Question 1

Opinion surveys indicate that most Americans have little interest in environmental problems.

Accepted Answer

Numerous opinion surveys and polls have consistently shown that a significant portion of Americans are concerned about environmental issues, including climate change, pollution, and conservation efforts.

Question 2

Both Liberals and Conservatives would rely upon some type of cost-benefit calculation to determine the practical limits to antipollution expenditures.

Accepted Answer

Both Liberals and Conservatives believe in the practical limits of antipollution expenditures and would rely upon some type of cost-benefit calculation to determine them.

Question 3

Radicals hold that in cost-benefit analyses of pollution cleanups, there is an inherent tendency to underestimate the resulting social benefits.

Accepted Answer

Radicals argue that the social benefits of pollution cleanup are undervalued in cost-benefit analyses.

Question 4

Air pollution is an example of an external economy.

Accepted Answer

Air pollution is an example of an external cost or negative externality, not an external economy, because it imposes costs on others that are not reflected in the market transactions of the polluting activity.

Question 5

The EPA may set permissible emission levels for all industrial sites.

Accepted Answer

The EPA has the authority to set emission standards and limits for various industries under the Clean Air Act.

Question 6

Conservatives maintain that rigorous enforcement actions by the Environmental Protection Agency during the 1970s and 1980s actually reduced national economic output.

Accepted Answer

Conservatives believe that the strict environmental regulations imposed by the EPA during the 1970s and 1980s had an adverse effect on the economy, leading to reduced national economic output.

Question 7

There is no evidence that enforcing pollution standards on American industry has had any effect on lowering damage from pollution.

Accepted Answer

Multiple studies have shown that enforcing pollution standards on American industry has led to a significant reduction in air and water pollution, resulting in improved public health and environmental outcomes.

Question 8

One technique for balancing costs and benefits of antipollution efforts is to simply let the damaged parties initiate a lawsuit against those that harmed them.

Accepted Answer

This approach is known as the "polluter pays" principle and is often used in environmental law. It places responsibility and financial liability for damage caused by pollution on those who generate it. This can create an incentive for companies to reduce their pollution levels and mitigate their environmental impact.

Question 9

Liberals argue that George W. Bush's Administration has really stepped up funding for the Environmental Protection Agency compared to 1999.

Accepted Answer

According to data from the Environmental Protection Agency, funding for the agency under George W. Bush's Administration decreased in real terms from 2002 to 2008.

Question 10

The United States is the world's strongest advocate for adoption of the Kyoto Treaty.

Accepted Answer

The United States is not a signatory of the Kyoto Treaty and has historically been opposed to it.

Quiz 3: Dealing With Externalities: How Can We Save the Environment