Environmental protection

This thesis empirically examined pollution control success in the United States during the period 1987 to 1992. The purpose of this analysis was to determine whether pollution control success can be predicted by a set of factors suggested by the economics literature as being important to effective control of pollution. Multiple regression analyses were performed on dependent variables representing air, water, and solid waste quality. It was found that although the predictors of pollution control success differ across the three types of pollution, variables representing pollution abatement expenditures and strength of enforcement were important throughout.

This study assesses the philosophical underpinnings of endangered species protections focused on gopher tortoises in Florida. From 1993-2007, gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) were listed in Florida as a species of special concern. Land developers wanting to build on their habitats could apply for an incidental take permit, paying a fee that allowed tortoises to be 'entombed' in their burrows to die a slow death. In 2007, when gopher tortoise status was up-losted to 'threatened', a new policy ended the incidental take permit program. This study compares policy guidelines of the 1991 and 2007 gopher tortoise management plans and explores cases that deal with incidental take controversies. I will apply perspectives from environmental philosophy to my analysis to understand how policies attempt to balance economic goals with a mandate to protect species in peril.