Activity 4.2 Environmental Policy Frameworks

[ Sorry for the HUGE image professor ! I kept trying to export my chart in different files types but nothing would work. So the best option was to copy paste it straight from my apple pages. This is the original size of the file. If I tweak it any the whole images pixels start blurring and the words become illegible. ]

Justification:

    The selection of these five environmental policy frames is based on their potential to address key environmental challenges and promote sustainable solutions. Each frame represents a different aspect of environmental policy and offers unique approaches to benefit the environment.

    The sustainability frame is crucial because it emphasizes the integration of economic, social, and environmental considerations. "Sustainable solutions involve finding innovative approaches that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (Davis and Lewicki, 2003, p. X). By promoting sustainable practices, it ensures that the needs of the present generation are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This frame recognizes the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic systems and encourages long-term thinking and planning.

    The conservation frame focuses on the protection and preservation of natural resources and ecosystems. It recognizes the intrinsic value of biodiversity and the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems for the well-being of both humans and the planet. By advocating for the establishment of protected areas, sustainable land and water management practices, and biodiversity conservation, this frame helps safeguard the environment for future generations.

    Addressing climate change is a global priority, and the climate change mitigation frame plays a vital role in this effort. It emphasizes the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy. By promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate-resilient infrastructure, this frame helps mitigate the impacts of climate change and contributes to a more sustainable future.

    The environmental justice frame is essential to ensure that environmental policies consider the disproportionate impact of environmental issues on marginalized communities. It advocates for equitable access to clean air, water, and resources and seeks to address environmental inequalities. By involving affected communities in decision-making processes, this frame helps ensure that environmental policies are inclusive and promote social equity.

    The circular economy frame offers a different perspective on environmental policy by focusing on resource efficiency and waste reduction. It promotes a shift from a linear economy to a circular economy that aims to minimize waste, promote recycling and reuse, and prioritize sustainable production and consumption patterns. By adopting a circular economy approach, we can reduce our ecological footprint and promote a more sustainable use of resources.

    In conclusion, these five environmental policy frames provide a comprehensive approach to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable solutions. By integrating sustainability, conservation, climate change mitigation, environmental justice, and circular economy perspectives into policy-making, we can work towards a more sustainable and equitable future. These frames offer a holistic and multidimensional approach to environmental policy that takes into account the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic systems and strives to benefit both present and future generations.

Citations/Resources

Cohen, S., Wannemacher, J., & Weisbecker, P. (2014). Understanding environmental policy (2nd ed.). Columbia University Press.

Environmental Framing Consortium. (2005). Framing choices. Understanding Environmental Problems. http://www.intractableconflict.org/environmentalframing/framing_choices.shtml

Kaufman, L. (2010, October 18). In Kansas, climate skeptics embrace cleaner energy. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/science/earth/19fossil.html

Nordhaus, H. (2018, February 2). What Trump’s shrinking of national monuments actually means. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/12/trump-shrinks-bears-ears-grand-staircase-escalante-national-monuments/

Popovich, N., Albech-Ripka, L., & Pierre-Louis, K. (2019, June 7). 83 environmental rules being rolled back under Trump. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/climate/trump-environment-rollbacks.html