Unit 5: Environmental Law
While our moral and ethical codes form the foundation for our attitude toward our environment, many of us forget these prescriptions when economics come into play. We need to create environmental laws to help us protect what we value most. Since the 1960s, the environmental movement has successfully pushed for ever-increasing changes to our environmental laws. In this unit we explore how introducing laws to protect the environment has altered and benefited our world. We consider major environmental laws in the United States and European Union (arguably the most advanced environmental law application).
Completing this unit should take you approximately 7 hours.
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- identify major events in the history of environmental law;
- describe key environmental laws in the United States and the European Union;
- assess the impact of these environmental laws; and
- evaluate the effectiveness of current international environmental laws, and identify ways the laws can be improved.
- identify major events in the history of environmental law;
5.1: History of Environmental Law
This presentation briefly covers the environmental history in the United States in the context of both federal and state laws.
This timeline provides a short explanation of the major events that have occurred during the history of the EPA. As you read, consider whether any of them have affected your life.
5.2: Environmental Law in the United States
The material summarizes the major federal, state, and international laws and treaties entered into by the United States. Pay attention to how federal and state laws work and compare these later in Unit 5 to how EU laws and Member State laws work.
Read this detailed history behind the introduction and implementation of the NEPA. This Act is often regarded as the foundations of modern-day environmental policy in the United States. After you read, try to determine how the Act may have shaped the environment for the better. What parts of the Act do you believe may have the greatest positive impact on preserving the environment?
Read the brief introduction to the Clean Water Act. How do you think the Act may have helped to improve the health of U.S. citizens?
Read this introduction to the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
This article summarizes some key environmental laws. How do you think environmental law may take shape in the future, do you think regulations will become more stringent, and how do you think politics may play a part in this future?
After you have finished watching/reading, reflect on the following questions. If you wish, please post your thoughts on the discussion forum. Leave a reply to your classmates’ posts as well!
Did you know that the ESA not only protects and preserves species, it also protects local economies? Example: Protecting salmon species supports commercial and recreational fishing.
Search online and find another species that is currently being protected so as to support a local economy.
5.3: Environmental Law in the European Union
Read this section which gives an overview of European environmental assessment and the EIA Directive.
Read this section, which gives an introduction to the history of the European Union.
Consider the following questions as you read this material: How do you feel about the progress being made in the EU? Do you think it is an example for the world to follow, or is there still room for improvement?
5.4: The Impact of Environmental Law
Read this article, which provides a summary of the benefits of the introduction of emission standards for road vehicles in the European Union. Follow the links in the article to read about the background of the various initiatives that have reduced air pollution in member states. How do you believe better air quality will improve the health of EU citizens?
Read these two articles, which will give you some background on types of sources of pollution. This week while driving or walking around your neighborhood, look for possible sources of pollution? Are they Point or Nonpoint source pollution examples?
Read this article, which provides a summary of the issues surrounding the Hinkley Groundwater Contamination made very famous in the movie with Julia Roberts "Erin Brockovich". If you have not seen this movie before you may want to watch to see environmental justice and law in action. This was one of the largest environmental class action suits in history.
Read this article, which looks at problems with the United States' environmental policies. After you read, analyze the ethics of the article. Do you believe it is acceptable to have separate rules and regulations for different countries?
5.5: The Future of Environmental Law
This article summarizes the textbook The Future of International Environmental Law (Leary and Pisupati, 2010). Capture the three main points of the summary, and see if you can justify which may have the greatest influence on improving the effectiveness of environmental law.
Read this article, which summarizes major international environmental events and treaties of the past several decades. It goes on to identify and discuss shortcomings in the current international environmental framework, and propose principles to ensure environmental compliance and action in the 21st century. As you read through the article, pick out some of the arguments that you believe are key to ensuring environmental sustainability for our future. Can you think of any other ideas?
Unit 5 Assessment
- Receive a grade
Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.
- This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
- You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
- You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.