Question

4. It is argued that environmental policy should be imposed at the federal level. Otherwise, states will relax their laws and enforcement in an attempt to attract businesses and jobs (they call them pollution havens). Is there evidence for or against state regulations? Does the same idea apply on a global scale: between countries or varying from country to country?

Answer 1

The fight between the state and the federal governments continues to exist over several issues, especially over the issues related to authority of legislation and implementation of different laws. The 10th amendment of US constitution gives more power to the state governments to prevent the federal government from gaining extreme domination over the states.

In US, all the powers, which are not specifically alloted to the federal government belong to the state. In this kind of situations if the federal government proposes a new law, it annoys the state governments. They show their displeasure over that. Federal government should not intervene in all the issues, it should not violate the rights of the state governments. However, in case of the environmental legislation, the authority to make laws must be in the hands of federal governments only. Because many environmental issues pass over other states. For example, pollution from the state of California may travel to neighboring states and may cause negative externalities over there, water ways run in different states. If one state flounders on strict laws, other states will be adversely affected.
Another reason is that there is possibility of very influential Individuals or group of individuals influencing the environmental legislation and make them in such a way that they help in achieving their selfish goals and objectives like expanding their business for maximizing profits, without any concern over the environment.
There is a possibility of the state government making laws for their benefit, without thinking of the environmental problems associated with it. For example, Colorado and Idaho created their own laws for laying roads in forests, which contradicted the Clinton's "Roadless Rule" which restricts laying roads in national forests in the Westeren part of US. Many conservationists raised their voice over this issue and they urged the federal government to take necessary steps to protect the treasure of forests.
Allowing environmental legislation to states will harm the nature and planet. So the authority to make laws on environment must be with the federal government.
Same idea applies on a global scale upto some extent. Because there are some standard laws, made by international bodies for all the countries for protecting our planet, like restrictions on carbon emissions. International bodies can only guide the countries and give suggestions regarding environmental protection, but it's is very very difficult to ensure that each country strictly follows the laws. However ensuring all the states follow the laws is much easier. Each country must realize how important to protect our evironment and move forward.