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All 20 Flashcards — Domestic Environmental Regulation
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Question
What is command-and-control regulation?
Answer
Environmental regulation that sets specific legal limits or standards (e.g., emission limits) that must be followed, enforced through penalties for non-compliance.
💡 Hint
Command = tell them what to do. Control = punish if they don't.
Question
What is the polluter pays principle?
Answer
The principle that those who produce pollution should bear the costs of managing it to prevent damage to human health or the environment.
💡 Hint
You pollute, you pay
Question
Name three strengths of command-and-control regulation.
Answer
1) Clear standards industries must follow. 2) Legal penalties create accountability. 3) EIAs prevent harmful projects before they start.
💡 Hint
Clear, accountable, preventive
Question
Compare command-and-control vs market-based instruments in one sentence each.
Answer
Command-and-control: sets legal limits with penalties (stick approach). Market-based: uses economic incentives to encourage green behaviour (carrot approach).
💡 Hint
Stick vs carrot
Question
What is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)?
Answer
A legal requirement to evaluate the potential environmental effects of a proposed project before it can proceed. It identifies risks and recommends mitigation measures.
💡 Hint
EIA = check BEFORE you build
Question
What three things does effective enforcement require?
Answer
1) Adequate funding for monitoring agencies. 2) Political will to prosecute violators. 3) Transparency through public reporting and accountability.
💡 Hint
Funding, will, transparency
Question
Name five ways environmental laws are enforced.
Answer
1) Fines and penalties. 2) Permits and licences. 3) Inspections by government agencies. 4) Public reporting requirements. 5) Criminal prosecution for severe violations.
💡 Hint
F-P-I-R-C
Question
Name three limitations of command-and-control regulation.
Answer
1) Costly to enforce. 2) May stifle economic development. 3) Loopholes can be exploited. Also: different standards across jurisdictions create confusion.
💡 Hint
Cost, growth, loopholes
Question
What is the key principle behind modern environmental regulation?
Answer
The polluter pays principle — those who produce pollution should bear the costs of managing it, so environmental costs are not passed on to society.
💡 Hint
Internalise the externality
Question
Name four barriers to effective environmental enforcement.
Answer
1) Lack of funding for monitoring agencies. 2) Political interference and industry lobbying. 3) Corruption. 4) Difficulty monitoring remote areas. Also: penalties too low.
💡 Hint
Money, politics, corruption, remoteness
Question
What four things should you consider when evaluating an environmental policy?
Answer
1) Who benefits? 2) Who loses? 3) Short-term vs long-term effects. 4) Does it address the root cause of the problem?
💡 Hint
Benefits, losses, time, root cause
Question
What are market-based instruments in environmental policy?
Answer
Economic tools like taxes, subsidies, or cap-and-trade systems that create financial incentives for environmentally friendly behaviour, rather than imposing direct legal limits.
💡 Hint
Use money to motivate, not laws to force
Question
Name two landmark US environmental laws.
Answer
Clean Air Act (1970) — regulates air pollutant emissions. Clean Water Act (1972) — protects surface water quality. Also: Endangered Species Act (1973).
💡 Hint
Air 1970, Water 1972, Species 1973
Question
What role does the EPA play in environmental governance?
Answer
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the USA monitors compliance with environmental laws, issues permits, conducts inspections, and enforces penalties for violations.
💡 Hint
EPA = America's environmental watchdog
Question
Give one example each of command-and-control and market-based regulation.
Answer
Command-and-control: emission limits under the Clean Air Act. Market-based: the EU Emissions Trading System (cap-and-trade for carbon).
💡 Hint
Legal limit vs carbon market
Question
How did the Clean Air Act demonstrate effective regulation?
Answer
Since its passage in 1970, the Clean Air Act has reduced common air pollutants in the USA by approximately 70%, while the economy continued to grow — showing regulation and development can coexist.
💡 Hint
70% pollutant reduction + economic growth
Question
In an exam, how should you evaluate a domestic environmental policy?
Answer
Consider: who benefits, who loses, short-term vs long-term effects, whether it addresses root causes, and include specific named examples with data if possible.
💡 Hint
Benefits, losses, timeframe, root cause, examples
Question
Why might market-based instruments be preferred over command-and-control?
Answer
They offer flexibility — companies can choose the cheapest way to reduce pollution. They also incentivise going beyond minimum standards, and generate revenue for green investment.
💡 Hint
Flexibility + incentive + revenue
Question
How does citizen science support environmental enforcement?
Answer
Community members collect data on pollution, species counts, or water quality, increasing monitoring coverage and helping detect violations that government agencies might miss.
💡 Hint
Eyes and ears of the community
Question
What is the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)?
Answer
A cap-and-trade system launched in 2005 that sets a total limit on carbon emissions from participating industries and allows companies to buy and sell emission permits.
💡 Hint
EU ETS = cap + trade for carbon
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Environmental Law
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