Question 1

The GATT allows member nations to impose tariffs on imported products that are not "sustainably" produced (that is, that are produced in ways that cause harm to the environment).

Accepted Answer

The GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) does not have provisions for imposing tariffs based on sustainability criteria or environmental considerations. Its primary goal is to reduce trade barriers and promote free trade among member nations. However, its successor, the World Trade Organization (WTO), has included provisions for environmental protection and sustainable development in its agreement.

Question 2

The central problem in environmental law lies in determining which man has created activities that alter the environment to an unacceptable extent.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately reflects a key challenge faced by environmental law, which must balance the need for economic development and human activity with the need to protect natural ecosystems and resources. Identifying and regulating activities that harm the environment is a crucial task for environmental law and policy.

Question 3

The United Nations has done very little to address the issues of environmental matters due to the individual member nations' desire to advance their economic growth at the expense of pollution.

Accepted Answer

The United Nations has actively addressed environmental issues through various programs and agreements, such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Paris Agreement, demonstrating a commitment to tackling global environmental challenges.

Question 4

One example of a global solution to a global environmental problem is a multilateral agreement concerning depletion of the ozone layer and the production of chlorofluorocarbons.

Accepted Answer

The multilateral agreement in question is the Montreal Protocol, which was signed by almost every country in the world and aimed to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). This is an example of a global solution to a global environmental problem.

Question 5

Under principles of customary international law, no state has the right to use or to permit the use of its territory in a manner causing serious consequences or injury if the injury can be demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence.

Accepted Answer

This statement is in line with the principle of state responsibility, which holds states accountable for the actions of individuals or entities within their territory that cause harm to other states or their citizens. This principle has been recognized and applied in numerous international cases and treaties.

Question 6

Investors in developing countries face minimal risk that environmental standards in those countries will become stricter over time and therefore is a competitive advantage in locating manufacturing facilities there.

Accepted Answer

Environmental standards in developing countries have been known to become stricter over time. This can be due to pressure from international organizations, domestic protests and political shifts, and the potential economic and health implications of environmental degradation. Therefore, investors should not assume that locating manufacturing facilities in these countries will always be a competitive advantage.

Question 7

American law fails to regulate pesticides that are exported to other countries.

Accepted Answer

American law, specifically the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), regulates the export of pesticides, requiring exported pesticides to be packaged and labeled according to the importing country's requirements. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees the export of pesticides to ensure compliance with these regulations.

Question 8

Nations have made considerable progress in putting into effect regional agreements for the prevention of marine pollution.

Accepted Answer

The international community has established several regional agreements and conventions aimed at preventing marine pollution, such as the Mediterranean Action Plan, the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities, and the Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic. These agreements have resulted in significant progress in reducing and preventing various sources of marine pollution.

Question 9

Most of the developing countries of Africa and Latin America are free from the environmental pollution of the heavily industrialized nations.

Accepted Answer

While it is true that some developing countries may have less industrialization and therefore less pollution, this statement is too broad and not entirely accurate. Many developing countries in Africa and Latin America face significant environmental challenges and pollution issues, often due to rapid urbanization and industrialization.

Question 10

One dispute resolution mechanism used frequently in international disputes over the environment is binding adjudication.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One dispute resolution mechanism used frequently in...

Question 11

The Basel Convention on Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes has been adopted by over 150 nations.

Accepted Answer

The Basel Convention on Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes has been adopted by over 150 nations.

Question 12

Many developing nations in order to attract foreign investment have decided not to enforce their labor and environmental laws.

Accepted Answer

It is a common practice for developing nations to relax their labor and environmental laws to attract foreign investment.

Question 13

The most important aspect of the Basel Convention has been that the signatory nations succeeded in defining what constitutes hazardous waste and therefore gain the acceptance of member nations in enacting strict environmental laws.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The most important aspect of the Basel...

Question 14

Developing countries are enforcing their respective environmental laws in order to reduce their industrial and transportation emissions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Developing countries are enforcing their respective environmental...

Question 15

Conservationists have sought international environmental legal relief through dispute resolution, import bans, and multilateral treaties.

Accepted Answer

Conservationists have employed various legal tools, including dispute resolution mechanisms, import bans on products derived from endangered species, and participation in multilateral environmental treaties, to seek protection for the environment on an international scale.

Question 16

The Basel Convention prohibits shipments of hazardous wastes by a signatory country to a country that has not signed the convention.

Accepted Answer

The Basel Convention prohibits shipments of hazardous wastes to countries that have not signed the convention. It is known as the "Basel Ban Amendment."

Question 17

Environmental issues are generally limited to cross-border pollution such a between the United States and Mexico.

Accepted Answer

Environmental issues are not limited to cross-border pollution and can include a range of issues such as deforestation, climate change, and water pollution.

Question 18

Before a U.S. firm can export hazardous waste to a foreign country, they must have written consent from that government delivered to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Accepted Answer

This is outlined in the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, which the U.S. is a party to.

Question 19

Due to the influence of chemical industry lobbyists, the United States Congress has no regulations over the export of chemicals to developing nations.

Accepted Answer

The United States Congress does have regulations over the export of chemicals to developing nations, including requirements for labeling and safety data sheets. However, there have been concerns raised about the effectiveness and enforcement of these regulations, and the influence of chemical industry lobbyists on the development of these regulations.

Question 20

Countries of the South Pacific have been very successful in enforcing strict environmental safeguards and have entered into regional environmental cooperation to combat creeping pollution.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Countries of the South Pacific have been...

Quiz 20: Environmental Law

The GATT allows member nations to impose tariffs on imported products that are not "sustainably" produced (that is, that are produced in ways that cause harm to the environment).

The central problem in environmental law lies in determining which man has created activities that alter the environment to an unacceptable extent.

The United Nations has done very little to address the issues of environmental matters due to the individual member nations' desire to advance their economic growth at the expense of pollution.

One example of a global solution to a global environmental problem is a multilateral agreement concerning depletion of the ozone layer and the production of chlorofluorocarbons.

Under principles of customary international law, no state has the right to use or to permit the use of its territory in a manner causing serious consequences or injury if the injury can be demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence.

Investors in developing countries face minimal risk that environmental standards in those countries will become stricter over time and therefore is a competitive advantage in locating manufacturing facilities there.

American law fails to regulate pesticides that are exported to other countries.

Nations have made considerable progress in putting into effect regional agreements for the prevention of marine pollution.

Most of the developing countries of Africa and Latin America are free from the environmental pollution of the heavily industrialized nations.

One dispute resolution mechanism used frequently in international disputes over the environment is binding adjudication.

The Basel Convention on Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes has been adopted by over 150 nations.

Many developing nations in order to attract foreign investment have decided not to enforce their labor and environmental laws.

The most important aspect of the Basel Convention has been that the signatory nations succeeded in defining what constitutes hazardous waste and therefore gain the acceptance of member nations in enacting strict environmental laws.

Developing countries are enforcing their respective environmental laws in order to reduce their industrial and transportation emissions.

Conservationists have sought international environmental legal relief through dispute resolution, import bans, and multilateral treaties.

The Basel Convention prohibits shipments of hazardous wastes by a signatory country to a country that has not signed the convention.

Environmental issues are generally limited to cross-border pollution such a between the United States and Mexico.

Before a U.S. firm can export hazardous waste to a foreign country, they must have written consent from that government delivered to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Due to the influence of chemical industry lobbyists, the United States Congress has no regulations over the export of chemicals to developing nations.

Countries of the South Pacific have been very successful in enforcing strict environmental safeguards and have entered into regional environmental cooperation to combat creeping pollution.