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 WOODROW WILSON ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE INSTITUTE 
RUTGERS  1998


Topic: Environmental Policy

Mentor: Dr. Bob Tucker, Rutgers University

Participants:  Randall Crump, Robert Oddo, Kenneth Purser, Miriam Woods

National Science Standards Addressed:  E (Science and Technology); F (Science in Social and Personal Perspectives); G (History and Nature of Science).

Many environmental issues have made the front pages of major American newspapers in the last ten years.  Policy pertaining to these issues is formulated as a result of pressure from many different groups representing a wide array of interests. This web page and its links examine how one would select an issue and attempt to influence the policy related to that issue. The steps listed are linked to pages that explain each step in more detail. A sample issue is provided.

  1. Identify and frame the question or issue that you would like to address.
  2. Identify those groups that will most likely support your viewpoint on the issue.
  3. Identify those groups that will most likely oppose your viewpoint on the issue.
  4. Research the issue and gather data.
  5. Organize a campaign to have an impact on how decisions are made concerning the issue

Step 1

Identify and Frame the Issue According to Your Views
 
Develop the framework so as to take in consideration the mindset of the potential allies/constituents. Examples might be framing an issue around safety concerns for family groups or CO2 emissions for environmental groups. Try to frame the issue to reach the broadest range of advocacy groups.

For our examples, we are using the emissions of light duty vehicles as our issue. Let’s define the issue further:

In terms of auto emission standards, why are light duty vehicles not under the same regulations and restrictions as smaller vehicles? What would it take to get light duty vehicles to comply with the same regulations and guideline so that we can have cleaner air and stop some of the sources of greenhouse gases that are contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming?


Step 2

Identify your Allies/Constituents 

Identify the groups and individuals who will be your support system. Seek out and align with those who are active or concerned with bettering the issue(s) as defined in Step 1.

For our example as defined in step 1, the following web sites can be considered allies, concerned  groups and constituents for the light duty vehicle emission issue:
 
EPA's Federal Light- Duty Exhaust Emission Standards  Vehicle Emission Research 
EPA's Motor Vehicle Emissions  Green Issues - Vehicles 
Study of Vehicle Emissions - the Clean Air Act Subsection  American Lung Association 
 

For any environmental issue, the following resource areas are valuable in getting information for potential support. These sites could also be valuable in reaching allies who will share knowledge about your particular issue (very critical for step 4):

General Environmental Interest  Seek out key words to your issue, i.e. pollution, vehicle emissions control, etc.

Environmental Protection Agency

State PIRG's  - TheStates Public Interest Research Groups   Sponsored by public research groups and can provide Congressional scorecards for environmental issues.

Northeast Research Associates Environmental activists and lists certain topics such as animal rights, global warming, hazardous wastes, ozone depletion, as well as many other issues.

League of Women Voters  Link further to Democracy Work, Watchful Action or League Action Line. Sublinks are Grassroots Action Needed Now or How To Make a Difference. Many states have their own web pages and you can send a message to Congress. The current year’s Legislative priorities are available.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Global Environmental Policy Research Tools

International Education and Resource Network   Enables young people to undertake projects designed to make a meaningful contribution to the health and welfare of the planet and its people.

Institute for Global Communications   Further link to econet and work on any subject area.

Under the search engine of Yahoo one can link to:

Some key organizations, interest and special interest groups that might be helpful when looking for support are the following:
 

National Wildlife Federation  Greenpeace 
NPR (Living on Earth)  Common Cause 
Sierra Club  Union of Concerned Scientists 
Audubon Society  Natural Resources Defense Council 
Nature Conservancy  Environmental Defense Fund 
Greenpeace  Your local newspapers, TV and radio stations
 
 

Step 3

Identify your Opposition
 
1. IDENTIFY THE SOCIAL FORCES (individuals, groups,and organizations) that oppose your viewpoint.

If you pay close attention to their arguments, you may readily identify the source of the bias of the individual or group. This can lead you to developing counter arguments to that group and its stand on the issue. Understand the level of the delivered rhetoric, but do not stoop to the level of rhetoric of your opponent.

Read these words from some people involved in debate over SUV's.

Gas guzzling SUV's THE REAL ANSWER  What are the hazards of being too emotional in your debate?

Read all presentations carefully. Be cautious of a "wolf in sheep's clothing." Some groups that may seem to stand with you actually stand for something equally troublesome.

The Anti-SUV Homepage  Is opposition to SUV's this groups main issue or does it have another agenda that is equally environmentally disquieting?
 

2. IDENTIFY THE ECONOMIC FORCES that oppose your viewpoint.

Most issues that provoke interest and concern finally come around to the question of money.  Simply put, you must ask the question, "Who will profit from the oppositions side of the issue?"  Look closely at any economic cycle you can identify associated with the issue.

It is not necessarily the case that a economically successful group, corporation or nation will be the operative following an unacceptable, risky or dangerous environmental course of action. It may be a poor nation or failing business that has to risk everything to move up a notch economically.

Examine the origin of goods and services connected with the issue.

3. IDENTIFY THE POLITICAL FORCES that oppose your viewpoint.

Political opposition may come your way in many disguised forms. It is not always the direct influence of an elected official that is driving political resistance to an issue,  but the more important and powerful resistance that comes from the special interests that influence the politicians. Remember that politics masquerades as science and science masquerades as nature. Political action groups and special interests will show you their best efforts to get what they want. Using statistics to make a point can be very powerful, but also very misleading. Take time to study the source of the numbers, how the data is presented and how the data is interpreted. Remember the famous line of Mark Twain, "there are lies, damned lies and statistics." Look for the "lie" in the statistics.

* DO NOT NEGLECT TO IDENTIFY THE INTERSECTION OF SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL FORCES that oppose your viewpoint.

The agenda is seldom a simple one. The faster you identify all the connections and the power of their influence, the more quickly and efficiently you can design your initiative.

Some key organizations, interest and special interest groups that might be helpful when looking for support are the following:

Step 4:

How to Research Environmental Policy 

After the issue has been framed  and  the different viewpoints identified, the facts must used to support the chosen frame perspective. It is probably optimal to use more than one type of resource. Scientific journal articles, web sites, government publications, newspapers, and non-profit environmental organizations are all good sources to find information. Make sure that the resources are credible. Many organizations have a bias or a slant on the issue. The work done in steps two and three will help distinguish neutral organizations.

1. Laws:

It is essential to refer  to relevant federal, state, or local laws . This will ensure that the aim of your initiative is focused and credible. Check out the following sites to find some common federal laws:
 
Right to Know Law Clean Water Act
Superfund Canadian International Environmental Policy
Clean Air Act Environmental Laws
Montreal Protocol Clean Air Standards

 
2. Facts:

There are many different sources that can provide the statistical or empirical data on many environmental issues or problems. Try to narrow the focus and offer only the facts that are relevant. Too much data will cloud the issue and confuse the constituent. Primary research, government organizations,  or educational organizations are usually credible resources.  The best place to find professional journals is still the libraries; however many journals are coming on-line. Most universities and governmtent agencies are on-line. Here are some good sites on the web to find the facts:
 
PIRG Agriculture Compliance
Air Quality Clean Ocean Action
Automobile Service Stations Compliance Toxic Release Inventory
Transportation Compliance National Resource Defense Council
 

3. Public Awareness

This source needs to be carefully analyzed. Articles are often framed by the writer's perspective or altered by the newspaper editors to address public opinion. Here are some on-line papers that may be a good source. Try to find out why the laws were created.
 
New York Times Atlanta Journal Constitution
Los Angeles Times Christian Science Monitor
Chicago Tribune Boston Globe
 
 

4. Example:

Light duty vehicles are currently operating under less stringent emissions regulation compared to cars. Due to current increase in popularity, the level of greenhouse gases is increasing.

(C) The term "heavy duty vehicle" means a truck, bus, or other vehicle manufactured primarily for use on the public streets, roads, and highways (not including any vehicle operated exclusively on a rail or rails) which has a gross vehicle weight (as determined under regulations promulgated by the Administrator) in excess of six thousand pounds. Such term includes any such vehicle which has special features enabling off-street or off-highway operation and use. 
	    Column A     Column B
LDT Test weight (5 yrs/50,000 mi) (11 yrs/120,000 mi)
NMHC CO NOx NMHC CO NOx PM
0-3,750 lbs. LVW 0.25 3.4 0.4* 0.31 4.2 0.6*
3,751-5,750 lbs. TW 0.32 4.4 0.7* 0.46 6.4 0.98 0.10
Over 5,750 lbs. TW 0.39 5.0 0.1* 0.56 7.3 1.53 0.12

Standards are expressed in grams per mile (GPM).

Newspaper: The New York Times has written several articles  concerning the impact of vehicle emissions. Click here to do a search for articles.

 

Step 5

How to Influence Environmental Policy

1. Political Action
Political action plays an important role in changing the minds of our elected officials.  Letters, petitions, e mail, faxes and call in days can make a difference on how our elected officials vote.

Check out the following links on how to write letters to your elected officials

To find out the address of your legislator click below.

To find out the voting record of your legislator and their environmental scorecard click the link below.

Working assets long distance allows individuals to call legislators and CEO's of major corporations when environmental issues become critical.  They will also send faxes to legislators and CEO's for a small fee.  To find out more about working assets long distance click the link below.

2. Class Presentations
Present information to your class relating to a particular environmental issue.  Raise awareness in your school.  Arrange to make presentations about the issue to the community library, and middle and elementary school classes.

3. School Wide Assemblies
Arrange to have speakers come in to your school to address a particular issue.  You can also arrange debates among individuals that have opposing points of view.

4. Tabling
Set up tables in high congestion areas such as the cafeteria and pass out pamphlets, gather petitions, signatures and /or letters.

Click below for more information.

5. Surveys
Design and distribute surveys to raise awareness of your particular issue.  Discuss the reason the survey is being distributed with the person taking it and be available for any questions the person might have. Click below for information on how to make a survey.

6. Construct a Web page and put it up on the World Wide Web
Research an issue and construct a web page that provides information about the issue with pertinent links.

7. Demonstrations and Protests
Organize students that have similar views and raise the awareness about an issue by having a protest. This may also get the attention of the press.

8. Postering
Put up posters that illustrate the need for action pertaining to an issue.  Be sure to include information on how a person can act to support an particular issue.

9.  Boycott Products
Arrange campaigns to boycott particular products as a result of certain policies to which they adhere.  Make sure the boycott is coordinated with activities such as postering, tabling and letter writing which are discussed above.

10. Fundraising
 Arrange some sort of event that will raise money for your cause.

11. Do a Service Project or Volunteer
Find organizations that support your issue or cause and volunteer to help them.  Arrange service projects that help make a difference.  Affirm your commitment to the issue.

Below you will find some additional links that will help you make a difference!!!!!

Step 1 Step 2 Step3 Step 4 Step 5
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