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Show Hinckley Journal of Politics Autumn 1998 standards and follow the rules is to avoid fines or lose funding for other critical needs. Markets before mandates replaces compulsion with incentives. A market-based approach with incentives and rewards for meeting standards would result in more efficient and cost-effective results and may lead to quicker compliance. Science is an essential tool, but it can only go so far. Both sides in environmental battles can routinely produce scientists to lend credibility for a particular point of view. There comes a time in the process when difficult policy decisions have to be made. The costs and benefits of environmental policies and programs are best identified through a range of plausible options. A cost-benefit analysis should consider the biological, social, legal, economic and political factors associated with the policy. Prior to implementation of a particular option, it is important to identify a viable strategy for addressing the major costs. Working across political boundaries and within ecosystems is a more natural management adage. Environmental issues such as air and water quality, ecosystems and animals are not defined by political or agency boundaries, that is how they are managed. There is a need to consider natural borders in finding environmental solutions. Governments at all levels can develop mountains of policies, programs and procedures to protect the environment. But success ultimately depends on one thing: the choices of individual citizens. Beginning with the nation's youth, people need to understand their relationship with the Earth and their stewardship of sustaining and enhancing their surroundings for themselves and for future generations. A healthy environment is not just desirable, but is critical to the social and economic stability of the nation. Government has to educate people about this stewardship and foster it through recognition and reward, not more rigid restriction on activity. If we change a heart, we may change a nation. 97 |
