Protecting Our Environment: Lessons from the European Union(SUNY series in Global Environmental Policy)

Examines how the European Union has handled environmental protection issues. Significant changes in how the world approaches global environmental problems have occurred since the late 1970s. Countries have become increasingly aware of the "borderless" nature of environmental issues, i.e., that production and consumption in one country can spill over to affect another country's environment. Protecting Our Environment considers the successes that have been achieved in the European Union (EU), as well as issues the Union still faces regarding the protection of the environment in the future. Authors Janet R. Hunter and Zachary A. Smith identify the factors that have allowed the EU to form a successful environmental regime, including the development of the environmental management approach and the principles upon which it is based. They examine in detail the challenges that have been encountered in the implementation of environmental programs, and the solutions that have been developed to address those challenges. Also considered is how economic development and environmental protection have been reconciled within the EU. By analyzing the successful example of the EU, Protecting Our Environment provides a model for a contemporary approach to global environmental problems.

Table of Contents:
Illustrations Appendixes 1. Introduction Importance of the Study of the Environment for Humans Overview of Europe What/Who Is Europe Introduction to Regime Theory The Process of Regime Formation Improving the Effectiveness of International Environmental Regimes Applicability of Regime Theory to Environmental Problems Conclusion 2. The Organizational Structure of the European Union Introduction History of Integration of the European Nations Treaties and Acts Amending the Founding Treaties Governing Structure of the European Union The European Environment Agency The Role of the Public in EU Policy Making Conclusion 3. The European Environment Introduction History of Environmental Policy Development Environmental Action Programmes in the European Union Summary 4. Successes and Challenges in European Union Environmental Policy Introduction Case Studies Implementation of Environmental Regulations Monitoring Effectiveness Summary 5. A Comparative Evaluation of the European Union and the United States Introduction The United States Environment Global Warming Environmental Liability Hazardous Waste Solid Waste Soil Erosion Water Pollution Land-Use Planning Conclusion 6. Conclusions Introduction Factors Leading to Environmental Policy Success in the European Union Application to International Environmental Regimes Conclusion Appendix 1: Articles 249--256 of the Treaty on European Union Appendix 2: Articles 174--176 of the Treaty on European Union Appendix 3: The Sixth Community Environment Action Program Notes Index

About the Author :
Janet R. Hunter is Chair of Administrative Information Services at Northland Pioneer College. Zachary A. Smith is Regents Professor of Political Science at Northern Arizona University. He is the author or editor of many books, including The Environmental Policy Paradox, Fourth Edition.

Review :
"Attention to the EU environmental treatment is becoming a particularly important example of regional cooperation toward sustainability, and this book adds nicely to the discussion."