Study Questions

  1. Describe the policy-making activities in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. What was the approach, and what was accomplished in terms of laws passed?
  2. Explain the approaches to environmental policy making, including command and control, direct regulation, subsidies, and collaborative decision making. How does the proposal called Cap and Trade work, and for what environmental issue is it being considered?
  3. What is the EPA and in which branch of government does it work? What role does the EPA play in environmental policy making? How does it work with the states?
  4. Define the terms CAFE standards, Environmental Impact Statement, and Toxic Release inventory.
  5. What is the United States doing relative to climate change, and what new policy approaches are being considered, including sustainable approaches, ecosystem management, user fees, and multiple-use approaches?