Question

Choose 1 policy to control greenhouse gases at the local level, 1 policy at the state level, and 1 policy at the federal level that would complement one another to achieve greater greenhouse gas reductions than if any of the policies were enacted alone. Briefly describe each policy, type of policy tool, and fully justify why each government has the legal authority to enact this policy.

Answer 1

Dear Student,

Please find below answer to your question

Introduction

The vast majority of the world developing countries relies on energy sources or manufacturing techniques that release greenhouse gases at almost every stage of production, transportation, storage, delivery & disposal. More and more countries are engaged with manufacturing and de-forestation activities that lead to release of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. This intimate linkage between global warming and economic vitality implicates almost every aspect of a nation-state's economy

A) Combined point of Green House Gas policy at Local, State and Federal Level

1. Ensure guaranteeing a job with a family-sustaining wage, adequate family and medical leave, paid vacations, and retirement security to all people of the United States."
2. "Providing all people of the United States with – (i) high-quality health care; (ii) affordable, safe, and adequate housing; (iii) economic security; and (iv) access to clean water, clean air, healthy and affordable food, and nature."
3. "Providing resources, training, and high-quality education, including higher education, to all people of the United States."
4. "Meeting 100 percent of the power demand in the United States through clean, renewable, and zero-emission energy sources."
5. "Repairing and upgrading the infrastructure in the United States, including . . . by eliminating pollution and greenhouse gas emissions as much as technologically feasible."
6. "Building or upgrading to energy-efficient, distributed, and ‘smart’ power grids, and working to ensure affordable access to electricity."
7. "Upgrading all existing buildings in the United States and building new buildings to achieve maximal energy efficiency, water efficiency, safety, affordability, comfort, and durability, including through electrification."
8. "Overhauling transportation systems in the United States to eliminate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector as much as is technologically feasible, including through investment in – (i) zero-emission vehicle infrastructure and manufacturing; (ii) clean, affordable, and accessible public transportation; and (iii) high-speed rail."
9. "Spurring massive growth in clean manufacturing in the United States and removing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing and industry as much as is technologically feasible."
10. "Working collaboratively with farmers and ranchers in the United States to eliminate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector as much as is technologically feasible

11. In agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), dealing with greenhouse-gas-emissions mitigation, adaptation, and finance, signed in 2016

12. Each developed country must determine, plan, and regularly report on the contribution that it undertakes to mitigate global warming.

13. The Paris Agreement's long-term temperature goal is to keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels; and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 °C, recognizing that this would substantially reduce the risks and impacts of climate change.

14. This should be done by peaking emissions as soon as possible, in order to "achieve a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases" in the second half of the 21st century.

15. It also aims to increase the ability of parties to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, and make "finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development."

B) Government has the legal authority to enact this policy and Main Reason are as described below

It is very essential to Reducing EPA's Carbon Footprint: EPA is monitoring emissions from its own energy use and fuel consumption and working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2020.

Also it is not possible to private company to have Switching power plants, for example, from coal-burning to gas-burning can significantly reduce emissions. Equip fossil fuel plants with carbon capture and storage technology. Although it doesn't exactly reduce emissions, carbon capture technology does prevent emissions from reaching the atmosphere.

If you like the answer, Kindly subscribe and up vote

Thank You !!