Stern Environmental Laws to Defend the Planet on Pollution
Pollution and resultant depletion of the ozone layer has increased at an alarming rate hence posing a danger to the planet. The laws available create loopholes, which are exploited for organizations to cause environmental degradation. Therefore, there is a dire need to make changes to the statutes. Organizations have to install internally systems that promote environmentally friendly initiatives. This interesting study offers insight into environmental laws. This paper seeks to discuss the need to institute stern environmental protection laws. The article will focus on the loopholes in available laws, advantages of stern measures, support for these laws, and need for the laws at this time.
The world is increasingly grappling with problems related to environment degradation. However, one of the challenges that have hindered environmental protection and stemming of environmental degradation is lack of effective laws. In the United States of America, 83 out of 100 residents suggested that stern laws should be implemented in regulation of environmental activities. In addition, the costs of formulating and implementation the law are high due to lack of strict measures specifically instituted to tackle environmental issues. The number of Americans who are willing to carter for high costs reduced from 65 to 60 out of a hundred in the year 2003. Kathryn Dickey noted that “We are all part of the environment activist, so we ought to protect it as our daily responsibility. Legal actions in respect to environmental regulation issues may include breach of duty due to negligence against a defendantor exposure to dangerous waste as in tort. This is a move that should be endorsed by everybody as we are all liable for our actions and steps towards environmental upgrade” (The Hunger Project).
Environmental laws allowing citizens to sue companies that pollute the environmental are deficient. The main practice of environmental litigation focuses on the protection of people and places by implementing environmental laws. Jay Pendergrass, a senior attorney at the Environmental, states, “States are free to pass their own rules regarding the environment as the main government implements little conditions in the environmental field. This regulation will allow state citizens to sue business firms and companies for environmental degradation and other vices committed like infractions” (Natural Resources Defense Council). These regulations will allow authorities detain and sue companies that ignores the warning to cease pollution or unable to complete the environmental assessments program as directed (Gaia Foundation)
Environmental friendly measures have been instituted in some regions. Some of these regions include China that forms part of the global community. China has shown impressive progress in the environmental protection field in the recent past. Chinese members of the legislature have fully approved the main changes to the environmental shield law over the past 25 years. This is a promising greater power for all conservational specialists while imposing stricter penalties for those responsible for contamination. The Standing Committee of National People’s Congress have made changes and endorsed them. Anne Harvey, an attorney at Earth Justice, a national reputable nonprofit making law firm notes, “This firm makes use of litigation among other honorable forms of advocacy to improve the enforcement and development of environmental regulations. This, at large, symbolizes progress as we engage in suing federal representatives using the environmental laws” (Gaia Foundation).
Environmental regulations and general awareness have risen in recent decades. In the 1970s, the United States experienced an upsurge in environmental regulations like the National Environmental Policy Act; which provided a framework for creating environmental policies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was formed in 1970 to oversee companies’ compliance with laws. The regulations resulting from these laws and initiatives drew both celebration and criticism for their perceived merits and demerits. The Earth justice works on cases of regional or national significance hence incomprehensive. Buxton said, “I am a happy man to be part of defending our resources for the future generations and myself. This job requires a lot of investigation and writing about the regulations surrounding certain environmental laws. I recommend that there be better ways of implementing these regulations and enlightening people by training them using programs related to these policies. I therefore encourage that there be an environmental regulation training initiatives for all from local people to state and federal government agents” (Buxton). The largest prevailing issue in environmental regulations is the climate change that is altering the planet.
There are advantages of these initiatives as discussed below. Upcoming Efforts to create a legal policy organization to moderate the impacts of climate change, is active to increase the environmental adaptability to the changes and conditions in all circumstances. In respect to climatic changes, there are ideas that have led to the adoption of new laws. They include the management of diminishing freshwater resource and creation of the energy from renewable springs. The law allows the licensing of businesses that promote the reduction of greenhouse gases. One advantage is preservation of ecology and natural habitat to host animals and plants. Threats to major ecological matters pose danger to the water supplies and air circulations in United States.
Pollution regulations ought to be upgraded because contamination from non-profit foundations is still not regulated. It comprises the control in the application of fertilizers and pesticides used for shift lawns and agriculture. Buxton said, “This issue is a big delinquent in Florida. One of our most vital cases concerns necessitates the Environmental Protection Agency and the nation to adopt restrictions on animal manure, fertilizer, and sewage pollution that is producing an uprising number of poisonous slime outbreaks into the rivers and lakes. These epidemics are an increasing problem to the wellbeing of people and the state’s tourism-based activities (Buxton)”. In addition, conservation of endangered species from direct impacts of climatically effects and changes is on high alert.
Conservation initiatives call for combined efforts. The enforcement of national environmental regulations related to mining of crude oil in the Gulf of Mexico enhances these efforts. Oil spill and other vices have led to the development of new rules to contain the menace. Another advantage includes increased productivity in terms of plants production and animal rearing. There are federal representatives and agents such as the United States Corps of Engineers EPL, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and fish, renewable energy and the United States Department of Energy/Energy Efficiency that deals with environmental conservation (Gaia Foundation). Nelson outlined “In the event of oil spills, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management that deals with Regulation and Enforcement of law is answerable for permitting oil and gas mining. The office and others key stakeholders are working to address this issue to make sure that mining safety is in line with the underlined rules. We concurrently work to encourage cleaner forms of energy production. Since, ecological law covers a wide area; employment opportunities are now available at both levels of federal and national government (Nelson 90)”. Proponents of these measures denote that without proper laws, the earth is headed for destruction. Human beings are competitive in nature and care less about nature in absence of laws. This would attract massive destruction in pursuit of wealth. Dickey uncovered that “Knowledge is a key factor to a healthier and pollution-free society. Most environmental lawyers have the same basic goals in mind. People grow in a progressive manner once representing others on different sides of an issue (Dickey 78)”. My views and recommendation is that stringent measures be put in place to cater for the welfare of this planet both in the short-run and long run periods. Hence, working to ensure the world is safer for the generations to come is one of the goals of environmental conservationist.
In conclusion, stringent laws are needed to contain human action that puts the world at a disadvantageous state. These laws will enhance and facilitates the implementation of measures that encourages the use of clean energy. This is because of the fact that humanity depends on the environment for food and water as shown in the passage. Nation need to pull together in these issues in promotes a pollution free environment. This is possible through the provision and implementation of strict laws. Therefore, the implementation of stricter laws is not a choice for the world in an attempt to protect planet. The responsibility of making the world a better place is a collective. Environmental laws and regulations implementation should begin at grass roots level where massive pollution takes place. Countries should tackle environmental degradation through making coherent laws that are inclusive and plug in the loopholes exploited by unscrupulous individuals and organizations while degrading the environment.
Works Cited
Buxton, Nick. “The Law of Mother Earth: Behind Bolivia’s Historic Bill: Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature.” Rights of Nature. Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature, 10 May 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. <http://therightsofnature.org/bolivia-law-of-mother-earth/>.
Dickey, James. To the White Sea. 2nd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2012. Print.
Gaia Foundation. “Earth Jurisprudence – Earth Law.” Gaia Foundation. Gaia Foundation, 7 Mar. 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. <http://www.gaiafoundation.org/earth-centred-law>.
Natural Resources Defense Council. “NRDC: Environmental Laws and Treaties.” Natural Resources Defense Council – The Earth’s Best Defense | NRDC. Natural Resources Defense Council, 12 Feb. 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. <http://www.nrdc.org/reference/laws.asp>.
Nelson, Arthur C. Environmental Regulations and Housing Costs. Washington DC: Island Press, 2010. Print.
The Hunger Project. “Protecting and Preserving Our Planet: Earth Day 2015.” The Hunger Project. saforian, 12 Aug. 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. <http://www.thp.org/news/protecting-and-preserving-our-planet-earth-day-2015/>.