ENVS203: Environmental Ethics, Justice, and World Views

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.

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 this brief summary of the Clean Air Act.

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?

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?

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?

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?