Identify and describe three principles that can be used to guide environmental policy makers as they craft guidelines that minimize environmental harm.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The reversibility principle: Try not to make a decision that cannot be undone if it turns out to be wrong. By avoiding irreparable harm to the environment, policy makers keep options open for mitigating harm in the future.The precautionary principle: When substantial evidence exists that an activity may be harmful to people and the environment, take sufficient precautionary measures to minimize or avert the harm. The principle recognizes our dependence on natural capital and aims to protect that capital from unnecessary harm.The prevention principle: Make decisions that prevent a problem from occurring or getting worse. Similar to the precautionary principle, this principle has the effect of protecting natural capital from preventable destruction.Answers will vary. Other principles include the humility principle, the net energy principle, the polluter-pays principle and the environmental justice principle.