence
Uncertainty in Decision Making
Discussions, Problems, and Exercises
Notes
Environmental Management Systems
Case Study
Learning Objectives
International Organization for Standardization
The ISO 14000 Series of Standards
The ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Process
ISO 14001 Certification Versus Self-Declaration
The Complementary Benefits of Integrating Sustainability with a Consolidated NEPA/ISO 14001 EMS
Developing an Integrated EIA/EMS/Sustainable Development Process
Summary
Discussions, Problems, and Exercises
Notes
Environmental Ethics and Economics
Environmental Ethics
Case Study
Learning Objectives
Can, May, and Should We?
Judeo-Christian Ethics and Ecology
The Sustainability Movement
The Ethical Dimensions of Coping
Policy Options for Reducing the Environmental Footprint
Problems
Notes
Environmental Economics
Case Study
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Elementary Economic Marketplace and Investment Theory
Externalities
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Economic Principles Important to Environmental Policy
Environmental-Economic Metrics and Effects
Non-Market-Based Policies for Environmental Management
Market Policies for Environmental Management
An Interim Energy Policy?
Discussions, Problems, and Exercises
Notes
Critical Global Environmental Issues
The Coming Water Wars
Case Study
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Is the Glass Half full or Half Empty?
It is Bad, and About to Get Much Worse
Wars and Rumors of War
Can We Feed Ourselves?
The Water Runs Dirty
Dammed If They Do!
Will Technology Come to the Rescue?
Discussions, Problems, and Exercises
Class Problem
Notes
Peak Oil, Alternatives, and Energy Policy: The Looming World Oil Crisis
Case Study
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Hubbert’s Prediction
Growing Oil Consumption and Lowering of Exports by Producers
Peak Oil Policy Implications
Concluding Thoughts
Discussions, Problems, and Exercises
Class Project
Notes
Peak Food or Peak Everything: An Era of Bounty or Begging?
Case study: The Dirty Thirties
Learning Objectives
Introduction
The Global Grocery Store
The Green Revolution
“Peak everything"?
The Bottom Billion
Food Policy Perspectives
Concluding Thoughts
Discussions, Problems, and Exercises
Notes
Global Climate Change
Case Study
Learning Objectives
Introduction: The Nature of the Problem
Global Warming Causal Factors and Research
Current and Future Impacts of Global Warming
Reducing Greenhouse Emissions
Global Climate Policy
Discussions, Problems, and Exercises
Notes
The Global Population Paradox: A Population Explosion or Implosion?
Case study: St. Matthew Island
Learning Objectives
The Scientific Basis for Population Growth
The Nature of the Population Problem
Population and the Environment
The Scope of Global Population Policy
The Population Paradox: A Simmering Socioeconomic Crisis?
Discussions, Problems, and Exercises
Notes
Epilogue: Acting Locally—The Six Degrees of Separation
Capstone Problems
Capstone problem 1: Economic and Environmental Development
Capstone problem 2: The Global Policy Problem
Notes
Index
Biography
Charles H. Eccleston, CEP has over 20 years experience in developing environmental and energy-related policies and analyses. He prepares Environmental Impact Statements to evaluate impacts of projects and policies.
"… a fine reference work and a good read for anyone concerned about protection and management of, or just living in, the environment. … [a book] which I know I will turn to often for information and inspiration, and I am happy to recommend it to anyone in environmental practice, policy making, or coursework design in this field."
—Environmental Practice, Volume 15, March 2013, pp 90-90"[the authors] offer the reader a balanced skill-set, including concepts, principles, and practices for developing and implementing more effective and proactive environmental policy responses to the Earth’s burgeoning environmental problems … introduces the reader, in a concrete yet instructive way, to the major ethical, philosophical and economic principle theories underlying the current environmental debate."
—Patricia Romero Lankao Ph.D., Deputy Director at the Institute for the Study of Society and Environment at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Boulder CO. Previously Tenured Professor in Mexico-City, Mexico"… Eccleston and March bring a reasoned perspective to the world’s most prominent environmental issues … [the book] celebrates how far we have come in our relationship with the natural world while at the same time bringing forth the immediacy of our global circumstances."
—Ron Deverman, President, National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP)"… Anyone who needs to hit the ground running in the practice of environmental policy needs to read this book"
—Tim Cohen, is a "Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff," U.S. Sandia National Laboratories
"… offer readers a balanced skill set of concepts, principles, and "tools" for developing and implementing environmental policy solutions before they fester into full-blown crises."
—NAEP National E-News March–April 2012
