Environmental Issues

Reading journal entries
Entry Number 1
DATE (of Journal Entry) 01.01.2010, Entry No 1
TITLE Gramlich, R. E (2006) The role of energy regulation in addressing generation market power, Environmental and energy Law and Policy journal.

ISSUE
 The monopoly of generator supplier exists at some time which disrupts smooth supplier demand cycle in the energy market resulting in unreasonable rates..

SUMMARY
This article discusses the power mitigation of generation suppliers in the energy markets at one time. The author tries to find a solution to the dominant supply position of generators faced by the energy markets as the effect of anti trust law and the commodity regulation are negligible on the generation suppliers.

The author discusses the role of Federal Energy Regulation Commission in resolving this monopoly of power generators in the energy market to promote healthy competition among generator suppliers and maintain market rates.

REFLECTION
The author has pointed out a fact of energy market that is overlooked generally. The dominant position attained by the generator supplier in the energy market at one time is due to the structural features of the energy market and is inevitable. Hence means should be employed by FERC for maintaining just rates and overthrowing the monopoly of a single power generator supplier.

Entry Number 2
DATE (of Journal Entry) 07.01.2010, Entry No 2
TITLE Flatt V. B., (2006) What is the best formula to protect the environment in electricity restructuring Comment on the environmental impact of electricity restructuring by Karen Palmer and Dallas Burtraw, Environmental and energy Law and Policy journal.

ISSUE
The author analyses the environmental impact of electricity restructuring by Karen Palmer and Dallas Burtraw.

SUMMARY
The author comments on The environmental impact of electricity restructuring looking back and looking forward by Karen Palmer and Dallas Burtraw trying to validate their research performed on the data concerning the impact of energy deregulation and restructuring on the environmental health. The author gives credit to the researchers for doing a commendable job but still shows concern for the works authenticity as he thinks that determining the effect on environmental health by energy deregulation and restructuring is a complex job.

The author performs his analysis in two portions, one regarding the data collection and analysis documented in the study and in second portion he tries to evaluate the inter relationship that exist between energy and environment.

REFLECTION
The author provided a detailed commentary on the analysis performed by the researchers and performs an in depth analysis to link energy restructuring and deregulation and its effect on environmental health. He stresses on avoiding any energy activity that may harm the environment and says that environment healthy schemes for manipulating energy should be adopted.

Entry Number 3
DATE (of Journal Entry) 14.01.2010, Entry No 3
TITLE Moss D. L. (2006) Electricity and market power current issues for restructuring market, Environmental and energy Law and Policy journal.

ISSUE
Moss surveys the literature in last fifteen years to understand current trends in the market power.

SUMMARY
Moss makes an in depth survey into the current trends in the electricity and market power and also discusses the effect of restructuring that is taking place in the power markets. The roles of anti trust and policy makers and the impact of new policies that are creating problems for the energy market have been explored in detail by Moss in order to identify the factors that have complicated the market power over the last decade.

Moss points out the flaws in the antitrust and regulators approach to restructuring and emphasises on their lack of policy making tools that are hindering the smooth restructuring process.

REFLECTION
This is an informative article as it not only combines a survey of literature over the last fifteen years but also analyses the effects of restructuring in the power market. She makes an efficient analysis of market trends and incapability of the antitrust and regulators to fight the challenges of restructuring with limited set of policy tools.

Entry Number 4
DATE (of Journal Entry) 26.01.2010, Entry No 4
TITLE Farber D. A., (2007) Adapting to climate change who should pay, journal of land use Vol. 231.

ISSUE
Farber raises the issue that who should pay the costs of climatic changes.

SUMMARY
Farber discusses the facts regarding the climate change that is now upon us and the main focus of her article is that who should pay for the cost of climatic impact. She emphasis on the responsibility of government and legal authorities to address this issue and make amends for the damage already done to the climatic conditions due to pollution and traffic hazards.

REFLECTION
On reflection, I find Farbers article very informative and awakening in the nature that until recently no significant notice was being given to the climatic changes experienced due to pollution and other contaminations that pollute our natural resources. The need arises to address such issues like adaptation Vs mitigation and bring to light the problems caused by technological changes on nature. These issues need to be addressed by our legal authorities to have laws that protect the natural resources.

Entry Number 5
DATE (of Journal Entry) 05.02.2010, Entry No 5
TITLE Lee, R. J (2007) Recent developments the changing tides of land use and environmental law, Journal of land use Vol 231.

ISSUE
Lee illustrates the use of land and environmental laws by discussing a number of related cases.

SUMMARY
Lee researches the recent developments in land use and environmental laws by analysing a few related cases and studying the decision of court and the effect of environmental laws. She explains that the presence of laws dont usually guarantee an improvement in situation regarding land use.

Lee uses a different way of communicating facts through the evidence by exploring a number of cases fought in 2007 against the government on the issue of land use and the outcomes of the cases to conclude the use of environmental laws in the land usage.

REFLECTION
Lees approach is non refutable as she presents a number of cases that show a stand of land use against environment laws and she proves her point  that changing trends in land use do not abide by environment laws and having laws does not guarantee the effective use of land. A need is present to constantly review and revise these laws for better implementation and observance.

Entry Number 6
DATE (of Journal Entry) 15.02.2010, Entry No 6
TITLE Warner, D. M. (2007) Use of subjective well being in local economic and land use policy, Journal of Land use Vol 232.

ISSUE
Economic growth requires extensive land use whereas conservation of natural resource requires minimal land use.

SUMMARY
Warner encompasses in this article a debate of economic growth which requires land to be utilized for peoples benefit and conservation of natural resources that require the saving of land. Warner emphasizes that economic growth is at the expense of violation of environmental laws that are restrictive in the use of lands.

He breaks his study into four portions to address the issue in four aspects concluded after a thorough study that a balance needs to be maintained between economic growth and use of land.

REFLECTION
Warner has performed a detailed and in depth analysis and presented it in the form of debate. His approach is very detailed and language is simple which makes it easy to understand the problems related to maintain the balance between economic growth and the use of land.

Entry Number 7
DATE (of Journal Entry) 22.02.2010, Entry No 7
TITLE Neuman, J (2008) chop woods, carry water cutting to the heart of worlds water woes , Journal of land use vol232.

ISSUE
Neuman discusses the lack of sufficient water in many countries of the world while other countries waste water.

SUMMARY
Neuman discusses the water problems faced by many countries of the world that are solvable and are present due to lack of interest of other countries that do not have similar problems. She goes over the facts and figures of many countries highlighting the problems faced by these countries due to lack of water and stresses the authorities to address the issue and find solutions.

REFLECTION
Neumans article on water problems faced by many countries and redundancy of water supply in other countries shed a light on the unfairness of resource distribution across the globe that still exist due to neglect and non interest attitude of the authorities. Such issues must be addressed at the global level and means should be employed to make a fairer distribution possible so that many countries that are devoid of basic needs of life like fresh and clean water may also enjoy these necessities.

Entry Number 8
DATE (of Journal Entry) 03.03.2010, Entry No 8
TITLE Martinez, L.H., (2005) Post industrial human activity and climate change why the United States must implement mandatory limits on industrial green house gas emissions, Journal of Land use Vol 202.

ISSUE
Recognition of the harmful impact on climate change by emission of industrial green house gases and need for mandatory laws governing this issue.

SUMMARY
Martinez makes a study regarding the natural gas emissions in the climate that are useful for atmosphere against the industrial emission of green house gases that are harmful for the climate change and emphasis on the need of mandatory rules governing this issue so that further damage can be prevented and climate change due to these harmful emissions must be slowed.

REFLECTION
In order to promote the economic growth, industries have opened in great numbers to keep up with the cycle of demand and supply but now the disastrous effects of  green house gas emissions from these industries are becoming apparent which are having an alarming effect on the climate change. Reading this article strengthens the belief that immediate and timely efforts are required to limit these emissions so that climate change can be controlled before further damage can take place.

Entry Number 9
DATE (of Journal Entry) 11.03.2010, Entry No 9
TITLE Melville D., (2005) Whisky is for drinking Recent water law development in Florida, Journal of Land use Vol 202.

ISSUE
This article discusses the ongoing debate about the water sources in Florida.

SUMMARY
Melville focuses on the water related debate going on for Florida in which he explains that the government wants to privatize a number of sources including the water resource allocation while the others from environmental community argue that it should remain a public resource as it has been until now.

Many reports came forward in this regard to maintain the water policy as a natural resource and not to be used for growth interests. A compromise can be reached by making appropriate policies for control of water and even distribution.

REFLECTION
The article on the water problem going on in Florida and the tussle between the government bodies that want to privatise this resource for economic growth and environmental bodies that oppose this decision highlights the facts and figures related to this debate and works for a compromise in the situation. The laws and policies that are offered are covered in great detail making the situation clear to understand.

Entry Number 10
DATE (of Journal Entry) 18.03.2010, Entry No 10
TITLE Johnson, T. (2010) Global Uranium Supply and demand, article from Council on Foreign relations.

ISSUE
Recovering Uranium from mines unexplored to meet the demand and supply cycle.

SUMMARY
In this article Johnson provides an overview of the Uranium demand in the markets and the need to recover the Uranium deposits that are distributed in mines across the world.
He discusses the counties that have the greatest reserves of Uranium and estimates the cost required to recover this reserve of Uranium that would fulfil seventy years of the worlds Uranium requirements according to the authors study.

REFLECTION
Uranium is valuable and has many applications in the markets worldwide. This article provides useful information regarding the Uranium reserves and discusses the cost of recovering this Uranium reserve. These facts and figures are helpful in making decisions regarding Uranium exploits can be beneficial for the reader in long term study. However the author does not elaborate on the problems faced during these Uranium exploits and how they can be managed.

Entry Number 11
DATE (of Journal Entry) 26.03.2010, Entry No 11
TITLE Giovinazzo, C. T., (2006) Defending overstatement The symbolic clean air act and Carbon dioxide , article from Harvard Environmental Law review Vol 30.

ISSUE
Giovinazzo emphasizes the importance of the CAA (Clean Air Act).

SUMMARY
Giovinazzo highlights the importance of the CAA (Clean Air Act) which is often put down by implementers arguing that this act is unattainable due to its symbolic nature however Giovinazzo emphases that the use of this act is essential in controlling the content of rising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which is leading to universal problems like the black hole.
The author argues that congress has added symbolic mandates to this act that not only makes it hard to neglect but plays an essential role when developing a framework for carbon dioxide control.

REFLECTION
This article gives an insight into the worthiness of CAA (Clean Air Act) which is disregarded due to its symbolic nature. The author is clearly in favour of the act and thinks it is quite useful in controlling the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Realizing the importance of clean and healthy environment one cannot reject the authors case especially in presence of the evidence he presents in the article.

Entry Number 12
DATE (of Journal Entry) 04.04.2010, Entry No 12
TITLE Nolon, J. R. (2006) Champions of change Reinventing democray through land law reform, article from Harvard Environmental Law review Vol 30.

ISSUE
Nolon discusses the importance of Land laws formulation across the levels of government.

SUMMARY
Nolon in his article highlights the problems faced by local government in managing land use. The problems faced by the local governments are not acknowledged by the state and federal levels of government therefore creating a gap in the laws that come into form and the laws are needed to address land related problems.

Nolon suggests co ordination between all levels of government to bring the identified problems within a framework and then resolved through new and revised policies.

REFLECTION
Nolon has identified a very important issue regarding lack of communication between the grass root level workers and people in the state and federal offices which are the law makers. Close co ordination among these levels of government shall result in policies that would solve the land use problems.

Entry Number 13
DATE (of Journal Entry) 15.04.2010, Entry No 13
TITLE Krakoff S., (2003) Mountains without hand rails .Wilderness without cell phones, article from Harvard Environmental Law review Vol 27.

ISSUE
Krakoff discusses changing of natural wilderness in the light of Professor Joseph Saxs book Mountains without handrails.

SUMMARY
Krakoff enlightens the reader in her article on the changing trends of recreating in natural environment which is being modernized by changing the wilderness to incorporate new technologies and comforts in the natural environment. According to the author this approach at recreation has robbed the nature of its peace and serenity and the experience of nature has been clouded by the use of technology.

REFLECTION
After reading her article I agree with the author that incorporating technology and comfort in natural environment like having luxurious resorts in the middle of forests to provide people with comfort robs the essence of nature which is associated with the feelings of hardships and exercise. Recreations related with wilderness like hiking and exploration dont go together with comforts like hotels and different services. It clouds the experience of nature.

Entry Number 14
DATE (of Journal Entry) 22.04.2010, Entry No 14
TITLE Laitos J. G., Gamble R. B., (2008) The problem with wilderness, article from Harvard Environmental Law review Vol 30.

ISSUE
The authors discuss the different demands for wilderness and problems associated with these demands.

SUMMARY
According to the authors, land was used for economic growth but recently land use has become more varied with the land categorizing as natural resource and the need to preserve wilderness and transforming wilderness to recreational areas and wilderness parks have changed the scenario. As a result many conflicts have resulted with economist fighting to make the land productive and environmental commodities fighting to preserve land and use for recreation. These issues are addressed in detail in this article.

REFLECTION
Land is for building homes and industries it is also for preservation and recreation. A balance needs to be maintained among the use of land for different purposes. The laws that are present for land use help in solving this conflict and must be respected by all to prevent misuse and provide better future for our generations to come.

Entry Number 15
DATE (of Journal Entry) 29.04.2010, Entry No 15
TITLE Auslander J.M., (2006) Reversing the flow The inter connectivity of environmental law in addressing the external threats to protected land and waters, article from Harvard Environmental Law review Vol 30.

ISSUE
Auslander discusses the external threats to lands and waters protected by environmental laws.

SUMMARY
Auslander brings to attention the external threats faced by lands and waters that are the property of federal government and are set aside for recreational projects like parks and wilderness or are for preservation of nature. These lands if found to be enriched with minerals or other valuable resources become prone to external threats. Auslander uses a case study to high light these threats and shows ways to improve on environmental laws for better protection of these high threat prone lands.

REFLECTION
Wilderness and land for recreational purposes is an asset for the country and have to be protected by environmental laws, but findings of minerals and other resources put these lands to threats from external sources. No compromise should be made on the perseverance of these lands and federal government should not get threatened to let go of these natural resources.

Reflection
After weeks of reading and maintaining a reading journal and analysis of these articles related to natural resources policy and management, I find myself quite in command on the subject of protecting natural resources from harm and am reflecting on the articles and listening to news and view of people regarding these issues. I have also developed a keen interest in my class and participate actively and understand the matters going on around the world regarding natural resources and find myself sharing my views in the class.

This study has helped me gain insight about the conditions of natural resources prevailing in the world and what threats and problems are faced by environmentalist in protecting these assets from destruction. I have also gained a detailed knowledge of the different laws and policies present for the protection of these natural resources and by reading these articles I find myself better capable of making evaluations regarding the applicability of these policies and making insightful suggestion and recommendations for the betterment of the laws and policies governing the use of these natural resources.

One such recommendation is that the government bodies should keep in mind the conditions prevailing across the whole world regarding a certain natural resource and not the conditions in their specific region or area. This would give a global perspective to the law makers rather than a local perspective and would enable them to understand the problems faced all over the world regarding the use of the natural resource and they would be able to identify better ways for preserving it. Another consideration to be made in formulating laws and policies related to natural resources are that proper investigation should be made before structuring the law so that the law once formulated should have provision for application in all areas regarding a natural resource and not limit to only any one specific area. Prior to formulation an exhaustive approach should be used to analyse all possible situations that may arise during the implementation phase to encounter minimal problems after the law is formulated. This would help the lawmakers in evaluating the application of the law in all scenarios.

After maintaining the reading journal, I have also gained an awareness regarding the importance of protecting the natural resources of the world and the harmful impacts of human induced conditions like traffic pollution and green house gas emission through industries on the environment and climate change and on these natural resources.

The need has arisen for each person to join hands against these negative factors that are not only destroying the natural resources of the world, but also pose a threat to the humanity itself. A positive change can only be brought by identifying the factors that contribute to pollution and destruction of natural resources and try to diminish them by following the rules and regulations formulated by the individual governments and the whole world collectively. The laws regarding land use, water use, energy consumption and clean air must be respected and followed by individuals and organizations to make an effort at preserving our natural resources.