Making Environmental Laws Work
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Overview
Considering the political context in which environmental laws emerge, this book explores ways in which ideas from America could be used to improve the effectiveness of environmental laws in Europe. Making environmental laws effective demands more than passage through the legislature and executive approval. Successful implementation of these laws requires wide public support and consistent enforcement. Environmental policies must adapt to the ways that technologies and industries are continually progressing. Britain has traditionally used criminal law sanctions to enforce its environmental laws. America uses the criminal process more selectively but makes much more effective use of civil and administrative enforcement. America is currently developing highly operative approaches to pollution prevention. This book also considers the political context in which environmental laws emerge and the implications for long-term public support of them. The book examines the ways in which the lawmaking processes in Britain and Europe effectively exclude public participation and offers suggestions for ways to change these processes. Furthermore, it considers the tension between science - the foundation for much environmental policy - and public opinion. The author recently spent a year's Harkness Fellowship in America, where he forged the views set forth in this book.Synopsis
The book considers the political context in which environmental laws are made. It examines for instance how law-making processes in Britain and Europe exclude public participation, and the implications of regulation for high-technology industries.
Booknews
A lawyer with the English Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions suggests ways in which American ideas could improve environmental laws in the UK and Europe. Desirable US imports include greater public participation, and use of civil and administrative rather than criminal law enforcement. Cover and title page subtitles differ. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)