Environmental policy

Precarious Economies: Exploring the Use of Environmental Indicators to Predict Economic Instability

by Curt Gervich

On August 5th, 2011 the Standard and Poor’s (S&P) international credit bureau, one of three agencies that provide... more On August 5th, 2011 the Standard and Poor’s (S&P) international credit bureau, one of three agencies that provide national credit assessments of a country’s ability to take on and pay down debt, downgraded the United States’ credit rating from its highest level, AAA+, to its second best rating, AA+. The downgrade marked the first time in history that the U.S. did not receive the highest rating from any of the three credit scoring firms.

The S&P report limited its critique of the U.S. economy to the current fiscal crisis. However, this paper speculates that the economic failings that led to the downgrade could perhaps have been foreseen by observing specific environmental indicators. In particular, national petroleum consumption, CO2 emissions per capita (both high, in the case of the U.S.), and the return on investment that a nation receives for its pollution (annual GDP/annual CO2 emissions; low, in the case of the U.S.) could be useful environmental indicators of a country's future fiscal performance. Moreover, these environmental indicators may be a sort of “early warning” system that can predict a nation’s financial collapse before it is predicted by standard financial indicators (such as debt levels). This article suggests a possible mechanism for such a link, and uses these indicators to speculate which other AAA+ countries may be the next to encounter fiscal challenges that lead to credit downgrades.

Australia's carbon tax: A sheep in wolf's clothing?

by Alex Lo

Spash, C.L. & Lo, A.Y. (2012) The Economic and Labour Relations Review, Vol. 23, No. 1, 2012: 67-86.

The Australian Government has produced a CO2-equivalent tax proposal with a difference: it is a short prelude to an... more The Australian Government has produced a CO2-equivalent tax proposal with a difference: it is a short prelude to an emission trading scheme that will allow the increasing rate of emissions to continue, while being a net cost to the Treasury. That cost extends to allowing major emitters to make guaranteed windfall profits from pollution permits. The emission trading scheme suffers numerous problems, but the issues raised in this article show that taxes can also be watered down and made ineffectual through concessions. Taxpayers will get no assets from the billions of dollars to be spent buying-off the coal generators or other polluters. The scheme seeks to stimulate private investors to create an additional 12 per cent in renewable electricity generation by 2020. A really serious emissions reducing alternative would need to create a nationalised electricity sector with 100 per cent renewable energy within a decade. We explore the limitations of Australia's carbon tax plan which has now passed into law.

Democracy by Proxy: Environmental NGOs and Policy Change in Mexico

by Raul Pacheco-Vega

Democracy in the Woods: The Politics of Institutional Change in India's Forest Areas

by Prakash Kashwan

Dissertation

Extended abstract included. Extended abstract included.

Top Down Planning from the Bottom Up? Vision 2020 and the Challenges of Participatory Environmental Governance

by Rich Oddie

Damian White A Green Industrial Revolution Sustainable Technological Innovation in a Global Age

by Damian White

Sympathetic critique of Natural Capitalism and Factor Four literatures......some initial attempts to formulate questions that a critical sociology of design should be asking......

Technonatures Introduction White Wilbert

by Damian White

An attempt to survey and think through the political implications of hybridity discourses such as Latour and Haraway for environmental politics. This is the introductory chapter from D.White and C.Wilbert (Eds) Technonatures: Environments, Technologies, Spaces, and Places in the Twenty-first CenturyISBN13: 978-1-55458-150-4, 2009.

Lots of other really interesting cuts in the book from Erik Swyngedouw, Sarah Whatmore, Mike Michael, Steve Hinchliffe and others ...check it out at Available from http://www.wlu.ca/press/Catalog/white-wilbert.shtml

Canadian environmental diplomacy and the organizing principles of globalization

by Rosalind Warner

Subscription Required to Canadian Foreign Policy Journal 11(2) Winter 2004

In this article about Canada's environmental policy choices, the author contrasts two different organizing principles... more In this article about Canada's environmental policy choices, the author contrasts two different organizing principles for global governance advanced within the international community: the first is an overarching project to link environmentalism with the global liberal political economy, and, is broadly labelled economistic environmentalism. Within this view, policy implications are prescribed by the doctrines of eco-efficiency and state competitiveness. The second organizing principle arises in direct opposition to the intensification of globalization and inequalities, encompasses what might be termed radical sustainability, and incorporates equity, accountability and ethics as normative purposes guiding policy decision making.

Analysing institutional arrangements for agrienvironmental schemes in Europe: ITAES WP4 Final Report

by Melf-Hinrich Ehlers

Achieving environmental goals in a competitive electricity market?: Post-colonial Hong Kong, public choice and the role of government

by Alex Lo

Lo, A. Y. H. (2008) Energy and Environment, 19(7), pp. 958-978.

Keywords: ELECTRICITY POLICY, ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, HONG KONG

This paper critically assesses the discourse of electricity market liberalization in Hong Kong, China and makes policy... more This paper critically assesses the discourse of electricity market liberalization in Hong Kong, China and makes policy recommendations from an environmental perspective. For both economic and environmental reasons, local advocates urge for an immediate opening of the electricity market currently monopolized by two private companies. Their neglect of the fact that a competitive green power market is a function of adequate public support in the form of market demand may place the environmental agenda at a disadvantage. Given that environmental issues are yet a dominant concern in this growth-oriented economy, a new facilitative role of the government is of particular importance to prevent the market from being dominated by short-term, rational economic behaviours. Mild changes with an emphasis of a transformation in the roles of different players, which the government is hesitant to initiate, are suggested.

Policy misfits, climate change and cross-scale vulnerability in coastal Africa: how development projects undermine resilience

by Dr. Matthew Bunce

ALCOFORADO, A Trajetória dos Fundamentos das politicas Ambientais - do comando e controle à abordagem neo institucionalista

by Ihering Guedes Alcoforado

Agua potable y saneamiento

by Alex Ricardo Caldera Ortega

Cuadernillo no. 16, producto de la Estancia de Investigación en la Dirección de Estudios Legislativos: Política y Estado (Instituto Belisariop Domínguez) del Senado de la República, México, julio de 2011.

El presente documento es un análisis del proceso político alrededor de la iniciativa de Ley de Agua Potable y... more El presente documento es un análisis del proceso político alrededor de la iniciativa de Ley de Agua Potable y Saneamiento presentada ante el Senado de la República en febrero de 2009. También se tiene por objeto el contenido de dicha iniciativa en términos de su alcance y repercusiones en torno a crear un marco regulatorio efectivo en este subsector para asegurar no sólo eficiencia y eficacia en la prestación del servicio, sino generar condiciones para conseguir objetivos sociales de equidad en el acceso para todos los mexicanos y sostenibilidad ambiental.

Rural Elected Officials, Environmental Policy, and Economic Composition

by Mark McBeth

Co-authored with Keith Bennett

This research uses an alternative economic composition methodology that classifies 52 Idaho rural communities. This... more This research uses an alternative economic composition methodology that classifies 52 Idaho rural communities. This methodology classifies communities as dependent, diversified, or post-industrial. A survey was mailed to elected officials (mayors and city council) from the sample of 52 rural communities to examine whether there is a relationship between environmental policy support and economic type. One hundred and thirty-three respondents (48%) returned the surveys. The findings reveal that the economic composition of the community was related to views of environmental policy on 7 of 16 measures while controlling for gender, political ideology, and age.

Suggested Citation

Mark K. McBeth and Keith Bennett. "Rural Elected Officials, Environmental Policy, and Economic Composition." Policy Studies Journal 29.1 (2001): 118-128.

The New West in the Context of Extractive Commodity Theory: The Case of Bison Brucellosis in Yellowstone National Park

by Mark McBeth

Co-authored with Joseph M. Morris

Abstract
Extractive commodity theory suggests that rural communities’ transformation from “Old West” to “New... more Abstract
Extractive commodity theory suggests that rural communities’ transformation from “Old West” to “New West” economies should produce populations that are supportive of environmental initiatives and trusting of environmental groups. Using the Yellowstone-area bison-brucellosis conflict as a case, we explore this possibility as well as the influence of age, sex, percent of life lived in the community and perception of Montana’s economic composition on the New West’s support for environmental initiatives and trust of information sources. Surveys were sent to two New West communities in Montana that were embroiled in the 1996–1997 bison controversy. One hundred and twenty-four of 225 surveys were returned (55%). The results indicate that respondents were supportive of protecting bison, trusting of information sources associated with the ranching industry, and that only perception of the economic composition of Montana was consistently related to these variables. The theoretical implications of this study are explored.

Suggested Citation

Joseph M. Morris and Mark K. McBeth. ""The New West in the Context of Extractive Commodity Theory: The Case of Bison Brucellosis in Yellowstone National Park"" Social Science Journal 40.2 (2003): 233-247.

Toward policy integration: Assessing carbon capture and storage policies in Japan and Norway

by Atsushi Ishii

The objective of this paper is to develop independent and systematic criteria for assessing CCS policy in terms of its... more The objective of this paper is to develop independent and systematic criteria for assessing CCS policy in terms of its level of policy integration. We believe that we should assess CCS policy in terms of the distance to an ideal integrated CCS policy in order to keep track of its trajectory toward sustainable development. After reviewing the existing literature of environmental policy integration, an assessment framework for integrated CCS policy is developed based on Arild Underdal’s notion of ‘integrated policy’ then, its usefulness is demonstrated by applying it to CCS policies in Japan and Norway. In the final part, we summarize the findings of the cases and conclude with some observations regarding explanatory factors of the difference in terms of the achieved level of policy integration between Japan and Norway’s CCS policies, and some policy implications derived from the analysis based on the framework.

Global implications of a European environmental tax reform

by Christine Polzin

Co-authored with Stefan Giljum and Christian Lutz

Environmental tax reform (ETR) can be used as an instrument to reduce the EU’s resource consumption as well as its CO2... more Environmental tax reform (ETR) can be used as an instrument to reduce the EU’s resource consumption as well as its CO2 emissions and thus achieve more sustainable and responsible development by taking into account the external costs of consumption and production. So far, experiences with ETR have been limited and small in scale. This paper analyses the potential economic and environmental implications of an ambitious and far-reaching ETR on the EU and its trading partners. It finds that unilateral action by the EU only makes a small contribution to EU resource security and is insignificant in terms of global environmental sustainability. A larger ETR in the EU in the context of global cooperation produces more substantial results, reducing global material extraction by around 5% and global CO2 emissions by more than 15%, while reducing world GDP by only 1.4%. The results show that in a cooperative global context, the economic impacts on the rest of the world of a major ETR in Europe are small but that the environmental benefits can be significant.

Public Opinion for Sale: The Role of Policy Marketers in Greater Yellowstone Policy Conflict

by Mark McBeth

Co-authored with Elizabeth A. Shanahan

This article develops a macro-level theory of framing to explain the intractable or wicked nature of environmental... more This article develops a macro-level theory of framing to explain the intractable or wicked nature of environmental policy. Using conflict in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) as a case study, we review how proposed solutions technical, scientific, and economic often lead to inadequate policy solutions. We then propose that interest groups, the media, and elected officials do not act solely as linkage mechanisms, but, rather, as policy marketers who market public opinion to citizens. The macro-level trends of a marketing culture in tandem with the rise of consumerism are explored in the context of GYA politics. Finally, we describe how our proposed macro-level theory of framing points to a rich research agenda for empirically testing questions about issue framing, policy marketers, and public opinion formation in environmental policy conflict.
Suggested Citation

Mark K. McBeth and Elizabeth A. Shanahan. "“Public Opinion for Sale: The Role of Policy Marketers in Greater Yellowstone Policy Conflict”" Policy Sciences 37.3 (2004): 319-338.

The Science of Storytelling: Measuring Policy Beliefs in Greater Yellowstone

by Mark McBeth

Co-authored with Elizabeth A. Shanahan and Michael D. Jones

This study of Greater Yellowstone interest groups uses a mixed methodology that addresses methodological criticisms of... more This study of Greater Yellowstone interest groups uses a mixed methodology that addresses methodological criticisms of narrative policy analysis. Three research questions guide the research: (1) Is it possible to connect narratives found in public consumption documents to interest group policy beliefs? (2) Can narratives be made falsifiable? (3) Does a quantified method add to the usefulness and explanatory power of narrative policy analysis? Seventy-five public consumption documents from the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and the Blue Ribbon Coalition were content analyzed for policy beliefs. The results indicate statistically significant differences between the two groups for all three policy beliefs: federalism, science, and the relationship between humans and nature. Despite these statistically significant results, some of the findings run counter to expectations. The implications of the study's methodological approach are explored.

Suggested Citation

Mark K. McBeth, Elizabeth A. Shanahan, and Michael D. Jones. "The Science of Storytelling: Measuring Policy Beliefs in Greater Yellowstone." Society and Natural Resources 18.May/June (2005): 413-429.

The Intersection of Narrative Policy Analysis and Policy Change Theory

by Mark McBeth

Co-authored with Elizabeth A. Shanahan, Ruth J. Arnell, Paul L. Hathaway

Narrative policy analysis and policy change theory rarely intersect in the literature. This research proposes an... more Narrative policy analysis and policy change theory rarely intersect in the literature. This research proposes an integration of these approaches through an empirical analysis of the narrative political strategies of two interest groups involved in policy debate and change over an eight year period in the Greater Yellowstone Area. Three research questions are explored: (1) Is it possible to reconcile these seemingly disparate approaches? (2) Do policy narrative strategies explain how interest groups expand or contain policy issues, despite divergent core policy beliefs? (3) How does this new method of analysis add to the literature? One hundred and five documents from the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and the Blue Ribbon Coalition were content analyzed for policy narrative strategies: identification of winners and losers, diffusion or concentration of costs and benefits, and use of condensation symbols, policy surrogates, and science. Five of seven hypotheses were confirmed while controlling for presidential administration and technical expertise. The results indicate that interest groups do use distinctive narrative strategies in the turbulent policy environment.

KEY WORDS: Advocacy Coalition Framework, Greater Yellowstone Area, interest groups, narrative policy analysis, policy change

Suggested Citation

Mark K. McBeth, Elizabeth A. Shanahan, Ruth J. Arnell, Paul L. Hathaway. "The Intersection of Narrative Policy Analysis and Policy Change Theory." Policy Studies Journal 35.1 (2007): 87-108.