Environmental Issues Critique - Annotated Bibliography Example

Environmental studies

Lecture two reading

Anderson, B., & Coletto, D. (2017). Public Attitudes on Oil, Pipelines, Climate, and Change. Abacus Data. Retrieved 15 December 2017, from http://abacusdata.ca/public-attitudes-on-oil-pipelines-climate-and-change/

The main claim of this reading is that there has been a shifting attitude towards oil amongst Canadians and this is heavily influenced by their concerns about climate change. The reading shows this through a survey carried out on 2,036 Canadians and a large representative panel of over 500,000 Canadians (Anderson, 2017).

According to the survey carried out, a majority of Canadians, fifty-seven percent, now believe that the demand for oil will be falling. This is an eighteen point increase. Additionally, fifty percent would like to see a decline in oil demand in ten years, and two thirds would like to see it in three decades (Anderson, 2017). However, twenty-two percent still hold on to the belief that oil demand will see an increase.

One notices in the reading that this concern is tied to climate change because when asked what they would like to see about the energy mix for Canada, they show a strong desire for renewable sources of energy.

This was assigned with the purpose of showing the reader how Canadians today think more ‘greener’ influenced by their concerns about climate change. The reading connects to the reading in lecture nine, polls, politics and sustainability.

Lecture three reading

Benzie, R. (2017). Ontario, Quebec, and California ink climate-change deal | Toronto Star. thestar.com. Retrieved 15 December 2017, from https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/09/22/ontario-quebec-and-california-ink-climate-change-deal.html

The main claim of this reading is that provinces, states and other legal bodies that have jurisdictions over specific areas also have a role to play when it comes to the conservation of the environment. The main evidence of this is the California, Quebec, and California climate-change deal (Benzie, 2017).

While Quebec and Ontario are provinces whose federal government is led by a leader who acknowledges climate change, California is not. Despite this, California’s governor, Brown, is taking a step to ensure that the state plays a role in the conservation of the environment. From January first in the year 2018, the emissions cap program of Ontario will be integrated with that of Quebec and California (Benzie, 2017). This will allow the two most massive provinces and the largest state in North America to hold joint carbon auctions and harmonize regulations. This alliance puts a rise in carbon where a business that has greenhouses gas emission caps trade credits with those that pollute less. In time, the overall cap of the industry will be lowered cutting pollution.

This reading was assigned with the purpose of showing the importance of sub-nationals where federal government may fail in the conservation of the environment. The reading connects to the reading in lecture ten which explores a variety of tools for implementing policy related to environmental preservation. The emission cap program fits the criteria of devices described in that reading.

Lecture four reading

GOC. (2017). Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982. Laws-lois.justice.gc.ca. Retrieved 15 December 2017, from http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/Const/page-6.html#docCont

The main claim of this reading is that laws play a role in the conservation of the environment. This evident in this reading as it entails the reading of the constitution.

Laws respecting non-renewable natural resources, forestry resources, and electrical energy are particularly present in the constitutional act 92A which came into effect in 1982 (GOC, 2017). This is one of the first laws which have a direct reference to the environment. The law gives power to the legislature in each province to make laws in relations to the exploration of non-renewable natural resources in the province. The legislative bodies of the provincial administration are also responsible for laws concerning the development, management, and conservation of sites in the province that generate the production of electricity. In act 109 of the constitution, all resources are placed under the province (GOC, 2017).

I think this reading was assigned to help the reader understand the vital role laws play in the conservation of the environment and show that the referencing to the reading in lecture eleven which takes about the environmental bill of rights. This law passed in Ontario does not only acknowledge jurisdiction over the environment but also safeguards the environment’s existence.

Lecture five reading

AGC. (2017). Video—2017 Fall Reports to the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. Oag-bvg.gc.ca. Retrieved 15 December 2017, from http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_vid_e_42599.html

The main claim of this reading is that the federal government of Canada has come up short in the reduction of greenhouse gases and the adapting to climate change. The reading which is, in this case, is a video and its summary, states that despite numerous plans placed by the government over the past twenty-five years, greenhouse gases continue to rise. Additionally, the government has not met any of the emissions reductions commitments. This is why Justin Trudeau now focuses on the 2030 target instead of the former 2020 target (AGC, 2017).

The reading also showed that the federal government of Canada does not have a clear and complete picture of climate change risks. An audit done on nineteen federal departments and agencies found out that only five managed their climate change risks. The study shows that the rest took limited concrete actions. Additionally, the theme of misplaced priorities in the government emerges. Despite funding of clean energy demonstrations, the government still subsidizes fossil fuels (AGC, 2017).

The reading was assigned to inform the reader that although the government might seem pro-green, elements within it hamper its effectiveness in conserving the environment. The reading connects to a similar one in the sixth lecture that shows how some elements of the government are still advocating for fossil fuels.

Lecture six reading

MCCARTHY, S. (2016). Ottawa to phase out coal aims for virtual elimination by 2030. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 15 December 2017, from https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/ottawa-to-announce-coal-phase-out-aims-for-virtual-elimination-by-2030/article32953930/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&

The main claim of this reading is that the war on coal power plants in Canada is making progress, but there are some challenges present. According to the reading, the Liberal government has announced that by 2030, it will virtually eliminate the use of any form of electricity whose generation is coal inspired (McCarthy, 2017). Currently, Canada’s energy sector is eighty-three percent free of Green House emissions as it mostly relies on hydro-nuclear and the growing use of renewable power.

One type of progress that the reading identifies is the regulation of coal. The regulation of coal will force Canadian provinces that still burn coal to adopt technology to capture carbon emissions or to shut down the plants. One example of carbon the plan does, however, offer some flexibility to the provinces. This poses a challenge because of Saskatchewan Premier, Brad Wall denounced the federal coal plan (McCarthy, 2017). However, it is worthy pointing out that Saskatchewan employs carbon-capture technology.

Lecture seven reading

MCCARTHY, S. (2017). First Nations leaders break with Ottawa on environmental policy. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 16 December 2017, from https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/first-nations-leaders-break-with-ottawa-on-environmental-policy/article36670002

This reading was assigned with the purpose of showing the progress that Canada has made making while some challenges are still present. This reading connects to the one in lecture five as they both show a government that is struggling to go fully green.

The main claim of this reading, a publication by Shawn McCarthy, is that the relationship between the liberal government and the indigenous people, through their representatives has not been good. Despite Justin Trudeau acknowledging that Canada is still operating under what he viewed as a colonial system that deprived indigenous people of their rights, the reading shows that he is still yet to establish a ‘nation-to-nation’ relations.

As the reading shows, this is a complaint that is raised by members of the first nations’ executive. Three members have claimed that they have been left out of key decisions on proposed legislation that crafts the rules under which major mining, gas, oil and pipeline projects will be assessed (McCarthy, 2017). The indigenous people feel as if discussions held are only one-sided. The government does not go far enough in ensuring the indigenous people of Canada are informed before legislation and given consent over project approvals (McCarthy, 2017).

My thoughts on why the reading was assigned are to make the reader reflect on why such a liberal government seems to be dismissing the ‘Indian question’ and can the environment be conserved without it. This reading connects with the reading in lecture five as it exposes yet another flaw of the government has.

Lecture eight reading

MCCARTHY, S. (2017). U.S. company Windstream Energy sues Canada for $28-million in NAFTA case. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 16 December 2017, from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/us-company-windstream-energy-sues-canada-for-28-million-in-nafta-case/article34104737/

The main claim of this reading is that a New-York based energy company is asking the Ontario Superior Court to fine the Canadian government twenty-eight million dollars. The reading shows that this is in adherence to the rules of NAFTA where the federal government is held responsible when the violation is made by the provincial governments. The fine is on the basis that the province of Ontario imposed a moratorium on off-shore wind projects.

The NAFTA rule also goes ahead to state that such fines should be settled within thirty days. However, the New York-based company was not paid at the end of thirty days. This lead to the reaffirmation of the trump rhetoric that Americans and their interests are not being met (McCarthy, 2017).

This reading was assigned to show how the trump rhetoric is enforced by inefficient systems in Canadian courts. The reading was also suggested to show how green energy projects have developed as a result of NAFTA. However, due to disputes, further, development might be hampered. The reading connects to the reading in lecture five which shows yet another flaw of the government.

Lecture nine reading

Winfield, M. (2008). Polls, Politics, and Sustainability. CRUISE Conference Paper. Retrieved 16 December 2017, from Miller, G. (2014). The Environmental Bill of Rights at 20 Your Environment, Your Rights (20th ed.). Ontario: Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. Retrieved from https://media.assets.eco.on.ca/archive/2015/03/2014-The-EBR-at-20.pdf

The main claim by the reading polls, politics and sustainability reading is that as the public opinion of Canadians determines how sustainable development is about the environment. The reading also shows that politics too is important.

When it comes to politics, the reading shows how Canadian politics might make the leaders feel little incentive to change the environment. This is because the political cycle is short, particularly that of an environment minister who is typically two years or less. This leads to politicians investing in short-term solutions and avoiding the long-term solutions which may offer better results.

When it comes to public concern, the reading shows how particularly vital public concern should be in favor of the environment. This is evident thorough a graph that compares two variables, the environmental Canada budget and the percentage of identifying the environment as the most important problem. The graph showed that what followed a high increase in the percentage of Canadians who identified the environment as the most important problem was an increase in the Canadian environmental budget.

My thoughts on why the reading was assigned are to show that public concern is vital for the conservation of the environment and politics as well. The reading connects a similar reading in the first lecture that takes a poll on Canadians. Through information offered here, we can expect an increase in the Canadian budget for the environment.

Lecture ten reading

Miller, G. (2014). The Environmental Bill of Rights at 20 Your Environment, Your Rights (20th ed.). Ontario: Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. Retrieved from https://media.assets.eco.on.ca/archive/2015/03/2014-The-EBR-at-20.pdf

The main claim of this reading is that there is a variety of instruments that can be used in

the implementation of environmental friendly policy. Policy implementation is one of the parts

of the policy cycle.

According to Prof. Mark Winfield policy instruments can be divided into three categories. The first category is substantive policy instruments which are created to change behavior. They include the use of the law, taxes application, and regulation to prohibit certain activities. The second category is procedural instruments which are focused on modifying decision-making processes. The most prominent is Environmental Assessment, EA, which was intended to inject environmental consideration into decision-making processes. The third type is institutional which focuses on the creation and use of specific agencies. The reading goes ahead to show hoe economic instruments like subsidies which are substantive were used in the near-universal installation of sewage treatment by Ontario. This was fundamental in the covering water qualities in the great lakes basin.

The reading was assigned with the purpose of showing the number of ways policies can be implemented that conserve the environment. Additionally, this reading connects to the reading in lecture three. The reading in lecture three can be seen as a case study how economic instruments are used through the carbon tax plan for Ontario, California, and Quebec.

Lecture eleven reading

Winfield, M. (2014). Policy Instruments in Canadian Environmental Policy. Toronto: York University. Retrieved from http://sei.info.yorku.ca/files/2012/12/Implementing-Environmental-Policy-in-Canada.pdf

The main claim of this reading is that Ontarians have a right to have a say in the decisions that are affecting the environment and be informed concerning it and can take legal action if necessary. This was through the creation of the environment bill of rights law in 1993 (Miller, 2014).

The environment bill of rights covers fifteen Government of Ontario ministries. The law assures public participation, transparency, and accountability. It is the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario who oversees the use of the EBR. The public also has a role to play as the reading shows. The public is tasked with raising questions over government decisions, raises environmental concerns and takes legal action through the bill if necessary (Miller, 2014).

The bill also goes ahead to protect individuals who act as whistleblowers through the whistleblower protection. The law also gives members of the public the right to sue for harm to a public resource or a public nuisance (Miller, 2014).

This reading was assigned to inform Ontarians that they can take legal action when their environment is at stake through the Environmental bill if rights. The reading also connects to the reading in lecture four. Both of the texts talk about legislation passed that is related to the environment.