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For government policies to work, they will need to be possible to bring to force politically. They need to target key players and decision-makers who can shift behavior and have the necessary impacts on environmental issues. They need to encourage behavioral change through regulation, monitoring, and enforcement. They need to provide education and information through various avenues.
The following table summarizes government capabilities needed to meet environmental challenges.
| Government Action | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Taxes and fees | Discourage substances and actions that can harm humans and the environment |
| Subsidies and grants | Encourage efforts beneficial to the environment |
| Facilitation | Facilitate collaboration between stakeholder groups |
| Policies on population control | Pass and enforce policies that limit childbirth |
| Energy policies | Implement and enforce policies to reduce energy consumption in industry as well as homes |
| Government energy use | Reduce energy consumption in government facilities |
| Green politics | Improve energy sources and promote green politics |
Private businesses can improve their agricultural practices for longevity, productivity, equity, and health. They can also decrease their energy consumption and improve their energy sources.
There are some companies that market themselves as green companies but do not actually follow sustainable or green principles. When companies do this, it is called greenwashing.
EXAMPLE
Monsanto, a large genetic engineering seed company, has been accused of greenwashing. However, there are strong viewpoints both supporting and negating such accusations.Individuals can also take action by encouraging and practicing social norms and attitudes which support sustainable lifestyles. This could have widespread impacts in behavior change over time.
The original campaign to reduce, reuse, and recycle was such an effort. It improved people's awareness about managing their waste and protecting the environment through better waste disposal.
The following table summarizes a variety of tools that individuals can use to address environmental issues.
| Actions for Individuals | Description |
|---|---|
| Population control | Family size can also be determined by individuals. Decisions to have fewer children can reduce human population growth. |
| Environmental literacy | People can become more environmentally literate and conscious by educating themselves on important topics and issues, both in their communities and abroad. As technology improves, it is becoming easier to be environmentally literate about global issues, which might have an impact on the lives of individuals. |
| Green Products | People can also choose to purchase greener products, such as organic foods, and use services from companies that adopt sustainable practices. People can also choose to build homes that are more ecologically friendly. |
| Collective Action | People can take collective action by joining or supporting nonprofit environmental organizations. |
EXAMPLE
The restaurant chain Chipotle focuses on creating food from organic and ethically acquired ingredients.
Source: THIS TUTORIAL WAS AUTHORED BY JENSEN MORGAN FOR SOPHIA LEARNING. PLEASE SEE OUR TERMS OF USE.
