Environmental Politics Paper

Environmental Politics

Politics encompass all the policies and principles the government passes.  What our nation does in the white house, our government, affects the environment immensely.  We call this effect—environmental politics.  Through the policies and laws our government adopts, we directly affect the ecosystems in which we live.  Many refer to the democrats as the pro-green party; generally, they support policies which help reduce pollution and green house gases.  Environmental Laws, however, are policies which result in penalty if not followed.  “Environmental law is an organized way of using all of the laws in a nation’s legal system to minimize, prevent, punish, or remedy the consequences of actions that damage or threaten the environment.” (pg 39, The Biosphere.)  Environmental laws are designed to help protect the environment and/or human health.  Most of the laws protect: air, water, endangered species, forests, hazardous waste sites, and agricultural pesticides.   

            In recent years, there has been lots of controversy associated with the Kyoto Agreement.  The Kyoto Agreement is an international attempt to set binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions.   According to the United Nations, “The Kyoto Protocol establishes legally binding commitments for the reduction of four greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride), and two groups of gases (hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons) produced by "Annex I" (industrialized) nations, as well as general commitments for all member countries. As of January 14 2009[update], 183 parties have ratified the protocol,[2] which was initially adopted for use on 11 December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan and which entered into force on 16 February 2005.” 

            This agreement was signed in the U.S. by Bill Clinton; however, it was not ratified in the senate.  And when George W. Bush took office, he withdrew the U.S. from the agreement.  The U.S. withdrawal created much controversy from scientists and democrats.  Bush called for more scientific research on climate change before he signed the treaty; to know one’s surprise, that day never took place.  The U.S., who contributes ¼ of all carbon dioxide emissions, fails to corporate with environmental laws.  Why?  Many blame it on the republican party—this is not the only answer, simply a escape-goat for democrats.  The real answer is our culture as a whole; we idolize success and status symbols.  Big houses, big cars, lots of cars are the norm for the wealthy.  Even the leading activist on green-house reductions lives in a “mansion.”  Al Gore, winner of the nobel peace prize, has been criticized for being a hypocrite.  Gore’s house has some 20 rooms and generates more than 20 times more electricity than the average household.  (http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=367)

            In order for the U.S. to really step in and tackle this environemntal issue, we need cultural attitude to change.  Sadly, it is my opinion it will not—at least in my lifetime.  This is why it is so hard to enforce these environmental laws.  The kyoto agreements was a step in the right direction, however, not to successful.  Even with 193 nations in agreement, there all sub-par to the U.S.  As I said earlier, we contribute ¼ of all carbon dioxide emissions.

            In conclusion, the Kyoto agreement has and will continue to be a subject of controversy!

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