Environmental Law and Policy Short Answers and Essays

Section I-Short Answers

Section I-Short Answers Each answer should consist of At Least One Paragraph and demonstrate an understanding of the subject of the question.

1.Is the Endangered Species Act needed? Why or why not?  Are the provisions of the Act sufficient to achieve the goals of this legislation?  Why does it matter if we protect different species from extinction?

2.What is the relationship between global temperature and atmospheric CO2 levels? What evidence exists that tends to prove this relationship? What are the implications of the relationship? 

3.Should our environmental laws and policies be guided by politics, reason, science or some combination of these factors?  What is your position? Explain your position.  What are the obstacles to achieving your proposed position?  Relate this answer to at least one topic we covered in class during this semester (eg., climate change, land use, water policy, etc..)

4.Toxic substances and the side-effects of industrial and commercial activity have an impact on public health and the environment. Discuss the legal and regulatory responses to the effects of living with an environment that has been compromised by the presence of these substances and the methods we have developed in response. Discuss the importance and methods of managing contaminated properties.

Section II-Essays Each answer should consist of at least three paragraphs and demonstrate an understanding of the subject of the question and the applicable concepts covered during the course of the semester.

1.What is the value of resource-based regional planning?  Discuss the examples of regional planning in New Jersey. What are the challenges and what are the benefits?  Has a regional approach been successful or not? 

2.Is Climate Change occurring?  Support your conclusion. What are the likely consequences of continuing climate change and what responses should our society undertake to address the reasonably anticipated effects?

3.Discuss the balance of private interests and public goals in protecting the environment and implementing sustainable policies? Include a discussion of how far regulation can go before exceeding the standards set for limiting private citizens activities.  What provisions of the U.S. Constitution apply and why. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between private rights, the public’s interests and the laws that govern the intersection of these different imperatives.

Extra Credit you may answer both questions and receive credit for each dependent upon the quality of your answer. Your answer may be as long as you believe necessary to adequately convey your understanding of the concepts discussed.

a)Discuss the differences and similarities of the “Preservationist” and “Utilitarian” views of the environment and natural resources. Which approach do you prefer? Which approach do you view as more effective in providing protection of the environment and why?  Provide examples of each approach in current environmental concepts or law. 

b)John Muir personally convinced President Theodore Roosevelt to make the Yosemite Valley a National Park.  Discuss how he achieved this accomplishment. What is your opinion of the methods used by Muir and how they differ (or not) from modern day policy making and advocacy?