Question 1

What is environmental justice? What started the movement in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Environmental justice is a global movement that refers to the ethical issues at the intersection of race/class discrimination and environmental harm or reform. People who have been marginalized by discrimination or poverty are typically affected more severely than the rest of the population.
The movement in the United States can be traced to a North Carolina controversy in which an African American neighborhood became a dumping site for thousands of tons of toxic soil. People living there believed their community had been selected because it was mostly African American and poor. Protests began and eventually charges of "environmental racism" were made. The site was not decontaminated until 2004.

Question 2

The power of eminent domain requires the government to provide just compensation to a property owner when taking private property for public purposes. Discuss your thoughts on whether the following should be considered "public purposes."
a. The government taking private property to transfer to a private company for development of a strip mall.
b. The government taking private property to build a highway.
c. The government taking private property to expand an airport.

Accepted Answer

The power of eminent domain is a necessary tool for the government to acquire private property for public use, but it is important that this power is used responsibly and in accordance with the principles of just compensation and public purpose.

In the case of the government taking private property to transfer to a private company for development of a strip mall, this should not be considered a legitimate public purpose. While economic development can benefit the public, the transfer of private property to a private entity for commercial development does not align with the intended use of eminent domain for public benefit.

On the other hand, the government taking private property to build a highway or expand an airport are examples of legitimate public purposes. Highways and airports are essential public infrastructure that benefit the community as a whole by facilitating transportation and commerce. As long as the government provides just compensation to the property owners, these actions can be justified as serving the public interest.

In conclusion, it is important to carefully consider the public purpose and the impact on property owners when exercising the power of eminent domain. While some uses, such as building highways and expanding airports, clearly serve the public good, others, like transferring property to private companies for commercial development, may not meet the same standard. It is crucial for the government to uphold the principles of just compensation and prioritize public benefit when using eminent domain.

Question 3

A "green tax" uses government taxing power to benefit the environment.

Accepted Answer

A "green tax" is a tax imposed by the government on activities or products considered harmful to the environment, with the aim of encouraging individuals and businesses to reduce the impact of these activities or products on the environment. The revenues generated from these taxes are typically used to fund environmental initiatives, such as promoting clean technologies or implementing conservation programs.

Question 4

The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution explicitly protects private property owners' economic interests. Explain how this amendment affects owners of private property.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution explicitly...

Question 5

According to John Locke, the purpose of government is to institute restraints to protect property rights.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to John Locke, the purpose of...

Question 6

The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty to reduce greenhouse admissions, signed by over 200 countries including the United States.

Accepted Answer

The Kyoto Protocol is indeed an international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but the United States, although a signatory, never ratified the treaty.

Question 7

Under the ___________ plan, the EPA auctions a set number of sulfur dioxide emission allowances annually, with each allowance permitting one ton of emissions.

Accepted Answer

The description provided matches the definition of a tradeable permit system, where permits for a specific amount of emissions are auctioned off and can be bought and sold between companies. The other choices do not relate to this type of system.

Question 8

According to Carmen G. Gonzalez, people go hungry because:

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Carmen G. Gonzalez, people go...

Question 9

According to Alice Kaswan, environmental justice has had:

Accepted Answer

Environmental justice has had a modest impact on environmental law. While there have been some reforms and policies developed to address environmental inequalities and protect vulnerable populations, it has not fundamentally transformed the field of environmental law.

Question 10

When environmentalists recognized that politicians were not going to pass stricter legislation and regulations, they changed their tactics to force change. According to the Layzer article in the chapter, these new tactics included:
I. Portray the science of global warming as uncertain and debatable
II. Focus on the financial costs of regulation
III. Provide Senators and Representatives with financial incentives to vote against regulation
IV. Portray the environmentalists as extremists and a vocal minority.

Accepted Answer

Environmentalists shifted tactics to focus on the financial costs of regulation, provide financial incentives to politicians, and portray environmentalists as extremists to influence policy change.

Question 11

Explain how the tradeable permit plan works.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain how the tradeable permit plan works....

Question 12

Discuss the obligations of human beings to Mother Earth according to the universal declaration of rights of Mother Earth.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the obligations of human beings to...

Question 13

Which piece of legislation was passed first?

Accepted Answer

The Clean Air Act was passed in 1963, while the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act was passed in 1976, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act was passed in 1980.

Question 14

The power of the U.S. Government to take property from a private individual and use it for public purposes is:

Accepted Answer

The power of the U.S. Government to take property from a private individual and use it for public purposes is called eminent domain. This power is granted to the government under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which requires that just compensation be provided to the owner for the taken property. Due Process refers to the principle that the government must follow fair legal procedures when depriving a person of life, liberty, or property. Equal Protection guarantees that the laws of a state will treat all people equally. Suffrage refers to the right to vote in political elections.

Question 15

Explain the Crisis of Agrobiodiversity as explained by Carmen G. Gonzalez.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the Crisis of Agrobiodiversity as explained...

Question 16

According to MIT professor Layzer, the lobbyists for the energy corporations have used which of the following tactics to avoid stricter regulation?
I. Portray the science of global warming as uncertain and debatable
II. Focus on the financial costs of regulation
III. Provide Senators and Representatives with financial incentives to vote against regulation
IV. Portray the environmentalists as extremists and a vocal minority.

Accepted Answer

According to the article, lobbyists for energy corporations have used the tactics of portraying the science of global warming as uncertain and debatable, focusing on the financial costs of regulation, and portraying environmentalists as extremists and a vocal minority. There was no mention of providing Senators and Representatives with financial incentives to vote against regulation, so option III is incorrect. Thus, the best choice is D - I, II, and IV.

Quiz 6: Environmental Law and Justice: Responsibility and Survival