Assignment 2: Environmental Policy

Due Week 10 and worth 120 points

There are several environmental laws, regulations, and policies thatcurrently influence your life, and they include the following:

• NEPA
• The Clean Air Act
• The Clean Water Act
• The Endangered Species Act
• The Superfund
• CITES
• The Montreal Protocol
• The Basel Convention

Choose one (1) of these environmental regulations, or another policythat interests you; then, research your chosen regulation or policy’srequirements and environmental and economic impacts.

Write a three to five (3-5) page paper in which you:

1. Describe three (3) key elements of the regulation or policy youchose. Specifically, discuss who is affected and what actions they arerequired to undertake, including federal and state agencies and specificindustries, and how these requirements are enforced.
2. Assess three (3) effects this regulation or policy had on ourenvironment. Next, quantify its effects, if possible, to analyze whetheror not the regulation had the desired effect on the environment.
3. Discuss three (3) economic effects of your chosen policy orregulation. Next, describe the direct costs of implementation, as wellas the effect the regulation has had on economic growth. If possible,find a benefits/cost analysis that will provide you with objectiveanalyses of this regulation’s economic impact.
4. Speculate whether or not you believe that this policy or regulationhas been successful overall. Next, debate whether or not your chosenpolicy or regulation has promoted environmental benefits or outweighedits economic costs. Lastly, determine whether you would recommendrenewing this policy or regulation when it comes to its expiration date,or whether you should let the policy or regulation expire. Justify yourresponse.
5. Use at least three (3) quality resources / references in thisassignment, in addition to the course text. Note: Wikipedia and personalblogs do not qualify as quality resources.
6. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• • This course requires use of new Strayer Writing Standards (SWS).The format is different than other Strayer University courses. Pleasetake a moment to review the SWS documentation for details.
  • Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12),with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must followSWS format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
  • Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, yourname, your professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The coverpage and the reference page are not included in the required assignmentpage length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Assess the various methods used to understand natural phenomena andthe human impact on it, and analyze the steps taken to protect theenvironment.
• Analyze factors influencing the use and conservation of environmental resources.
• Analyze the effect of human populations on various ecosystems,including agriculture, urbanization, waste management, and pollution.
• Critically evaluate sources of information about environmental science and communicate them effectively.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in environmental science.
• Write clearly and concisely about environmental science using proper writing mechanics.

Discussion

“Environmental Policy and Sustainability” Note: Online students please respond to one (1) of the following three (3) bulleted options:

• Explain two (2) reasons as to whether or not you believesustainability is an attainable objective. Next, determine two (2)barriers currently in place that make achieving sustainabilitydifficult. Propose one (1) alternative that can be used in place ofsustainability.

• Name one (1) environmental policy described in Chapter 16 that youbelieve was most successful. Next, state two (2) drawbacks of yourchosen policy then speculate on two (2) potential lessons that could bedrawn from your selected policy that could be used to improve futureenvironmental policies. Justify your response.

• Describe three (3) ways that environmental policies can be implemented and enforced. Next, in your own words, identify the roles ofthe following branches when dealing with environmental policies:legislative, executive, and judiciary. Lastly, which branch do youbelieve has the most power in implementing and enforcing environmentalpolicies in the United States? Justify your response.