International Youth Envronmental Summit

The Role of Government in Protecting the Environment:

An examination of the part goverment plays in business and the environment and an analysis of the effectiveness of the actions

Joy Harms

Taylor McGovern

Elaine Whitton

The following article is a look at the role governments take in protecting the environment. Governments have always had a role in the environment within its shere of influence since the first leaders in prehistoric times. It was necessary for a leader to determine where the group lived and hunted and how much they hunted and gatheredso that there would be resources left in later years. Today the idea of government and the power it has has been extended and developed to a much higher level, but the responsibilities governments have to the environment are still the same. Because of the different forms government has taken and the different approaches each government has owards environmental protection, this paper will examine a variety of solutions and legislation which the governments of the six countries involved in the International Youth Environmental Summit have enacted.

The historical backrounds provided are included to give the reader an overview of the country's governmental system and the forces that helped form that system. Only through understanding the backround of a country and its government can you understand the logic and reasoning behind the different actions the government takes in protecting its environment. Three major problems face every environment, these problems cause governments to take actions. These causes (Natural resource depletion, industrial abuse of the environment, and human needs vs. environmental needs) are only three of the any facing the environment today but they are some of the very important ones. The effects of these problems are government actions, the form of these actions is what thipaper focuses on. Finally, government's actions ae not always the best possible solutions for everyone. This paper includes the solutions the various view points would like to have government take as well as our personal, best case, equal opportunity, solution for government's role in protecting the environment.

This paper is not a judgement about the actions that the individual governments have taken in protecting the environment, any action is a step in the right direction, but rather six case studies to provide examples and ideas for plausible, possible, agreeable solutions to the question of how government should be involved in protecting the environment.

Australia ¨

Government Case Study

Historical Background:

History: The first humans populated Australia circa 50,000 years ago. These inhabitants are now called Aborigines and their descendants are still a part of Australia's population today (approximately 1%). Australia's population is becoming more diverse now, since the mid 1940's, but prior to that time the majority of immigrants into the country were from England and Ireland. Post World War II, the Australian government began a program to recruit skilled workers from Europe, especially those who had lost their homes and jobs. Australia has relied heavily on immigration to build up its labor force and, as a result, has attracted millions of immigrants through the promise of high-paying jobs (20% of Australians were not born there). In fact, other than the Aborigines, all of Australia's population immigrated there. In 1788, 182 years after Australia was first sited by a European, Great Britain established its first colony on the continent of Australia. This colony was a prison colony to which convicts were transported to serve their terms (the practice of transporting British convicts to Australia was ended in 1868). The influence that Great Britain has had as the founding country, as the most important trading partner, and as a supplier of a majority of the immigrants into Australia can be seen in Australia's government.

Government: Australia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations (Great Britain and her colonies). It is made up of a federation of 6 states and 2 federal territories. Australia's government is a Constitutional Monarchy with the Queen of England as the Head of State and the Queen of Australia. The parliamentary government is similar to that of Great Britain; 224 members total in 2 houses and a Prime Minister who is the Head of Government (The position is held by the leader of the political party holding the majority in the House of representatives). The Federal system in Australia divides the power between the national and regional governments in a manner that is similar to the system of the United States of America. The High Court of Australia is the federal court which decides constitutional questions and acts as the final court of appeals. Australia has three major political parities. The Australian Labor Party (ALP) promoted government action in economic and social affairs. Many members belong to labor unions and also support the improvement of conditions in the workplace. The Liberal Party is in favor of little government interference in a free enterprise system, merchants and business people are the primary members of this party. The National Party represents the interests of rural Australia, i.e. farmers. Often the Liberal and National Parties will form a collation to oppose the ALP. Voting for those 18 years of age and older is compulsory in federal and state elections and failure to do so may result in a fine. In 1901 Australia became an independent nation administered under a written constitution. State governments have all governmental power except the powers given the federal government in the constitution.

Causes and Effects: Three major causes of government intervention on behalf of the environment are industrial abuse of the environment, natural resource depletion, and human wants/needs versus the requirements of a healthy environment. Because of the problems that surround the above mentioned issues governments, despite the form or aged, have felt the need to intervene to protect the environment and therefore the people under that government. The ways in which different governments confront these problems is the focus of this paper. The following paragraphs will describe three ways in which the government of Australia has dealt with causes mentioned above (one effect per cause).

The Captains Flat (Abatement of Pollution) Act of 1975 is one way the Australian government has dealt with industrial abuse of the environment. The Molonglo river and Lake Burley Griffin became polluted from the mine and mining waste dumps located on Captains Flat. The Act, enacted July 1st 1974, calls for the reduction of pollution from the Captains Flat mining site. This reduction is to be carried out through both the Federal government and the government of New South Wales, one of the 6 states of Australia. The financing of the maintenance and capital necessary to the reduction is the main focus of the act. The Federal government of Australia agrees to provide the provision of financial assistance in the project. In this case method and supply for the clean-up and reduction of waste did not seem to be the issue but rather the funding. Australia solved this problem by coordinating the efforts of local and federal governments through and agreement which was feasible for both governments and satisfactory to all sides, including the environment.

The National Environment Protection Act of 1994 strives to balance the rights of consumers, business, and the environment. It forms the National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC). The function of this council is to protect the quality of human living conditions, i.e. by stopping, preventing, limiting air, water, soil, and noise pollution. To do this the NEPC was formed and given the power to pass measures which would assure this standard of living. The council is also responsible for informing the public of its proposed measures and their effects and reach. While protecting the rights of humans and maintaining a certain standard of living the NEPC also protects the interests of business. When significant environmental legislation is passed it is the responsibility of the NEPC to keep the view of business from becoming distorted when the measure effects different sections of the country and different businesses differently. This council has been set up to facilitate collaboration between different groups and to be very open with business and the public while at the same time making a difference in the environment.

The Ozone Protection Act of 1989 is an act which has two different approaches to protecting a very important natural resource, Ozone. First it establishes a system of control, by government, over the manufacture, import, and export of products which effect the Ozone (products containing certain substances listed in the act). These products are written clearly in the legislation and the control measures that will be used are also stated. The second approach the act takes is one that encourages the participation of the Australian businesses in reducing the amount to Ozone depleting chemicals used, imported, exported, and distributed in industry. Through the "best endeavors" of government to encourage this participation they hope to speed the process of reduction of ozone depleting chemicals used. With the help of industry, government wants to do this and still stay within a reasonable and possible scope of solutions.

Brazil

Government Case Study

Historical Background

I Government

A. Monarchy

1. During the 19 century

2. Ended until 1889

B. Republic

1. Based off the oligarchy system

C. Elected officials

1. Officials elected by popular vote

2. Present during 1946-1961

D. Armed Forces

1. In control from 1964-1985

E. Political Opening

1. Direct elections

2. In use from January 1985 to present day

Cause & Effect

Three major causes that call for government interaction are; industrial abuse of the environment, natural resource depletion, and human wants and needs. The government of Brazil has had to step in to help protect and conserve the existing environment so that no more is lost to the problems above.

A treaty was passed in 1963 to ban the use of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, outer space, and under water. This was during the Vietnam War so many test with nuclear weapons were being conducted during this time. This treaty banned the right to test such weapons. With those weapons not in use the treaty stopped a potential threat to the environment from getting any worse. Now no industry or army could test nuclear weapons. That stopped many hazards to the environment from the nuclear wastes and toxins.

Several Federal agencies have environmental responsibilities in Brazil. Some of them are; The National Environment Council of the Ministry of the Interior, The Brazilian Institute of Forest Development, and The Ministry of Planning. These agencies focus in on preserving Brazil's existing environment by helping to restore and protect the rain forest and any other of Brazil's depleting resources. It is good that the rain forest and other resources are being protected by such agencies.

A law was passed in Brazil that said that if anyone is killed in all oil pollution accidents, the country where that person was from can take action against the company responsible. This circumstance falls under human wants and needs because big companies don't want to get in trouble from a country and have their reputation ruined. This law will also make oil companies more aware of their actions and will make big companies try not to have an oil spill or something else where a life might be lost.

Israel

Government Case Study

Historical Background

I Government

A. Democratic and Republic

1. A Parliamentary system

2. Had a strong cabinet with a strong central party

B Under Military rule

1. Military rule started in 1967 to present day

Causes & Effects

Three major causes that call for government interaction are; industrial abuse of the environment, natural resources depletion, and human wants and needs. The government of Israel have had to step in to help protect and conserve the existing environment so that no more is lost to the problems above.

Israel has a problem with the atmosphere and ozone around their country. The problem is caused by big industries and their polluting emissions and various humans activities(automobiles). A law was passed to help prevent the complete depletion of the ozone layer. A Vienna Convention is striving for action in the protection in human health and the protection of the environment. One action Israel's government took was to pass an amendment making the dumping of wastes and other matter into their waterways illegal. This is an important amendment because in Israel there is very little water and it is a very limited resource and if the water there is being polluted the people of Israel will have to find another way to acquire a adequate water supply.

In 1982 the United Nations passed a law saying that the fish supply in Israel will be preserved and will be sustainable. This is an example of a human want or need because people all over the world eat fish, and with this law in effect the fish supply in Israel will be sustainable.

Japan

Government Case Study

Governmental History:

Japan is one of the oldest countries known to man. It became an independent nation in 660 B.C., and has gained power throughout the world ever since. Japan's government is that of a constitutional monarchy. The Emperor was the supreme ruler of the country from 1889 until the drafting of the Meiji Constitution of 1946, which abandoned the Emperor's Divine Rights. Presently, the majority of the law-making power lies in the Diet; a group of two houses that draw up most Japanese law. The Diet is also influential in other branches of the government. It nominates from its houses the Prime Minister, who is the head of the Cabinet which oversees all the executive powers of Japan. The power of the legislative branch lies in two main houses: the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives. Within the House of Councillors, half of the members are elected, and within the House of Representatives, all of the members are elected. The judicial branch, however, is modeled after the European civil law system. A Supreme Court determines the constitutionality of different cases, and the chief justice is appointed by the Emperor. The most successful political party under this governmental system is the Liberal-Democrat Party (LDP). The LDP represents rural areas and depends on the financial support of big business.

Causes:

The three main causes of Japan's environmental problems are:

1. Industrial Abuse of the Environment The water quality of Japan has been greatly affected by industrial and household wastes. As a country whose economic and occupational stability relies on manufacturing, a great number of industrial plants flourish on the islands, all of which produce tons of waste every year. Much of this material gradually works its way into the lakes and rivers of Japan, and eventually into its surrounding waters. The effects of this contamination range from depletion of fish to acid rain.

2. Natural Resource Depletion Japan has one of the fastest growing population rates in the world. From 1986 to 1996, the country has gained 4,420,000 people to obtain a total population of 125,351,00. With a land mass of only 145,834 square miles, overpopulation is becoming a prominent problem in Japan. Consequently, much of the wilderness of the country is being lost to industry, housing, and farming facilities.

3. Needs of Society As population continues to grow in Japan, so do the needs of society. As more people are born into the Japanese culture, more land is being used for houses, schools, and supermarkets. Neighborhoods often destroy natural habitats because of their location, as well.

Effects:

The government's responses to these three problems are:

1. The Water Quality Bureau This group was formed to enforce standards for industrial and household treatments of wastes. It ensures that waste is dealt with as cleanly as possible and that it is not discharged into surrounding waters.

2. The Nature Conservation Bureau The purpose of this association is very broad. Its main purpose is to conserve and preserve the natural environment. This concept includes designating national parks and enforcing both the Wildlife Protection and Hunting Law and the Law of the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

3. The Planning and Coordinating Bureau This group examines the environmental aspects of building new housing projects. It analyzes such elements as erosion, wildlife habitat, and water quality, and determines the best possible sites for new neighborhoods.

South Africa

Government Case Study

Governmental History:

The first recorded discovery of South Africa by a white man occurred in 1652, when the Dutch East India Company founded a refreshment stand in the Cape of Good Hope. From then on, the country's history is full of warring tribes and British rule. The British annexed most of what is today South Africa during the mid-to-late 1800s, but gave parliamentary control to the country after the War between the Whites (1899-1902). To whom they gave this rule, however, is what has caused practically all of the political strife in this country. The British did not give parliamentary control to the South Africans; they gave it to the whites in South Africa. South Africa became a country in 1910 with the joining of The Cape Colony, Natal, the Transvaal, and the Orange Free State. The government in this country, until just recently, was under what is known as apartheid. Apartheid is the philosophy that the growth and development of each race (Asian, colored, black, and white) should be pursued separately. Consequently, whites ruled the country, and segregation and racial prejudice ran rampant until Dec. 22, 1993, when Parliament adopted a transitional constitution to eliminate apartheid. Currently under this constitution, South Africa's executive power is held in the president, deputy presidents, and a cabinet of ministers. The legislative power is given to a bicameral parliament which is comprised of a National Assembly and a Senate. A Supreme Court resides in the country, as does a Bill of Rights. This constitution also seeks to eliminate racial prejudice, and a significant step towards this occurred in 1994, when the first black president, Nelson Mandela, was elected.

Causes:

The three main causes of South African's environmental problems are:

1. Industrial Abuse of the Environment Agriculture is one of the main industries in South Africa. Farmland occupies approximately 81% of all the country's land, but only 70% of it is suitable for grazing. Consequently, much overgrazing occurs and causes incredible erosion (approximately 500 million tons of topsoil is lost every year through erosion). Shipping is also a primary industry of the country, and discharges from boats into the seas causes contamination of both the water and the fish.

2. Natural Resource Depletion South Africa has never had abundant forest resources. Consequently, in order to ensure that there is any timber left for future generations, it is necessary to preserve it. However, presently there is very little wood left within the country and conditions are not suitable for the growth of more timber.

3. Needs of Society Fishing is also a primary industry of South Africa. The demand for fish is rising, and overfishing is occurring. If overfishing continues to occur, the marine animals will not have enough time to replenish themselves and the waters will eventually become barren.

Effects:

The government's responses to these three problems are:

1. Convention to Combat Desertification This organization attempts to work with other governments to help create sustainable farmlands that do not perpetuate erosion. Department of Transport and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism This group, however, works with the land and the people to enact change. It prohibits certain parts of the sea to vessels in order to limit discharges. It deems that laden tankers must stay at least 20 km from the coast, and prepares coastal workers with both education and equipment for handling an oil spill should it occur. The group also patrols by plane over shipping lanes to report oil spills and other chemical hazards.

2. Forest Amendment Act of 1995 This act tries to create new timber sources in South Africa. It allows the Minister to give financial rewards to people who plant or replant trees on their property, thereby encouraging people to keep the country as green as possible.

3. Sea Fishery Amendment Act of 1995 This act attempts to prevent overfishing on the coasts of South Africa. To do this, it allows for only a certain amount of a particular kind of fish to be caught in a given period of time. Under these stipulations, the marine food chain will remain more balanced and the fish population will have time to regenerate its population.

United States of America

Government Case Study

Historical Background:

History: America did not start out as being united. The first successful British colony was founded in America in 1607 but the settlers were out to make a profit and return home rather than stay and establish a permanent home. As different colonies appeared in America the differences between them became apparent. Their inhabitants all had different motivations for coming and different ideas about what this new world should be like, most of these ideas were very idealistic. As the country grew and matured it grew out of being just and offshoot of Great Britain and the colonies formed a somewhat united group to oppose British rule and become an independent country. When it came time to formalize a constitution for the united states after the war had been won the principals of fundamental human rights were combined with some of the older principals of town meetings which had been popular in the early colonial days. Human rights and the rights of an individual to better himself through whatever means available have been part of the pervading spirit of the American people since they first immigrated here. This mentality which carried them through their "Manifest Destiny", right to occupy all of the land from coast to coast, and through the industrial revolution of the early 1900's has made the USA one of the most powerful and influential countries intheworld today, but it has also led to some very serious environmental problems which must be dealt with.

Government: The government of the United States of America is based on a written constitution of seven articles and 26 amendments, the first 10 of which make up what is called the Bill of Rights. There are three branches of government, Executive, Legislative, and Judicial, which share the power and engage in a system of checks and balances which keeps the system as true as possible to the citizens. The Judicial branch interprets the constitution and determines what is and isn't constitutional. The USA has a representative democracy as a form of government, the members of the executive and legislative branches are elected by the people. The minimum voting age is 18 years of age and voting is not required at any age or level. 50 states make up the USA, each has a government the mirrors the federal government in structure and practice. The different levels of government each play difference roles in the lives of the citizens of the USA. The President is the head of the Executive branch and sometimes thought to be the leader of the USA but with the three branches of government no one branch has any more power than the others. the USA is a very large country with many natural resources, this effects the decisions of government towards the environment.

Causes and Effects:

Three major causes of government intervention on behalf of the environment are industrial abuse of the environment, human wants/needs versus the requirements of a healthy environment, and natural resource depletion. Because of the problems that surround the above mentioned issues governments, despite the form or aged, have felt the need to intervene to protect the environment and therefore the people under that government. The ways in which different governments confront these problems is the focus of this paper. The following paragraphs will describe three ways in which the government of the United States of America has dealt with the causes mentioned above (one effect per cause).

The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 is one response the USA had to the issue of industrial abuse of the environment through pollution. This Act evaluated pollution and the previous acts which tried to control it and then modified the solution. Instead of cleaning up the waste this act seeks to reduce pollution through reduction of polluting materials at the source and cost-effective changes to production and operating methods. This act focuses on pollution prevention rather than older more conventional responses, i.e. pollution clean-up. Pollution prevention also includes practices which use our resources, i.e. water, timber, land, energy, and other resources, more effectively and which will conserve and preserve these resources in the long run. These practices include recycling, source reduction, and sustainable agriculture. Again the old proverb comes up, an Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure.

The National Environmental Policies Act (NEPA) of 1969 was one of the first acts of it's kind. It established a framework for protecting the US environment. The NEPA does this by assuring that all branches of government give proper consideration to the environment prior to undertaking any major federal action that significantly affects the environment. The most visible NEPA requirements are Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements which assess the results of different possible answers to a question about what to do with a piece of land. this is an act which sometimes comes into conflict with the American ideal of individual freedoms. If a person or group wants to build something but it is assessed to be less profitable in the long run than the environment of that area this often doesn't sit well with American entrepreneurs. In situations such as this the rights of the individual must be weighed against the rights of the environment and the majority of people which that effects and the future generation which might also be affected. This act only regulates federal actions but the question is still a valid one for which the answer is not clear but it is still a question that must be answered.

The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 is an act which protects just one of the many natural resources located in the USA. This act not only protects a natural resource that will be vital to the future of the planet but also the consumer who drinks this water everyday. The act applied to all water that was potentially designed for drinking water, below and above ground. It required anyone who owned or operated a public water system to meet minimum standards of purity and water quality related to health. Also, state governments encouraged the operators to meet a secondary standard which was related to nuisance. Natural resources are one of the most important assets any country can have but they are also limited so they must be used carefully and preserved because when they are gone or contaminated they are gone for a very very long time, if not forever. This act is one approach the USA had in dealing with one of it's natural resources.

Solutions

a. Corporate

Throughout history, corporations and manufacturers have been blamed for the majority of the pollution and natural resource depletion inflicted on the environment. Therefore, many government regulations concerning emissions and means of production have been instituted. Corporations would prefer not to be regulated at all, but if the government must place some restrictions on them, they believe that it should be done in certain ways:

1. Provide monetary compensation and time to meet newly- instilled regulations.

If the government demands that emissions be lowered, production processes must be changed in order to do so. Such changes are costly and time-consuming. They divert funds from other areas, resulting in higher prices and lower employment, both of which are harmful to the industry's success. The government should, therefore, pay for any changes necessary to meet the new standards and allow the company time to install them into their location. This way, the industry would not suffer and the needs of the environment could still be met.

2. Place the same regulations on every corporation, and monetarily penalize those industries that do not meet these standards.

By restricting only one or two industries, competition is hindered. If the government regulates every industry under the same standards, everyone would be dealing with the same handicap, and the ill-effects of those handicaps would not seem as drastic. Under the same logic, if an industry spends thousands of dollars in order to cut their emissions, and another company continues on in their practices without change, the second company would be able to offer the product at a lower price. The first industry would, therefore, be penalized for adhering to the restrictions. If the government fined the second company and forced them to change their production process, as well, the first company would be rewarded, not penalized, for their cooperation. In the Australian government, an example of how the corporations believe the government should regulate the environment can be seen in The Ozone Protection Act of 1989, which encourages business participation to use environmentally-sound chemicals in their production by offering monetary incentives.

b. Grassroots

Grassroots organizations believe strongly that government's regulation of the environment is imperative to the earth's survival. They also often believe that the corporations are the organizations that cause most environmental problems. They, therefore, believe that the government should act in the following ways:

1. Force corporations to drastically cut their emissions and use of natural resources.

By instituting heavy fines for those industries that emit too much pollution, the government can force the corporations to change their production methods. Also, by continually inspecting the efficiency and cleanliness of the industries, the government can better control the level of emissions from the plants.

2. Protect remaining land and resources.

To protect the remaining ecosystems of the planet, the government should set aside as much land as possible for the purpose of game reserves and national parks. Areas should be prohibited to hunters and settling humans of any kind, and should be established throughout the globe. An example of this philosophy can be seen in Japan, where the government has created a Nature Conservation Bureau. This bureau's prime purpose is to set aside land for national and state parks and to enforce various wildlife legislation.

3. Establish a more convenient, universal form of low-pollution public transportation.

Since automobile exhaust is one of the main causes of the depletion of the ozone layer, an alternative transportation system must be organized by the government. Many systems have already been established throughout the globe, but they are not being used by the public. The government should, therefore, expand such forms and make them more accessible to the common man.

4. Provide forums in which our opinions will be heard.

Many legislators and senators are oblivious to the environmental problems facing today's society. If the government would allot a specific period of time during every senatorial and congressional session in which the grassroots organizations could voice their concerns, more people in the government would become aware of their environment. The legislators might then take action on such environmental issues.

c. Individual

Most individuals would like the environment to be preserved, but few are willing to sacrifice for it. If helping the world was convenient and profitable, almost every citizen would be interested. The government should, therefore, in the eyes of the average citizen:

1. Establish accessible, convenient ways to recycle.

Such programs as curbside recycling have really been successful in America, but if they were expanded to include other types of recycling, such as plastics, even more material could be used again.

2. Make environmental protection easy and worthwhile.

Often the problem of protecting the environment seems insurmountable to the average citizen. Town meetings concerning new areas of development or the building of a new industry would make the population feel more responsibility toward the environment, and would give them an opportunity to make their opinions heard. "Pay-as-you-throw" programs are also successful and would be even more so if expanded throughout the country. These programs allot a certain amount of garbage to be disposed of by each household in a given amount of time, and, if the household produces more waste than allotted, they force the establishment to pay more money. If those who produced less than allowed were given a monetary reward as well, the program might become even more popular.

3. Make sure prices and unemployment rates don't rise when a corporation is forced to change its method of production.

By offering monetary compensation to industries the government is restricting, the cost to the consumer would not be as endangered, and neither would the industrial worker's job.

4. Keep taxes low.

Find funds for environmental changes from grassroots organizations and fines from corporations, not from tax dollars.

d. Education

Most school districts are in desperate need of funds. They would, therefore, teach much about the environment if inclined in this way to do so. According to the educational facilities, then, the government should regulate the environment in these ways:

1. Give grants to schools that offer classes or sponsor activities which teach students about the environment.

By offering money, the government could help educate a new generation about environmental issues. Evidence that such classes can make an impact on students can be seen in the upcoming International Youth Environmental Summit. Sponsoring activities such as street clean-ups and other community services would make the students feel more involved in their environment and make a difference therein.

e. Government

The government usually sees itself as having the power to regulate and legislate, but also as having the responsibility to please the public. Government sees its role in regulating the environment as follows:

1. Regulate industries and have those regulations be enforced.

The government should have the power to protect the environment and its population from toxic emissions and waste. They should, therefore, have the power to fine industries, to force them to adhere to strict regulations, and to have them make the changes themselves.

2. Use tax dollars to pay for environmental protection.

The government should not be forced to cut programs such as education and medicare in order to protect the earth. Funds for national parks and wildlife preserves should come from the taxpayers who call for the change.

3. Regulate and preserve only as much as the population calls for.

By taking regular polls of society, the government could maintain a better image of what the majority of the population wants in terms of environmental protection. By doing so, the government could determine how much action it should take.

f. Our Opinion

After researching different country's governments and their involvement in regulating and protecting the environment, we began to see what forms of regulation were successful. It appears that the most effective situations occurred when all kinds of different viewpoints were considered. For example, in Australia, the NEPC attempted to create plausible solutions to environmental problems by listening to different people's and different organizations' points of view. We also came to the conclusion that money is an important issue. Therefore, we feel the government should offer monetary incentives to industries for cutting their emissions, and also inflict monetary penalties on those industries that have high pollution levels. We came to the realization, also, that the individual plays an important role in the success of environmental legislation. They must be willing to sacrifice some tax money if they expect to see a real improvement in the environment, and they must take responsibility themselves to recycle and conserve as many resources as possible. Basically, we came to the conclusion that the government's role in regulating the environment is to collaborate the ideas of all interested parties, offer incentives to industries, enforce laws that are drawn up, and create realistic, timely legislation that would help preserve the environment.

Back to the Research Page