U.S. government agencies and environmental ethics in protection policy

Environmental Ethics & United States Government

Environmental Ethics and United States

[Type the document title]

Definition of Environment Ethics & Its Approaches

United States & Environmental Ethics

Role of United States Government

Environment Protection Agency

Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

National Park Service (NPS)

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Role of Civil Society in Environment Protection & Preservation

Environment protection and preservation has been a serious concern for countries all across the globe. But the government of United States government has been acting as a leader in this regard. It is the first government to introduce a separate department solely for the purpose of ensuring that the natural environment is well-protected and in case of any damage, necessary preservation methodologies are adopted. In order to support this objective, U.S. government has formed various agencies and other departments over time with the sole purpose of protecting all the elements of natural environment.

However, it is important to note that where there two distinct approaches available to be followed in terms of environmental ethics i.e. anthropocentric and non-anthropocentric approaches, U.S. government has shown its advocacy for a middle way instead of following one approach as one emphasizes on intrinsic values whereas the other focuses on rights of the nature and its inhabitants. Steps taken by U.S. government have shown that it considers protection of ecological balance of the nature as important as human rights. It has introduced various legislations and acts with reference to climate change, emergencies, green living, fuel economy, oil pollution, radiation protection, health and safety, land and water cleanup, pesticides, chemical and toxics, waste management, water protection and recycling, wild life protection, agriculture management etc.

United States government has also supported civil society to play it role in this regard. The presence of relevant legislations and dedicated authorities for environment protection and other policies encouraging participation from NGOs and other citizens, are also making substantial contribution for the achievement of this objective.

Introduction

Environmental ethics is one of the major concerns of many nations across the globe. With the advancement in society' structure, technology and business processes, governments along with other social elements are paying considerable attention to this area. Where many countries are introducing concrete measures in order to play their role in environment protection, United States is no different. In fact, United States' government is a pioneer in acknowledging the importance of environment protection since it was the first one to introduce a formal government body solely for this purpose. United States government is playing an effective role in introducing reforms and taking measures meant for environment protection and restoration whereas other organizations such as business enterprises, non-profit organizations, communities and religious bodies are also taking part for the fulfillment of similar cause.

Role of United States Government

United States government has undertaken the responsibility of environment protection and preservation and for this purpose; it has established a network of agencies which are provided with the roles of protecting different elements of the environment. Some of the most eminent agencies are Environment Protection Agency, National Parks Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Department of Agriculture. The government of United States has been highly active in introducing measures meant for protection of human rights (Bill of Rights, Minorities Act etc.), but it has not neglected the other aspects of the society and nature.

These agencies are solely responsible for the protection of the longevity of natural resources, wild life and the related species thriving in the ecological systems governed by these agencies. Although it will be noted that United States government has paid more attention towards the elements which are of intrinsic value i.e. land, water, food, animals. However, it is also important to note that these measures are not solely motive driven and are meant for the welfare of the society at the end.

Environment Protection Agency

In 1970, United States government dedicated a complete federal department named as Environment Protection Agency, for the purpose of environmental safety which was a pioneering step of its kind. The sole purpose of this department is to provide guidelines to the general public, federal departments, business enterprises and other units of the society with reference to environment protection and restoration. These guidelines are related to human health, air-related issues, climate change, emergencies, green living, fuel economy, oil pollution, radiation protection, health and safety, land and clean up, pesticides, chemical and toxics, waste management, water protection and recycling. This broad range of issues cover human rights protection related to environment, animal protection, general layout of corporate social responsibility of business enterprises, drugs and food management etc. It is important to note that along with providing guidance regarding environment protection, EPA also has complete authority to take measures which are necessary for reinforcing these standard procedures and processes intended for environment protection.

Although EPA is not a federal department but an agency its administrator is appointed by the president with the status equivalent to cabinet rank. With headquarters in Washington D.C., the agency has its operations extended all over United States with the help of an extensive workforce comprising of 17000 employees having specialized skills and knowledge, scattered in ten regions, working with 27 laboratories. EPA is responsible for introducing and enforcing national standards operating under environmental laws, state acts, and local legislation. The agency has a wide ranging of authority extending from grating sanction, imposing penalties and issuing restraining orders. The agency also works with industries and all levels of government in a wide variety of voluntary pollution prevention programs and energy conservation efforts.

Where many questions have been raised on the performance and effectiveness of this agency, its role in environment ethics enforcement cannot be denied. Ignoring the political influence, EPA has been introducing reforms which have been effective in at least setting up minimum standards for the well-being of human health, animal and plants protection along with ecological balance. It has introduced and enforced various acts under Congress's supervision which have been functional in protecting and restoring natural resources. Examples of some of the reforms introduced by EPA are Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfield Revitalization Act, Nuclear Waste Repository Act, Food Quality Protection Act, Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996, Toxic Substances Control Act, Endangered Species Act and other programs including Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative, fuel economy, global warming etc.

The given set of policies and acts indicate that EPA covers wide range of environment protection issues and its operations are well-supported by its skilled human resources and other research facilities. The mission of EPA is clear and concise i.e. To protect human health and the environment (EPA, 2012).

Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Another important agency responsible for environment protection is BLM. It is the mission of the Bureau of Land Management to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Prior to 1946, the Department of Interior controlled their 253 million acres of public land under the discretion of the General Land Office, which was created in 1812, and the U.S. Grazing Service, which was established in 1934 (BLM, 2010). However, after the formation of BLM, the pressing issues of water management, freshwater life management, sea life management and the access of public to the state-owned landscapes. The idea behind formation of this organization is to protect and preserve the American lands and included public property. This agency operates in the light of Omnibus Public Land Management Act, the Federal Land and Policy Management Act, and the Mineral Leasing Act and Amendments. The governing body of this agency is Minerals Management Service which is an extension of Department of Interior where MMA itself, is responsible for disaster management.

National Park Service (NPS)

Another agency run by U.S. government with the motive of environment protection and restoration is National Parks Service. The mission of the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) is to conserve the scenery, the natural and historic objects, and the wildlife in United States' national parks, and to provide for the public's enjoyment of these features in a manner that will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. This agency was created in 1916 and its jurisdiction spreads over 400 national parks. NPS operates under the guidelines of National Park Service Organic Act. According to this Act, NPS is responsible for operating and protecting the prolonged existence of the parks in United States and also make them useful for educational and other purposes. This agency in turn, reports to EPA, Department of Agriculture and Department of Interior. The reporting heads of this organization are Director of the national Park Service and also the Secretary of Interior (NPS, 2012).

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The purpose of this department is to keep supervision on the quality and quantity of food production and also the manufacture of by-products as well. Nearly 150 years later, the "leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management" remains the mission of the USDA as it navigates the ever-growing agricultural landscape of the United States (USDA, 2012). USDA is not just an authority which is responsible for regulating the food manufacturing processes. It is responsible to ensure that the food produce has the necessary nutrients and the manufacturing processes used tend not to have any side- effects which may hamper a unit of ecological system. Therefore, food protection, farms safety, management of health standards serves as the prime goals of this department.

It is also a responsibility of this department to ensure that contemporary farming techniques are used by the farmers and they are well-assisted by necessary products such as pesticides etc. To ensure that no food wastage takes place and the food manufacturing process is expedient and efficient. The responsibility is performed with the help of doctrines offered by conservation policy. This department runs with the mission of providing leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.

Role of Civil Society in Environment Protection & Preservation

Civil society has been acting as a watchdog for American governance related to environment protection. Michael Bratton describes civil society as social interaction between the household and the state characterized by community cooperation, structures of voluntary association, and networks of public communication (Bratton, 1994).

There are numerous NGOs working for the protection of wild-life, sea life, deep ecology, endangered species, outcomes of green-house effect and emergencies. The role of these NGOs is more substantial than the government as government act as the regulatory authority which has limited span of access to the problematic areas. On the other hand, NGOs operate at grass root level which allows them to get in touch with the problem directly. Since they also have power to influence and reach general public, therefore the effectiveness of the measures introduced by them, although in the light of government directives, have greater potential of making a difference.

The legal system of U.S. federal government performs enforcement of environmental laws in three ways. First, governmental agencies have police power to enforce regulations against those who violate laws and regulations. Second, citizens or NGOs that have constitutional standing to sue play a major role in forcing the government to abide by its own rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).Finally, under certain environmental statutes, citizens are granted the power to enforce environmental laws directly, acting in effect as private attorneys general by suing third-parties such as individuals and companies who violate the law (Daggett, 2002).

In the present system of United States, these NGOs have substantial influence for enforcement of environmental laws. These bodies operate as law makers, watchdogs, whistleblowers and attorney generals (Dagget, 2002). Currently, about 10,000 NGOs are operating in United States for the environment protection and longevity whereas some of them have extensions across the borders as well. Other than the NGOs, the common citizens of United States also share the same paradigm which is introduced by the United States government. After acknowledgment of environment ethics by the U.S. government in 1970s, the ratio of whistle blowing by the citizens for animal rights, endangered species, and unethical manufacturing processes hampering environment balance has increased greatly.

However, it is important to note that this transformation has taken place due to initiatives taken by the United States government. In the absence of necessary laws and law enforcing agencies, the idea of environmental ethics would not have evolved as it is right now. Secondly, without the introduction of the concept related to importance of environmental ethics, the general public would not have shown its sponsorship for environment protection measures. Even NGOs operate within the jurisdiction provided to them by law enforcing agencies. Like states earlier, NGOs act as a legal ambassador of the government when it comes to environmental laws enforcement. Therefore, without this extension of power to the civil society, the NGOs would have faced considerable difficulty in enforcing and introducing environment protection measures.

Conclusion

United States government has been a pioneer in making environmental ethics part of actual legislations prevailing in U.S. If we ignore the impact of political conditions and contingencies, it is evident that the United States government is an advocate of environment protection and restoration. This paradigm has been rooted into political ideology of this country. It was the formation of departments like BML and USAD in 18th century which has laid down the foundation of environmental ethics in the basic philosophy followed by U.S. government. Where countries all across the world have been struggling to introduce reforms for the protection of natural assets, ecological balance and wild life, U.S. government has moved one step forward and has dedicated a whole agency named as Environment Protection Agency, employing 17000 resources for this purpose. In addition to that, there are various other bodies like BML, USDA and NPS dedicated with the broader vision of environmental protection but with focused authority, purpose and guidelines.

In addition to these legal bodies, United States government has also encouraged civil society to play its respective role in protecting and restoring environment. There are many NGOs operating in United States which are also working for the similar cause as EPA, USDA, NPS etc. The powers shared by U.S. government with these private organizations reflect that U.S. government tends to play the role of a sponsor for public awareness and actual measures taken for the purpose of addressing environmental threats. In addition to that, the presence of relevant legislation has further encouraged, citizens of United States to blow whistle whenever the observe anything happening which possess any threat to the environment and its related elements. It is evident that U.S. government is aware of the importance of environment protection and preservation, and is also taking necessary steps for achieving this objective.