Analysis of the Public Policy Process of the US Governance System: The Environment - Essay Example

Analysis of the Public Policy Process of the US Governance System: The Environment Introduction The fact thatthe environment is at the core of economic and social development in the United States cannot be disputed. Besides being the source of the natural resource base, the environmental processes disintegrate the various wastes that humans dispose off on a daily basis. The inherent biological systems act as checks and balances, preventing natural resource depletion and environmental pollution that is related to human activity. The ultimate aim is to ensure a clean environment that supports the growth and development of both present and future generations. The US government has developed a distinct policy system to govern human activities that have various implications on the wellbeing of the environment. Relative regulations guide human behavior to ensure that it is consistent with the provisions of Environmental Protection Act. Since effective enforcement of the Environmental Protection Act is complex, there are distinct roles that are played by various factions of the government to ensure optimal outputs. To enhance a coherent consideration, this paper assumes the activist approach to environmental protection. Unlike other approaches, this is participatory and puts inconsideration the views and considerations of various factors. From a personal point of view, it is more sustainable because besides pushing for radical positive changes, it ensures that the end solution is reflective of the views of all stakeholders. It is against this background that this paper reviews the engagement of various branches of the government in the environmental policy. Comparative Analysis of the Branches of Government engagement in the Environmental Policy a) Office of the President During his campaign period, President Barrack Obama made clear his intentions to safeguard and protect the wellbeing of the environment. Based on this, Rosenbaum argues that the environmental movement fully supported his presidential aspirations (144). The office of the president acts as an oversight for all agencies that address environmental issues. The president himself plays an active role in ensuring that relative regulatory provisions are followed to the latter. The office supports the environmental initiatives that are proposed by various groups, agencies and individuals. By ensuring a stable political environment, the office of the resident has also gone a long way in ensuring that relative environmental initiatives are implemented effectively and in a timely manner. b) Executive Bureaucracy In his consultative review, Layze asserts that the governmental approach to environmental concerns is relatively fragmented (35). At this point, it is worth noting that the National Environmental Authority agency has the most comprehensive regulatory provisions. Nonetheless, it does not have absolute decision making power over critical environmental issues. It is widely recognized that virtually all departments of the executive have a role to play in environmental management and protection. Notably, this has greatly affected the efficacy of national environmental regulation. Nevertheless, the roles that relative departments play in environmental management cannot be understated. To begin with, The Council on Environmental quality plays an instrumental role of coordinating the activities of different agencies (Rosenbaum 113). This way, it is able to prevent incidences of replication of environmental protection efforts. Ultimately, this contributes a great deal to resource conservation. It also evaluates all environmental impact assessments at the national level. The Environmental Protection Agency addresses wide ranging issues including solid waste management, noise pollution, and toxic substances regulation, use of pesticides, radiation concerns and water and air pollution amongst others. Notably, all these issues affect the environment in different ways. It has laid down stipulations regarding the quantities of pollutants that should be emitted in the environment. These benchmarks ensure that industries assume responsibility for engaging in any form of environmental pollution. This way, it has played a leading role in checking environmental malpractices that are assumed by emergent industries. According to Sigman, it is the overall environmental protection body in the entire nation (3). The department of justice addresses critical concerns pertaining to environmental litigation. The Executive Office of Management deals with development of environmental related budgets and management of agencies that address distinct environmental concerns. In certain instances, the government requires funds to restore the environment and enhance environmental awareness through education and capacity building initiatives. This office ensures that these concerns are addressed with utmost ease. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission as part of the executives provides licenses to agencies, group and individuals that wish to explore nuclear power (Sigman 9). In this respect, it is worth appreciating that nuclear energy has profound impacts on the holistic wellbeing of the environment. This Commission ensures that groups, agencies and individuals wishing to exploit this source of power have met the required standards. This is vital in preventing the negative impacts that have adverse effects on the entire health of the population. Finally, the department of energy is responsible for petroleum related research and development and coordinating energy policy. Generally, Kraft cites energy to be one of the greatest causes of environmental pollution. Relative emissions culminate in air and water pollution. Regulating energy use is vital in curbing environmental pollution. Research related to use of energy on the other hand provides useful insights into ways through which different forms of energy can be exploited in a sustainable manner. c) House of Representatives Just like the executive branch of the government, the house of representatives plays an active role in environmental protection. The committee of agriculture participates in making critical decisions regarding various concerns pertaining to agricultural practices. In particular, Layze indicates that it addresses matters pertaining to use of Agricultural chemicals as well as the implications of extensive farming (82). In this regard, it should be acknowledged that environmental issues such as sedimentation of riverbeds and flooding are directly contributed to by various agricultural malpractices. The issue of hybrid farming has culminated in depletion of important natural species. Equally important is the role of the Committee on Natural Resources. Natural resources provide important livelihoods upon which populations depend. Statistical evidence indicates that it is being depleted at a very fast rate (Millimet and Fredkriksson 103). This has culminated to loss of natural diversity as various species have been depleted. In light of environmental policy, The Committee on Natural Resources ensures that the resources are used sparingly in addition to being distributed equally amongst all factions of the population. This ensures that each individual shares equally in the resource base. Through the support of scientific innovation and invention of environmentally viable technologies, List and Gerking indicate that the committee on science and technology contributes a great deal to encouraging environmental protection and management (455). In this regard, it proposes incentives to companies that use environmentally friendly technologies. In most instances, these greatly minimize the emissions that contribute in different ways to environmental pollution and global warming. It also conducts research about the use of the relative technologies. Based on the findings, it devises ways through which the scenario can be improved upon. By collaborating with scientists across the globe, it ensures that green house gas emissions are reduced to tolerable levels. d) Senate The senate also plays a vital role in enhancing environmental protection and management. To begin with, Vig and Kraft cite that its agricultural, Nutrition and Forestry Committee actively participate in enforcement of environmental regulations (89). In this regard, they establish rules and regulations pertaining to environmentally sound Agricultural practices. This is done to ensure that the farmers produce sufficient food and at the same time do not impact negatively on the environment. This is accomplished through field education programs. Also, they address the needs of the farmers and provide viable options through consensus. In certain cases, stringent environmental rules and regulations undermine their ability to engage in productive Agriculture. By reviewing these, the committee ensures that the Agricultural practices are both environmentally and economically sound. The forestry faction on the other hand addresses forestry concerns and advocates for sufficient forest cover. The Energy and Natural resources committee addresses wide ranging issues regarding energy use and natural resource conservation. Likewise, it acknowledges the need to conserve the natural resources in order to safeguard the wellbeing of future generations. Finally, the environment and public works committee addresses environmental concerns that emanate from various human activities. Typical examples include pollution, urbanization, Agriculture, mining and so forth (Rosenbaum 127). It also participates in the formulation, implementation and enforcement of rules and regulations that govern environmental management. In this way, it contributes directly to environmental protection. Notably, its roles and responsibilities are almost similar to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives. e) Judiciary In general, Kraft ascertains that the courts play a subsidiary role in environmental management (96). To begin with, district courts engage in the quantification of environmental damage that has been done by the accused companies or individual. Using this, they are able to determine the harm that has been done to the environment and know the type of punishment to accord the accused party. Judges have the discretion of determining the type of punishment to accord the accused. This way, they are best positioned to enforce environmental regulations established by the legislature. At the level of the appellate, courts plays an instrumental role in reviewing the decisions made by other courts with respect to punishing persons who have contravened environmental law. By reviewing previous judgments, judges at the court of appeal ensure that the punishment that the accused is accorded is just (List and Gerking 462; Sigman 70). The High court on the other hand addresses complex and complicated cases pertaining to environmental protection and management. Usually, Sigman indicates that these include complex and intricate environmental issues and cannot be effectively addressed by the lower courts (8). Analysis of Special Interests and Organizations influential in this policy debate Certainly, issues pertaining to environmental protection and management are compounded by various controversies. This is attributed to the implications that they have on the social and economic wellbeing of the populations. Notably, the environmental debate has drawn attention from different groups, individuals and agencies at a local, national, regional and global scale. Through their arguments, they voice their concerns about the existing environmental policy. While some support the efforts of the government in using this policy instrument to safeguard the wellbeing of the environment, some condemn it for using the same to compromise their social and economic development. In his research, Rosenbaum posits that the industrial community has been on the forefront in opposing a significant percentage of the provisions of this policy (97). In particular, the provisions that seek to regulate industrial emissions in the environment have been greatly opposed by the industrial community. They have blamed the government for setting the standards way too high for them to adhere to accordingly. The green practices that are advocated by the government according to them do not offer economically viable options. According to their arguments, the population does not readily consume recycled products because of their low quality. Thus from their point of view, the government has failed dismally to provide them with viable conditions that are supportive of economic growth. The environmental movement has on the other had supported the policy wholly. In this respect, Layze argues the election of the current president was partly attributed to his support for environmentally sound principles (82). These are all contained in the environmental policy that is advocated for by the government. The environmental movement supports the goals and objectives of the policy by participating actively in environmentally sound practices such as agro-forestry and environmental research. Consideration of Impacts on the policy process From the federal perspective, the policy has played a leading role in shaping the US environmental behavior. In this regard, its regulatory provisions have ensured that the public participates actively in environmental practices. According to Kraft, the federal government believes that through the characteristic education and awareness creation programs, the policy has effectively contributed to changing public views towards the environment (92). Unlike previously, the populations appreciate the value of the environment. Likewise, the states ascertain that the improvement of the US environment is attributable to the efforts of different institutions including the environmental policy (List and Gerking 467). The policy process according to the states has ensured that all factions of the population assume environmentally sound practices. This is due to the fact that it is comprehensive and all inclusive. Put differently, it addresses all environmental concerns including the emergent issues. Around 70% of political parties also consider the policy instrument to be important for environmental protection (Vig and Kraft, 59). Its criminalization of certain environmental offences has gone a long way in encouraging assumption of viable environmental practices. Enforcement of the law has ensured that all people are held responsible for their environmental practices. The government plays an active role in ensuring that relative laws are followed to the latter. The media also acknowledges the positive impact that the policy has had on the US environment. In his research, Kraft cites the media appreciating the complexity of this policy instrument and its ability to curb environmental malpractices (Kraft 112). However, the media argues that the fragmented nature of its implementation and enforcement has undermined its effectiveness. Thus in this respect, the government needs to review its authority with respect to policy implementation and enforcement. For instances, it should accord the Environmental Protection Agency the sole responsibility of implementing the policy. The government should in such a case only act as an oversight authority. Summary Considerations In sum, the environmental policy has had significant positive impacts on the quality of life of the population. Seemingly, all branches of governance play an active role in environmental protection and management. As it has come out from the study, the government as a whole advocates for a clean environment that is supportive of sustainable growth and development of the populations. By preventing incidences of environmental pollution, it safeguards the health of the populations and promotes peaceful coexistence. From an economic view point, the policy allows individuals to engage in their economic activities and benefit optimally from the natural resource base. However, this according to this instrument needs to put in consideration the wellbeing of the environment. This is vital in safeguarding the environment to allow future generations to benefit from it too. From an activist point of view, the policy instrument has successfully led to change in behavior and perspectives towards the environment. This has been made possible through the rigorous environmental researches that it supports. In addition, environmental education and awareness creation has ensured that all factions of the populations are conversant with the principles of effective environmental management. To a great extent, this has directly impacted on their attitude and decision making regarding environmental issues. Certainly, environmental awareness enables them to make sound decisions regarding environmental protection and management. In conclusion, this policy instrument has successfully addressed important environmental matters. Separation of related governance powers ensures effective enforcement of the instrument. Nonetheless, concentration of these powers to a single agency can yield more desirable outcomes. Works Cited Kraft, Michael. Environmental policy and politics. USA: Pearson Press, 2010. Print. Layze Judith. The environmental case: Translating values into policy. USA: CQ Press, 2011. Print. List John & Gerking Shelby. Regulatory federalism and environmental protection in the United Sates. Journal of Regional Science, 40. 3 (2000): 453-471. Print. Millimet Daniel and Fredriksson Per. Strategic interaction and the determination of environmental policy across US States. Journal of Urban Economics, 51.1 (2002): 101-122. Print. Rosenbaum Walter. Environmental politics and policy. USA: CQ Press, 2010. Print. Sigman Hilary. Letting states do the dirty work: State responsibility for federal environmental regulation. National Tax Journal, 1-12. Print. Vig Norman & Kraft Michael. Environmental policy: New directions for the twenty first century. USA: CQ Press, 2012. Print. Read More