Protecting Our Environment: Lessons from the European Union

by Hunter, Janet R.

• ISBN13: 9780791465127
• ISBN10: 0791465128
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-06-01
• Publisher: STATE UNIV OF NEW YORK PRESS

Summary

Significant changes in how the world approaches global environmental problems have occurred since the late 1970s. Countries have become increasingly aware of the "borderless" nature of environmental issues, i.e., that production and consumption in one country can spill over to affect another country's environment. Protecting Our Environment considers the successes that have been achieved in the European Union (EU), as well as issues the Union still faces regarding the protection of the environment in the future. Authors Janet R. Hunter and Zachary A. Smith identify the factors that have allowed the EU to form a successful environmental regime, including the development of the environmental management approach and the principles upon which it is based. They examine in detail the challenges that have been encountered in the implementation of environmental programs, and the solutions that have been developed to address those challenges. Also considered is how economic development and environmental protection have been reconciled within the EU. By analyzing the successful example of the EU, Protecting Our Environment provides a model for a contemporary approach to global environmental problems.

Author Biography

Janet R. Hunter is Chair of Administrative Information Services at Northland Pioneer College Zachary A. Smith is Regents Professor of Political Science at Northern Arizona University

Table of Contents

Illustrations	vii
Introduction	1	(26)
Importance of the Study of the Environment for Humans	1	(2)
Overview of Europe	3	(9)
What/Who Is Europe	12	(1)
Introduction to Regime Theory	13	(7)
The Process of Regime Formation	20	(4)
Improving the Effectiveness of International Environmental Regimes	24	(1)
Applicability of Regime Theory to Environmental Problems	24	(2)
Conclusion	26	(1)
The Organizational Structure of the European Union	27	(30)
Introduction	27	(1)
History of Integration of the European Nations	27	(1)
Treaties and Acts Amending the Founding Treaties	28	(4)
Governing Structure of the European Union	32	(17)
The European Environment Agency	49	(3)
The Role of the Public in EU Policy Making	52	(3)
Conclusion	55	(2)
The European Environment	57	(14)
Introduction	57	(1)
History of Environmental Policy Development	58	(4)
Environmental Action Programs in the European Union	62	(8)
Summary	70	(1)
Successes and Challenges in European Union Environmental Policy	71	(22)
Introduction	71	(1)
Case Studies	72	(15)
Implementation of Environmental Regulations	87	(3)
Monitoring Effectiveness	90	(1)
Summary	91	(2)
A Comparative Evaluation of the European Union and the United States	93	(28)
Introduction	93	(1)
The United States Environment	93	(6)
Global Warming	99	(5)
Environmental Liability	104	(6)
Hazardous Waste	110	(1)
Solid Waste	111	(2)
Soil Erosion	113	(1)
Water Pollution	114	(2)
Land-Use Planning	116	(1)
Conclusion	117	(4)
Conclusions	121	(6)
Introduction	121	(1)
Factors Leading to Environmental Policy Success in the European Union	121	(1)
Application to International Environmental Regimes	122	(4)
Conclusion	126	(1)
Appendix 1: Articles 249-256 of the Treaty on European Union: Provisions Governing the Institutions	127	(6)
Appendix 2: Articles 174-176 of the Treaty on European Union: Environment	133	(3)
Appendix 3: The Sixth Community Environment Action Program	136	(31)
Notes	167	(22)
Index	189