Which Countries Have The Strictest Environmental Laws? (2023, October 12). The

     Lawyer Portal. Retrieved January 27, 2024, from

     https://www.thelawyerportal.com/blog/

     which-countries-have-the-strictest-environmental-laws/

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As climate change is affecting countries around the globe, legislation around environmental issues is becoming more significant. Overall, the countries that have adopted the most restrictive environmental laws include Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Brazil, and Canada. In an effort to increase environmental protection, these countries are fostering green innovation and pioneering environmental stewardship. For instance, Germany has implemented the Renewable Energy Act (EEG), which promotes the use of wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources. Similarly, Denmark’s Energy Agreement for Growth focuses on expanding wind energy, emphasizing pollution control, and protecting biodiversity. Additionally, Sweden has established The Swedish Environmental Code, Brazil has The Brazilian Forest Code, and Canada seeks to improve environmental health through The Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

This article identifies the countries around the world that have the strictest environmental laws and regulations. By outlining the goals of these environmental directives, the article reflects our population’s collective recognition of the urgency to mitigate climate change. I found the summarized legislation extremely noteworthy, and I think the United States would benefit from adopting some of the same laws. I also found it comforting to read that such a significant portion of the world acknowledges the eminent need to protect our planet.

Nairobi. (2023, November 22). As a new era of environmental rule of law takes

     shape, UN recommends good practices. UN Environment Programme. Retrieved

     January 27, 2024, from https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/

     new-era-environmental-rule-law-takes-shape-un-recommends-good

While it’s still critical that we make improvements to our lifestyles in order to protect our planet, we have come a long way since the 1972 Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment. Although climate change has worsened, it’s important to acknowledge that we have made significant progress, as nearly all countries have established laws, policies, and regulations that aim to protect the environment. Additionally, with the rise in technology and innovation, we’ve been able to revolutionize environmental enforcement through drones, satellites, and artificial intelligence. Moreover, advanced technology can help us detect illegal activities such as deforestation and poaching, motivating people to steer clear of those harmful acts.

This article centers around the recent transformations in environmental laws and regulations. With inventions like drones and AI, I’m confident we’ll be able to reduce harmful activities to the environment and ultimately help conserve our planet. I think this article was effective in communicating good environmental practices recommended by the UN, conveying the progress we’ve made, and detailing future directions. 

Ligere, E. (2023, November 30). Environmental Law 2023. Chambers and Partners.

     Retrieved January 27, 2024, from https://practiceguides.chambers.com/

     practice-guides/environmental-law-2023

This article concerning Environmental Law in 2023 underscores the significant global disruption and conflict during this last year. Given the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and cataclysmic environmental events, the world is fighting structural instability and food and water shortages. Therefore, the U.S. has been making developments to the Green New Deal, such as pushing decarbonizing energy, prohibiting deforestation in the Amazon and other rainforests, and increasing climate change enforcement action. Furthermore, the United Nations formed an environmental assembly in which they established an agenda for sustainable development. Meanwhile, conventions in Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm agreed on global treaties to protect human health by regulating the production and disposal of hazardous waste, among other environmentally conscious practices. 

Ultimately, I found this article to provide a detailed update on the world’s current situation regarding the implementation of laws and regulations centered around protecting the environment. I was pleased to read about how “carbonomics” is at the forefront of our global agenda and that countries are increasingly acknowledging the social and economic impacts of the transition to green and renewable environmental practices. Moreover, the article communicates fundamental topics of discussion at the recent UN Climate Change Conference, disclosing important information concerning the lack of green funding in developing countries. After reading this article, I have a better sense of what we’re already doing to help the environment and what we need to do to further our progress.

Global Patterns. (2023). International Idea. Retrieved January 27, 2024, from

     https://www.idea.int/gsod/2023/chapters/global/

Climate change and the environment are important topics because they heavily impact human health and well-being. Decisions around environmental law affect our livelihoods and quality of life, making it essential that the public has a say in environmental decision-making. Therefore, many countries seek to uphold environmental democracy, which entails the public’s right to information and input about environmental law and policy. The article numbers the top ten countries with strong environmental democracy laws and explains how they allow the public to participate in major environmental decisions regarding infrastructure projects, forest management, and laws around pollution. On the contrary, some countries like Haiti and Pakistan don’t require government agencies to disclose environmental information, forcing their citizens to go to extreme measures to obtain crucial information.

This article identifies the countries that uphold environmental democracy and the countries that don’t and explains the consequences of hiding important information from the public. Additionally, the article reveals that some countries don’t even investigate closely to ensure that their mines and factories aren’t harming people and/or the surrounding environment. I found the content within this article disturbing because I value democracy and think it’s unethical for the government to conceal significant environmental information from its people. If people aren’t informed about how our planet is deteriorating, they’ll lack motivation to partake in conservation and preservation efforts. After reading this article, I think it’s necessary to implement further legislation asserting that the public has a right to all information and statistics concerning the environment.

Crusciel, D. (2023, October 2). Who is Legally Responsible for Cleaning the

     Plastic Out of the Ocean? Juris Magazine. Retrieved January 27, 2024, from

     https://sites.law.duq.edu/juris/2023/10/02/

     who-is-legally-responsible-for-cleaning-the-plastic-out-of-the-ocean/ 

Although countries are continuing to pass more and more environmental laws, their lack of implementation and enforcement is hindering their purpose. Not only is this an impediment to combating climate change, but the weak enforcement is actually aggravating environmental threats. While the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) reported that 176 different countries have established frameworks for environmental laws, many of them lack clear standards. Likewise, there are more than 50 countries with hundreds of environmental courts and tribunals; however, ministration is underfunded in both developing and developed countries. Additionally, we face conflicts in that no one is legally responsible for cleaning the oceans, enabling our oceans to become more and more polluted.

This article communicates important statistics regarding the number of countries that are putting forward immense efforts to protect our environment and slow the progression of climate change. While environmentalists frequently discuss the achievements countries are making toward mitigating climate change, this article is relevant because it acknowledges the problems with our current efforts. Therefore, it is critical that we not only establish environmental legislation but also find effective ways to promote and enforce it. 

Future of California at risk the longer landmark CEQA environmental law remains

     unchanged. (2023, April 26). Cal Matters. Retrieved July 20, 2023, from

     https://calmatters.org/housing/2023/04/california-future-environmental-law-reform/

While the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) holds favorable intentions, it is frequently exploited for reasons that have little to do with protecting the environment. For example, in a recent lawsuit, the law denied thousands of students from attending UC Berkeley and blocked the construction of on-campus student housing. As a result, the majority of newspaper editorials have urged for reform, and the government oversight agency is holding CEQA revision hearings. Additionally, CEQA obstruction has driven over 500,000 people out of California within the last two years.

This article primarily focuses on the drawbacks of the California Environmental Quality Act. Moreover, it discusses how the law has many unintended consequences, such as driving residents out of California who can no longer afford the extreme housing prices. Subsequently, these citizens are moving to states like Texas, where carbon emissions are over double compared to California. Therefore, I agree that restrictions should be imposed on who and what criteria can be used to challenge CEQA initiatives.

Truck makers pledge to comply with new California rules phasing out gas-powered

     vehicles. (2023, July 20). Spectrum News. Retrieved July 20, 2023, from

     https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/transportation/2023/07/07/

     truck-makers-pledge-to-comply-with-new-california-rules

California is working to rid itself of fossil fuels by enacting new regulations to phase out gas-powered automobiles. However, many industries are resisting these new acts because they inconvenience considerable businesses. For instance, the railroad industry sued the California Air Resources Board last month to prevent its proposals that would prohibit the use of older locomotives and require operators to invest in zero-emission appliances. Nevertheless, the companies agreed to ban the sale of new gas-powered trucks by 2036. These proposed regulations are of the utmost importance, especially since the American Lung Association concluded that California is home to six of the top ten most ozone-polluted cities.

This article underscores California’s new developments that aim to prohibit the use of gas-powered vehicles. The article’s content relates to environmental science as gas-powered vehicles, especially trucks, are largely responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, which heavily contribute to climate change. Thus, adopting the use of alternative fuels or electric vehicles would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve California’s air quality, and help conserve our natural resources. Moreover, gasoline and diesel engines depend on finite fossil fuels, which carry environmental and geopolitical repercussions. For this reason, transitioning to electric vehicles would help conserve these resources while reducing the environmental constraints associated with their use. However, it is important to note that banning gas-powered vehicles is a massive inconvenience to many industries, and implementing new regulations would be an incremental process.

Baldassare, M. (2023, July 20). California Is a Model for Climate Change Action

     When International Efforts Fall Short. Carnegie Endowment for International

     Peace. Retrieved July 28, 2023, from https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/07/

     20/california-is-model-for-climate-change-action-when-international-efforts-fall-sho

     rt-pub-90245

Global warming is a pressing issue across the globe, prompting many states to pass legislation concerning climate change matters, predominantly in the U.S. and China. Moreover, according to Baldassare’s article, 68% of Californians prefer that the state government make its own policies concerning global warming, separate from the federal government. Additionally, Baldassare asserts that “…eight in ten say that addressing global climate change is an important concern to them personally.” Therefore, these individuals support stricter environmental laws and regulations in California. For instance, forty-three percent are willing to spend more on renewable electricity sources, and eight percent currently own electric vehicles. This demonstrates the constantly evolving attitudes toward climate change that have risen in the past few decades.  

Every environment is impacted by various external factors, many of which humans influence. Namely, we are responsible for deforestation, the burning of fossil fuels, pollution, and overpopulation. Our severe ecological footprint has led to ocean acidification, soil erosion, poor air quality, undrinkable water, and countless species extinctions. Additionally, 97% of scientists conclude that humans are the ultimate cause of global warming. Therefore, among other states, California has adopted several environmental regulatory laws in an attempt to reduce our threatening ecological impact. The California government has established organizations with the intent to restore and protect the environment, as well as secure public health. Moreover, this article explores Californians’ strong opinions on the necessity of mitigating climate change.

Hobbs, S. (n.d.). These California Environmental Laws Go into Effect in 2023.

     GOVERNING. Retrieved July 13, 2023, from https://www.governing.com/next/

     these-california-environmental-laws-go-into-effect-in-2023

California governor Gavin Newsom signed several environmental bills that are expected to have profound effects in the years to come. These regulatory laws include Oil and Gas Buffer Zones (SB 1137), the California Climate Crisis Act (AB 1279), Carbon Removal (AB 1757), as well as Renewable Energy Target (SB 1020). Moreover, these policies will require California to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions as of 2045, establish programs for capturing and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and ensure that well operators satisfy specific health and environmental provisions in the future. 

This article is of the utmost relevance because it underscores the actions that California is taking in an effort to preserve the environment and slow the advance of climate change. I support each and every one of the regulatory laws that Hobbs discusses within the article, as they will hopefully have a profound effect on sustaining California’s ecosystem. For instance, removing carbon dioxide from the air and mandating renewable energy sources will help create a safer, more sustainable environment with less pollution and cleaner water. Therefore, I believe that more states should adopt these policies as they will ultimately have a grave impact on reducing the spread of global warming. 

Shannon, K., Smith, G., Smith, S., & McLeod, C. (2023, January 12).

     Environmental Developments to Watch in California in 2023. Beveridge &

     Diamond. Retrieved July 12, 2023, from https://www.bdlaw.com/publications/

     environmental-developments-to-watch-in-california-in-2023/

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     2C%202023. 

California frequently passes new laws and regulations concerning environmental policies, and this trend continues to persist in 2023. Moreover, the concept of environmental justice (EJ) has greatly influenced California’s legislative and regulatory processes, as EJ has inspired several bills and amendments. For instance, the EJ action prompted the passing of Senate Bill 11347, which functions to ban new oil and gas wells within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, and hospitals. Additionally, in regard to green marketing and greenwashing, Senate Bill 343 has prohibited the import or distribution of products and packages with fraudulent or ambiguous recyclability claims. Ultimately, this article discusses the constantly evolving environmental regulations within California and how they serve to slow the progression of climate change.

This article highlights California’s current environmental policies and their significance in the effort to sustain our ecosystems and reduce the rate of climate change. Additionally, Beveridge & Diamond’s article covers court cases that impact environmental regulatory practices in the state of California, as well as California’s commitment to renewable energy and updates concerning hazardous waste mandates. Personally, I believe that this article is valuable in the sense that it provides insight into the developing environmental landscape, and the information within the article can serve to aid researchers and policymakers in the field of environmental science. Furthermore, the article effectively sheds light on California’s attempts to manage its natural resources and address pollution and climate change obstacles through policy and legal means.