Assignment 7 - Part 2

3-4 paragraph analysis of how sustainability was addressed at the level that it was (i.e. state level or regional level or local government level or neighborhood level)

The cited news article talks about how China is investing heavily in green auto technologies. With the increasing debate on global climate change and how this phenomenon is impacting our way of life, many countries are taking a proactive approach to regulate industries in response to lowering their carbon footprint and improve sustainability. With the recent Copenhagen summit on global climate change ending in a less than favorable outcome, it is interesting to see China, which is currently the largest non-cumulative emitter of greenhouse gases, take to the frontlines in reinventing itself as an environmentally conscious country.

Sustainability in the case of the article referenced, is being addressed on a state/national level, with benefits and changes trickling down to regional and local governments where Chinese auto manufacturers operate. The article goes on to state, “Big auto groups backed by government money, such as SAIC, are likely to emerge as winners, industry analysts say, while leading private-sector players, like Warren Buffet-backed BYD, will also be a front runner as it pushes into foreign markets.” It is evident that there is a great incentive for local car manufacturers to increase research in hybrid and electric vehicles.

Since this is a new move by the Chinese government, the success of this sustainability planning is not yet known. However, I believe that the Chinese government, with its abundant economic resources may be in a good position to make this initiative a success. The article also states, “Almost all the major Chinese manufacturers have on-going development programs. Some may be more politically motivated but clearly some are very serious pursuits that are backed by large investments and substantial research teams." Regardless of the motives of the Chinese manufacturers as quoted above, it is evident that almost all of them are on board in increasing the number of hybrid and electric vehicle production.

Another way sustainability is being addressed in a national and regional level is in regards to the price of hybrid/electric cars. China is planning to develop low cost electric vehicles which will be easily acceptable to the Chinese and may even gain success in other countries as well. Currently, “A made-in-China Prius costs as much as $41,000, nearly matching the price tag of much bigger gasoline-powered Camry, making it a turn-off for Chinese buyers, who still have a penchant for big cars.” With the demand for lowering the cost of electric vehicles evident, I believe that the Chinese initiative may eventually be successful. At the very least, I hope this will help increase government funding in other countries.

3-4 paragraph analysis of how the sustainability issue could have been resolved at a different level.

I believe that it would have been beneficial for the Chinese government to address this issue (in addition to the national level) at other levels simultaneously, such as, working with regional and local governments to fund a network of electric vehicle charging stations, working with car manufacturers to make their manufacturing plants more sustainable, increasing use of recycled materials in hybrid and electric cars, and working with local governments to improve car recycling programs.

Although the aforementioned issues I mentioned above may eventually occur over the course of the sustainability initiative by the Chinese government, the article does highlight one of my concerns, “The southern boom town of Shenzhen, where BYD rolled out its plug-in hybrid, F3DM, late last year, has just three charging stations.” It is evident that merely investing in hybrid/electric vehicle production may not improve sustainability in the Chinese auto industry. It needs to be backed by utility companies that can provide energy to charging stations, all of which require the cooperation of regional, local, state, and national governments.

Some of the problems that can occur with implementing a sustainability policy at all levels would be coordinating and planning development activities. Additionally, problems can occur if foreign car manufacturers have incompatible chargers. The article states, “"You can't charge the Leaf at the facilities as the charger just won't fit in. We'll have to have our own facilities when we sell Leaf in Shenzhen," said Tsunehiko Nakagawa, vice president of Nissan China Investment.” I believe that more effort should also be placed on standardizing chargers so that customers are not inconvenienced when it comes to being able to charge their vehicles.

Although, from the current initiative the environmental quality is poised to improve, I believe that addressing some of the issues I have discussed, environmental quality can be improved even further. As mentioned before, by coordinating other related initiatives such as recycling, increasing charging stations, etc. policy makers in essence, would be able to create an infrastructure that is able to sustain the energy needs of hybrid and electric vehicles. This would provide consumers with a greater incentive to charger their cars rather than visit the local gasoline station.

Reference:

LaMonica, Martin. April 21, 2010. “China investing heavily in green auto tech.”
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20003049-54.html

Week 12

Week 12: April 5-11
Topic: Tools for Sustainability Planning

Tasks:
- Readings: Chapters 5-8 in Wheeler
- Post two weekly comments for participation

Assignment #6 - Frameworks for Environmental Policy

Part 1: Values Framework

According to Cohen “Ideas about our relationship to the ecological environment derive from our concept of property and a definition of nature as a resource to be used for human material well-being.” In the spirit of Cohen’s “Values” framework, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, recognizes the importance of using nature as a resource for human well-being. The goal of the S.1733 bill is to “create clean energy jobs, promote energy independence, reduce global warming pollution, and transition to a clean energy economy.”

The aforementioned goals are aligned with Cohen’s values framework of using nature as a resource for human well-being. By ensuring that we protect nature and the resources that we need to exist, we will come full circle in maintaining a healthy relationship with the environment and ensuring our survival and future. The issue at the core of the S.1733 bill stems from behaviors of our lifestyle that have resulted in substantial increases in greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change.

The problem resulted due to a tradeoff between ecological well-being and human well-being wherein the ecology was being decimated by human activities. The proposed solution requires some modification to the values and perceptions of individuals on issues concerning contamination of the environment and use of natural resources, however, progress can still be made as we adapt to global climate change.

Part 2: Political Framework

According to Cohen, “The environmental issue has made significant demands on our political processes and institutions. Americans have called for political processes that develop a consensus about the definition of environmental quality and make decisions about methods for achieving environmental goals. In the past thirty years this political process has facilitated a high degree of social learning in the United States.”

The green energy bill S.1733 involves the participation of businesses and political leaders. Additional stakeholders involve consumers who would purchase green energy technologies and working in green energy jobs thereby furthering research and development and future adoption of sustainable technologies.

The political victory and loss in this arena will be defined by workable policies that allow for growth and easy adoption. Although something of this magnitude has not been done in the past, policy makers will have to ensure that they are able to balance availability, adoption, and affordability on a continual basis. This will help offset the use of more cost-effective substitutes that are currently increasing greenhouse gas emissions and help make renewable energy technologies cost-effective in the long run.

Part 3: Science and Technology Framework

“Can science and technology solve environmental problems as quickly as they can create them? Do we have the science in place to truly understand the causes and effects of this environmental problem? Does the technology exist to solve the environmental problem or mitigate its impacts?”

The S.1733 bill covers the same seven greenhouse gases that were identified in the House bill: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydroflurocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride. The contributors to greenhouse gas emissions have been identified and although it is debatable if we have the science in place to truly understand the causes and effects of the environmental problem, I believe that we nonetheless have the ability to adapt to it.

I believe that we have the technologies to both mitigate and solve the environmental problems. This bill marks an effort to put into effect the processes necessary to make the changes a reality. Since the technologies contributing to global climate change are tightly integrated with our economic and social development, it would be virtually impossible to halt them in order to address the problem. The bill in fact allows for a means to develop green energy technologies along with current technologies and gradually reducing the former with the latter. This would result in smaller adaptive approaches in the short run marked by a more rapid shift to renewable technologies in the long run.

Part 4: Policy Design Framework

“Economic forces are a major influence on the development of environmental problems and the shape of environmental policy.”

The bill S.1733 includes measures aimed at reducing the costs of compliance and minimizing allowance price volatility. Like the House bill, it provides for a two-year rolling compliance period, unlimited banking of unused allowances, and limiting borrowing. Furthermore, the policy provides support for deployment of carbon capture and storage technology through a ten-year program funded through wire charges, bonus allowances for early deployment projects, and allowance value designated through 2050 for further deployment.

The bill incorporates strategic thinking in its design allowing for stakeholder compromises and considerations needed to ensure effective implementation. The bill marks a substantial progress toward a solution to global climate change solutions and also marks an effort to advance the use of renewable technologies across the business and commercial product realms.

Part 5: Management Framework

“Which administrative and organizational arrangements have proven most effective at protecting the environment? Do we have the organizational capacity in place to solve the environmental problem?”

The bill directs the submission of a report to Congress every four years that includes an analysis of the latest science relevant to climate change, an analysis of capacity to monitor and verify greenhouse gas reductions, an analysis of worldwide and domestic progress in reducing global warming pollution, and additional measures that can be taken.

This is one of the examples that incorporate administrative and managerial processes that need to be in place to ensure continuous monitoring of R&D in renewable technologies and their potential for advancing the limits of our knowledge in solving the environmental problems we face today and in the future. These procedures require continuous testing to ensure they are effectively integrated with science and technology. Furthermore, the success of these processes requires cooperation between all stakeholders associated with policy making, businesses, and the science community.

Week 11

Week 11: March 29 - April 4
Topic: Defining Sustainability

Tasks:
1. Readings
- Chapters 1-4 in Wheeler
- Week 11 Articles on Blackboard under "Course Documents"

2. Post two weekly comments for participation

3. Assignment #6
- Posted Online: March 29 under "Assignments" on Blackboard
- Due Date: Sunday, April 11 (Midnight MST)

Assignment #5 - part 3

Final Paper Bill Information

The bill that I have chosen to write on is S.1733 – Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. The sponsor for this bill is John Kerry and its purpose is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a nation-wide cap-and-trade program. Furthermore, it seeks to create energy jobs, promote energy independence, reduce global warming pollution, and help facilitate a transition to a clean energy economy.

The following are three provisions that the bill promotes:

1. Transition us away from dirty fossil fuels of the past and toward the clean energy of the future: The Clean Energy Jobs & American Power Act leaves key Clean Air Act provisions intact, thus maintaining existing mechanisms to regulate dirty coal technology. These provisions are crucial for ending the construction of new dirty coal plants that use outdated technology and ensuring that the oldest, dirtiest coal plants reduce their global warming pollution.

2. Take serious steps to cut global warming pollution as soon as possible: Cut carbon pollution from fossil fuels at least 20% by 2020: Scientists say we must do much more. Targets for cutting carbon from fossil fuels in Kerry-Boxer are 3% stronger than the House bill, but rollbacks in regulation of methane and other greenhouse gasses make the bill only 1% stronger on net.

3. Create millions of clean energy jobs by investing in a clean energy future: The current Senate bill includes many key job-creating and job-training programs necessary to jumpstart America's transition to a clean energy economy. We encourage senators to increase investment in programs that will create new jobs by investing in a clean energy future rather than investing in dirty coal plants and oil companies who have been reaping record profits for years. This includes bolstering support for a global climate deal by investing in climate adaptation, avoided deforestation, and exporting clean energy technology.

Assignment #5 - Part 2

Part 2

1. I believe that developing countries have the right to exploit forests (and other natural resources) as Europe and U.S. did to increase their economic well-being. Considering the importance of global climate change, I also acknowledge that there is a growing need to countries to adapt and use technologies that lessen our impact on the environment. Developing countries do not have the financial resources to undertake such kinds of research and development.

I believe that if rich countries are willing to share renewable energy technologies with developing countries then it would be in the developing countries best interest and moral and ethical duty to stop exploiting forests. I believe that given a choice developing countries would not choose to exploit forests and other natural resources, they do so out of need.

2. Countries such as China and India are now on the forefront of the environmental debate concerning the level of emissions from the two countries. As these two countries are undergoing a rapid development stage the amount of pollution in both countries continues to increase. “China’s rapid development, often touted as an economic miracle, has become an environmental disaster. Record growth necessarily requires the gargantuan consumption of resources, but in China energy use has been especially unclean and inefficient, with dire consequences for the country’s air, land, and water.” (Vig, pp 309)
The expectation that developing countries must engage in equal participation as developed countries in climate change issues is unfair in my opinion. “Developing countries point to Europe’s destruction of its forests during the industrial revolution and the widespread cutting in the United States in the nineteenth century. Why then should developing countries be held to a different standard than the developed one?” (Vig, pp 297)

Economic development entails the reduction of poverty and the ability of a nation to increase per capita income and improve the livelihood of the people. It would be unfair for industrialized countries to expect developing nations to place more emphasis on reducing emissions especially when industrialized nations are largely responsible for the current global climate problems.

Additionally, since industrialized countries have the financial capability to conduct research into sustainable practices and renewable technologies, developing countries should expect developed nations to share such technologies. In my opinion, some sort or mutually agreed upon technology transfer system would be helpful in ensuring renewable energy technologies are being put to good use.

Week 10

Week 10: March 22-28
Topic: Frameworks for Environmental Policy

Tasks:
- Readings: Chapters 1-8 in Cohen
- Post two weekly comments for participation