Question

Assume that you are a national official with the power to set policy for controlling environmental mercury pollution (Core Case Study). Describe your policy in terms of goals and steps to take and explain how it will work to accomplish the goals. List three or more possible problems that could result from implementing your policy.

Answer 1

Answer:

The policy for controlling environmental mercury pollution should address ways to prevent and control this pollution.  Policy:

• Ban the incineration of waste
• Require that coal-burning companies remove mercury from the coal
• Allocate funds towards research and development for renewable energy resources in the hopes of switching away from coal.
• Require that products containing mercury be labeled as such.
• Set up programs that will recycle batteries and mercury-filled products.
• Set up education programs that will help inform people about mercury pollution.

This policy works by addressing the ways to prevent and control mercury pollution.

Three problems that could result from implementing this policy:

• Backlash from coal-burning companies.
• It could take a while before we completely shift away from using coal.
• Some of the programs that can be set up in this policy can be too expensive to set up and maintain.