Tag: public policy2
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Environmental Science and Speaking Truth to Power
Denying the science of global warming is absurd, but accepting the science of climate change does not require decision-makers to accept the policy prescriptions of climate scientists.
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Paying for Infrastructure
Privatization is seen by some as a way of rebuilding America’s infrastructure more efficiently than public sector reconstruction, but experience with privatization is mixed. Sometimes it works well; sometimes it doesn’t.
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Mass Transit in the Sustainable City
An effective transportation system is to the sustainable city what a well-functioning circulatory system is to a healthy human being. New York City has developed along the path of its subway system.
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Back to Public Service
Encouraging public service requires constant effort at promoting a value and sense of ethics that is essential to national well-being. The broad consensus of shared values is the basis of our political stability and that stability is why the American story remains one of positive, forward moving progress. T
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Miracle on the Potomac: The New Bipartisan Law Regulating Toxics
The new law is far from perfect, but it is a major improvement over the ineffectual 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act. Under that law, only five of the over 80,000 chemicals now in use have been banned or substantially restricted in use.
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Psychology of Environmental Decision Making and Sustainable Behavior
Countries vary dramatically in their records of environmental responsibility. Some nations such as Switzerland and Norway are well known for their willingness to sacrifice for the future good, while countries such Iraq and South Africa lag far behind. There are certainly socio-economic reasons for these stark differences, but is it also possible that human psychology…
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Understanding GHG emissions: Stock vs. Flows
In discussing climate change and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a key distinction must be made between the stock of GHGs in the atmosphere, and the flow of GHGs, primarily emissions. Understanding this difference is crucial for designing and implementing policies to effectively address the problem. Because a bathtub is something that most of us are…
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Cash for More Than Just Clunkers
Our inability to predict policy outcomes was once again confirmed this week by the wildly popular Cash for Clunkers program. The program provides between $3,500 and $4,500 to anyone who trades in an older auto for a shiny new car that has better fuel efficiency. One billion dollars was originally allocated for the program, which…
