Journal Entry
for
November 19th, 2001
Journal Entry
for
November 19th, 2001
Date: November 19, 2001
Science, Technology, and Society Topic: Are Environmental Regulations too Restrictive?
Science, Technology, and Society Topic Position:
Are Environmental Regulations too Restrictive?
No. Personally, after reading my text, I feel environmental regulations are not too protective. How can something be too protected and still be harmed? Obviously more can be done! I am not a "die-hard" environmentalist, but maybe that is more of what our environment needs. Maybe there should be more people who are, not only willing but fighting, for a healthier environment, more people who actually care.
"They want to preserve a way of life and a high-quality environment" (Easton, 2000). It seems people are just take take taking what they need, and they are not even worrying about the affects their actions have on the environment. There is still a common mind-set that the environment is here to cater to us, but, in reality, we are the ones who should be taking care of the environment.
The increase in oil prices, smog in big cities, and increased doctor bills are all indirect affects of human behavior, and all we do is complain about the things we can't do because of regulations. What about all the things we won't be able to do because the regulations are not tough enough? Pretty soon, if the actions we take now continue, things will be worse, and there will be the need for tougher regulations. Obviously, if there were enough regulations then things would be a lot healthier and cleaner in our environment, but they aren't.
So, what can we do to fight tougher regulations? Nothing. but, we can fight to prevent more from being passed by cooperating with our neighbors and cleaning up our acts, and our environment! The solution is simple-time consuming, but simple! Think about what you are throwing away, turn off the water when brushing your teeth, carpool, and take control of our own actions. Let's take control, before tougher control is taken!
Sources Pertaining to Environmental Regulations:
The following sources offer additional information on environmental regulations. Are the regulations too tough, or aren't they tough enough?
Science, Technology,
&
Society
| 1. "Environmental Policy Project" | This site offers background information on the Environmental Policy Project. From here, you are able to such things as "citizen standing," and environmental property issues. | http://www.envpoly.org/index.htm |
| 2. "Welcome to EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances" | Find out how to prevent pollution! This site offers links to various toxic waste prevention sites, explaining safer ways to use and distribute chemicals, pesticides, and technologies. | http://www.epa.gov/opptsfrs/home/opptsim.htm |
| 3. "Office of Children's Health Protection" | The following site contains information on various childhood diseases and illnesses, all do to the affects of pollution in our environment. Click here for more information on these illnesses, and how they can be prevented. | http://www.epa.gov/children/ |
| 4. "EPA: Community Based Approaches" | This site allows people to see the community approaches being taken to prevent pollution in our environment. Human needs and concerns are discussed, argued, and fought. Click here to find out how. | http://www.epa.gov/ecocommunity/ |
| 5. "EPA: Office of enforcement and Compliance Assurance" | The following site provides information about enforcement of environmental laws and regulations. They are making sure everybody has a safe, healthy environment to live in. | http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/complianceenforcement.html |
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