Create Your Own Piece Of Legislation For This Assignment

Create Your Own Piece Of Legislationyour Job For This Assignment Will

Create your own piece of legislation. Your task is to draft a new law addressing a specific environmental concern you have been exploring in class. The law should be practical and well-supported with evidence, clearly explaining what it does, who it affects, when it comes into effect, who is responsible for oversight, why it is necessary, potential consequences for non-compliance, and how it will be funded. A background section of about half to one page should provide context on the environmental issue, including current laws and their effectiveness, supported by citable data.

Paper For Above instruction

The creation of effective legislation targeting environmental issues is vital for promoting sustainable development and safeguarding public health. For this assignment, I propose the "Urban Air Quality Improvement Act" (UAQIA), a law aimed at reducing air pollution in metropolitan areas by regulating emissions from vehicles and industrial sources. The background of this issue stems from increasing urban pollution levels, which have been linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and environmental degradation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), ambient air pollution causes an estimated seven million premature deaths annually worldwide (WHO, 2018). In the United States, data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that air pollution contributes to roughly 100,000 premature deaths each year (EPA, 2020). Existing laws, such as the Clean Air Act (CAA) of 1970, have improved air quality, but challenges remain, especially with rapidly urbanizing regions and increased vehicular emissions (EPA, 2020). Despite these regulations, urban air pollution levels often exceed recommended safety thresholds, indicating a need for more targeted legislation and enforcement.

The Urban Air Quality Improvement Act would mandate stricter emission standards for vehicles and industrial plants operating within urban zones. Specifically, it would require all new vehicles sold within the city limits to meet zero-emission standards by 2030 and enforce phased reductions of industrial pollutant outputs over ten years. The law would also promote investments in renewable energy sources and public transportation infrastructure to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. It affects residents, commuters, business owners, and local governments by requiring compliance with new standards and encouraging environmentally conscious practices. For example, car owners may need to transition to electric vehicles, and factories will need to adopt cleaner technologies.

Implementation of this law would begin within six months of passage, with a phased compliance schedule over five years for existing vehicles and industries. Oversight responsibilities would be assigned primarily to the EPA, which already oversees emissions standards, and the city's environmental agency, which will handle local enforcement and compliance monitoring. The EPA's broader expertise in air quality management, combined with the city agency's local authority, will ensure effective oversight and enforcement, especially in urban zones where pollution levels are critically high.

The importance of this law lies in addressing the persistent health and environmental impacts of urban air pollution. Studies show that cities with stricter emission controls experience improved air quality and reduced health-related costs (Kampa & Castanas, 2008). Currently, existing laws have made progress but fall short in urban settings, where pollution peaks frequently exceed safe limits (EPA, 2020). Failure to address these issues can lead to increased healthcare costs, loss of productivity, and long-term environmental damage. Enforcing fines, penalties, or even shutdowns for non-compliance will serve as deterrents, ensuring that emission standards are maintained (WHO, 2018).

Funding for this law will primarily come from a combination of sources: consumer fees on newly purchased electric vehicles, fines from non-compliant industries, and state and federal grants aimed at environmental improvement projects. Additionally, a small portion of the city's budget will be allocated towards developing infrastructure for clean transportation options. Revenues generated from fines and fees will sustain ongoing monitoring and enforcement efforts. The law's success depends on coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies, creating a comprehensive framework for accountable implementation and continual improvement.

References

• EPA. (2020). Air Quality Data and Trends. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/air-trends
• Kampa, M., & Castanas, E. (2008). Human Health Effects of Air Pollution. Environmental Pollution, 151(2), 362-367.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Ambient Air Pollution: A Global Assessment of Exposure and Burden of Disease. WHO Publications. https://www.who.int/airpollution/publications/2018/en/
• United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2020). Summary of the Clean Air Act. https://www.epa.gov/air-quality-management-process/overview-clean-air-act
• World Health Organization. (2016). Ambient Air Pollution: A Major Public Health Concern. WHO Fact Sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health
• Jacobson, M., & Greene, S. (2018). Zero-Emission Vehicle Adoption and Urban Air Quality. Journal of Environmental Management, 224, 589-601.
• Huang, Y., et al. (2019). Effectiveness of Emission Standards in Reducing Urban Pollution. Environmental Science & Policy, 94, 64-73.
• Schwela, D., et al. (2017). Strategies for Reducing Urban Air Pollution. Health & Environment Journal, 9(4), 210-219.
• Fowler, D., et al. (2015). Reduce and Control Strategies to Improve Air Quality in Cities. Science of the Total Environment, 506-507, 663-670.
• Martins, S. et al. (2020). Economic Impacts of Implementing Stricter Emission Standards. Environmental Economics, 11(2), 150-165.