Environmental Policy: An Overview
When we talk about environmental protection, conservation, and efforts to combat climate change, we often focus on big frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals or the Green New Deal. There’s also a lot of discussion around individual or organizational approaches, like reducing your carbon footprint or a company’s commitment to eliminating waste or achieving net-zero emissions.
What we hear about less often are the actual laws and regulations that put environmental policy into practice. These laws and regulations are the results of commitments to international frameworks and to goals set by national and local governments. The reason we hear less about them is that they’re more difficult to track and understand. They’re also less media-friendly than a UN initiative or a groundbreaking new study.
That said, the guidance provided by intergovernmental organizations and researchers needs to be translated into tools that have a practical, day-to-day impact. That’s what makes environmental laws and regulations so important to balancing the needs of people with those of other species and the planet.
Staying up-to-date on current laws and proposed changes is no small task even for committed activists. The resources below can help you get started and connect you to organizations that do the work of researching and publicizing this information so we can all take action to create positive change.
How to Find Current Environmental Laws and Track Proposed Changes
The hierarchy of laws in the United States.
To find current environmental laws, policies, regulations, and executive orders, you’ll need to look at three levels of government: local (e.g. your city and county), state, and federal. It’s also worth noting that there’s a hierarchy of laws that affects the legality and durability of environmental policy. Regulations are at the lowest level because they represent the interpretation and implementation of laws. Next are laws at both the state and federal level. At the top of the pyramid is the Constitution. Both laws and regulations cannot contradict the Constitution. Likewise, local laws cannot conflict with laws at a higher level in the hierarchy.
Federal Environmental Laws and Regulations
The primary source for existing federal environmental policy is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is in charge of implementing most federal environmental laws.
You can also find summaries of major environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and National Environmental Policy Act at FindLaw and from the Congressional Research Service (PDF).
To track and give input on proposed changes and new rules, visit the EPA or the Federal Register, where you can browse by agency and/or topic.
State Environmental Laws and Regulations
State laws and regulations are a bit harder to track because there are essentially 50+ state-level versions of the EPA. The EPA maintains a list of links to all state and territory health and environmental agencies. Once you get to your state or territory’s site, you might have to do a bit of digging to find laws and regulations and how you can provide input on proposed changes.
Regional advocacy groups and local chapters of national organizations (like the Sierra Club) can also be a great source for this information. Following them on social media or signing up for their mailing lists will help keep you in the loop.
Local Environmental Laws and Regulations
The most difficult laws and regulations to keep up with are at the local level. Counties, cities, and towns all have their own agencies and methods of informing and working with the public. A good place to start is your city or county’s website.
Tracking proposed changes in your town can also be challenging. Keeping an eye on the agenda for upcoming town/city council meetings is often the best way to stay informed. Much like changes at the state level, local advocacy groups can be a great source of information. If you belong to a large national or regional organization, check to see if they have a local chapter or if there are members in your area who are already sharing information on social media or via a mailing list.
Trump Administration Rollbacks of Environmental Laws
Per the New York Times, the Trump administration is currently attempting to reverse nearly 100 environmental regulations. They’ve had some success, though many other rule changes are tied up in the courts. This is a good time to mention that the courts play a significant role in determining whether federal agencies have the authority to implement or remove regulations under existing laws, the Constitution, and the Administrative Procedure Act. The courts also determine if an agency’s decision is within the purview of that agency’s rights as delegated by Congress.
Even if Joe Biden wins the election in November and we have a more environmentally-friendly administration, it could take years to reverse the Trump administration's rollbacks.
Other Sources of Information
To find more in-depth information about environmental policy, laws, and regulations, look at NGOs, advocacy groups, and public interest news organizations. In many places, there are also local organizations working to track and influence actions at the state, county, and city levels.
How to Advocate for Environmental Policies
If you’re committed to strengthening existing regulations and passing new laws to protect the environment, there are a few ways to influence the process.
Contact your elected officials. This is a direct way to exert influence and ensure that environmental issues stay on the agenda. You can call, email, or visit your elected officials as an individual, or partner with organizations that host lobbying days and coordinate campaigns to ensure that elected officials recognize how important environmental issues are to their constituents.
Comment on proposed changes. Each time a federal, state, or local agency wants to make a change to environmental policy, there are certain steps they have to take, including collecting feedback from the public. You can comment on proposed changes on the agency’s website, you can write a letter to the editor or an op-ed, and you can often submit written statements or give virtual or in-person testimony. Again, there are many organizations that can provide you with guidance and help you to get involved.
Volunteer. There’s nothing quite like getting involved directly with an organization that’s working to protect the environment. Volunteering can take many forms with varying levels of commitment. No matter what you choose to do, you’ll show that there are people who care enough to donate their time and expertise to help secure a future that values people and the planet.