Pol/310 Week 1

This work POL 310 Week 4 Discussion Questions 2 Biodiversity, Extinction, and Making Choices in Policy contains answers on the following tasks: "Some people argue that since extinctions have always taken place, they should be considered a natural process and that the current extinction rates are not a matter of concern. Others point out that the preservation of biodiversity is essential to the continuation of life on Earth and that human actions have greatly accelerated the extinction rate. Should the policy process take into consideration all competing positions Business - General Business Environmental Values Policy . Identify an environmental amenity from the following list:

a. Clean air

b. Earth’s climate

c. Ocean health

d. Wilderness areas

e. Endangered species

f. Clean drinking water

g. Old growth forests

Look at Figure 1.1 in Chapter One of Environmental Policies . Identify the different values associated with that amenity. Then, identify a policy tension between the amenity that you choose and a threat to that amenity. For example, clean air is
Identify the different values associated with that amenity. Then, identify a policy tension between the amenity that you choose and a threat to that amenity. For example, clean air is threatened by economic interests that pollute the air (e.g., industries that do not use “green” technology when emitting pollution, automobiles, large-scale confined feeding animal operations, etc.); wilderness areas are threatened by gas and oil interests, pressures to build roads in roadless areas, etc. Also, discuss the ways that different worldviews (e.g., biocentricism, anthropocentrism) play into the controversy surrounding the issue. In your opinion, have lawmakers adequately protected the value of the environmental amenity? Why or why not? Which worldview is present in your response to part E of this