Abstract
This paper discusses the debate concerning Canada's participation in the Kyoto Protocol. The paper describes the strategy of the Kyoto Protocol and why it is necessary for the environment. It then examines the arguments for and against Canada's involvement in the strategy and it analyses the benefits and the drawbacks that pertain to the issue. The paper maintains that, ultimately, the Kyoto Protocol contains many problems that are severely limiting its potential effectiveness. The paper concludes that, overall, there is a lack of cooperation between countries concerning the Kyoto Protocol, and therefore its effectiveness will be severely limited and thus criticizes the involvement of Canada in the Kyoto Protocol.

From the Paper
"Ultimately, the Kyoto Protocol contains many problems that are severely limiting its potential effectiveness. The various ineffective aspects of the protocol are: developing countries being excluded from the protocol, even though they contribute to a great proportion of greenhouse gases, and the U.S. government not agreeing with the Kyoto framework even though they are the largest producer of emissions. Moreover, the agreement contains certain internal contradictions such as the pollution credit system. Finally, many countries that have signed on to the agreement are having difficulty in establishing the standards and mechanisms to make it work. Overall, there is a lack of cooperation between countries concerning the Kyoto Protocol, and therefore its effectiveness will be severely limited and thus criticizes the involvement of Canada in the Kyoto Protocol."

Tags:climate, greenhouse, pollution

Abstract
This paper describes global warming and its global environmental and economic consequences. The writer explores ways of reducing the effects of global warming, the costs that will be involved, and the kind of evidence offered in support of the various proposed ways to deal with this problem. The potential role of market-based control policies, like tradeable permits, in bringing about reductions to global warming is analyzed, and an attempt is made to determine the appropriate discount rate to use for benefits and costs that extend into the future. This paper contains tables and graphs.

From the Paper
"One possible method of decreasing the effects of global warming is by applying emission charges. Emission charges are fees levied on the discharge of pollutants into air or water, or onto the soil, or on the generation of noise. These charges are designed to reduce the quantity or improve the quality of pollution by making polluters pay at least a portion of the costs of cleaning up the environment. Economists often favour emission charges over other options because by charging for every unit of pollution released into the environment they induce firms to lower their emissions to the point where the incremental cost of pollution control equals the emission charges they must otherwise pay."

Tags:climate ecosystem intergovernmental, crop disease, shortage extinction construction stratosphere refugee, Kyoto Protocol

Abstract
This paper asserts that it is the voter's responsibility to ensure that safe practices, whether related to environmental protections, occupational safety, or enforcement or sentencing related to white-collar crime become a priority for those elected. The paper makes its point by using several examples to illustrate how the public, for too long, has surrendered all public interest and decision-making powers to its president-elect. Specifically, the paper provides a cross-section of four public issues and describes the role legislation has taken in dealing with these issues. This paper argues that the citizenry of the United States, as voters, are partially responsible for holding those in power accountable. Legislators demonstrate repeatedly and consistently that their interests are vastly different from those of the general population, regardless of what they promise on election podiums.

Outline:
Impact and Interventions in the National and International Waste Oil Industry
The Demise of OSHA
Telemarketing Fraud: Impact and Penalties
Imprisonment of White-Collar Criminals
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In 1947, the generation of the planet's toxic pollutants in landfills and other storage facilities totaled five million metric tons; however, in 1988, more than 300 million tons of waste were generated, 265 million of those tons were in the US alone (Lee, 1992). To facilitate legitimate disposal practices, there are currently 75,000 industrial, and 15,000 municipal landfills in the Unites States (McFarland-Benedict, Salzman, & Miller, 1986). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported overwhelmingly however, that these facilities are deteriorated, defective, poorly controlled, and leaching toxins into the environment (Rebovich, 1996)."

Tags:waste, dumping, work, safety, health, telemarketing, criminals, sentences

Abstract
This paper discusses how there is national and international pressure for Canada and the United States to improve operations of the waste oil industry. Also examined is how, although rules, regulations and laws are improving moderately across the globe with world meetings such as the Kyoto Accord and Basel Convention, the standards set by the two nations are in dire need of improvement. The paper contends that more research and public education is needed on this topic and that international task forces such as the Basel convention need to be more effective in ensuring nations are complying with waste oil safety proposals.

From the Paper
"The United States government has passed legislation to deter improper operations in the waste oil industry such as hazardous dumping. In 1976, Congress passed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which established a minimum set of standards and regulations for control of hazardous wastes throughout the nation (Schichor, Gaines and Ball, 2002). The results of such legislation increased the costs of disposal of oil waste. This lead companies that were responsible for disposing of toxic waste to turn to illegal means of disposal to reduce costs. An example of this is the Russell Mahler case, where tens of thousands of gallons of waste had been dumped by his company into sewers. Mahler was fined $750,000, served a one-year prison sentence and was one of a handful of people in the country to serve time for such offenses (Schichor, Gaines and Ball, 2002). "

Tags:Kyoto, Accord, Basel, Convention, toxic

Abstract
This paper discusses the market opportunities for biodegradable shopping bags in Nova Scotia. It analyses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of biodegradable bags, as well as reusable bags and plastic bags, in order to identify the key internal and external factors that need to be taken into consideration when analyzing where the biggest market opportunities lie. The paper includes the complete text of the proposed Bill 390 (which will prohibit the distribution of non-biodegradable plastic bags), as well as presentation slides for the information in the paper.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Definition
Current Market Opportunities in Nova Scotia
Biodegradable Bag Manufacturers in Nova Scotia
SWOT Analysis for Biodegradable Bags
SWOT Analysis for Reusable Bags
SWOT Analysis for Plastic Bags
Laws and International Trends that Could Initiate a Market Shift
What is the State of the Debate in Canada?
Bans and International Trends
Conclusions
Recommendations
Appendices

From the Paper
"Competition from reusable bags is another very real threat to the market for biodegradable bags since there is a risk that "with the sale of reusable bags, consumers could wean themselves off plastic bags altogether." As was mentioned in the Weaknesses section of this report, reusable bags are environmentally preferable to all disposable bag alternatives, including biodegradable bags; in addition, evidence suggests that reusable bags are actually becoming trendy while plastic bags are becoming unfashionable. A designer cloth bag proudly emblazoned with the words "I'm not a plastic bag" sold out the day it was released at Holt Renfrew stores across Canada and "those lucky enough to snag the $18 bag can now sell it on eBay for more than $150." Therefore, although biodegradable bags are different from conventional plastic bags, their similar appearance may decrease their social acceptability if these trends continue. Furthermore, "major lobby groups [such] as the Canadian Plastics Industry Association, the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors and the Retail Council of Canada promote reduction and recycling over [biodegradable] plastic bags." "

Tags:plastic, reusable, manufacturers, shopping, SWOT

Abstract
This paper discusses the softwood lumber dispute between the U.S. and Canada which strained already hostile relations between the two neighbors. It examines the justification for the U.S. ?protective? tariffs for guarding their own lumber industry, while there are several hundred thousand Canadian forestry workers unemployed. It looks at the negotiations between the two countries with U.S. officials unwilling to compromise and evaluates whether the Canadian lumber industry survive under these restrictions imposed by its number one importer.

From the Paper
"The duties imposed adversely affect many while benefiting few. The seven million US workers employed by the housing and forest industries are virtually unaffected by the tariffs and the consumer price will only rise due to the tariffs. While the rise of housing costs in the US may be excused as a boom in the housing market, the real reason lies within its framing of more-expensive domestic lumber. Some Canadian mills have shifted from processing softwood lumber to processing specialized products, such as pallets, posts, and rails. The lower price at which the Canadian mills can supply, in comparison to US mills, has attracted the attention of the US consumer, therefore crippling a small part of the industry the duties were designed to protect."

Tags:environment, forestry, timber, duties

Abstract
This paper presents the background and current information with regards to sustainable development and some of the problems that are associated with the term. The paper discusses many of these areas of concern and provides possible remedies for this initiative, which is mainly the need to ensure a common direction or path.

Introduction
History
Perspectives on Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Principles
Business, Politics, and the Environment
Technology
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"Many view sustainable development as a concept that should be incorporated into our ways of thinking and into the policies that govern our society. The environment is continuing to enter a state of serious threat, and sustainable development is a means in which growth and profit are still able to occur, and the protection of the environment is the utmost importance. Sustainable development is a concept that cannot only be incorporated into the many aspects of planning but it is also an essential component of management initiatives."

Tags:environment, environmental, science, principle

Abstract
This paper covers many of the aspects which have had an impact on the recovery of Lake Erie. This assessment includes both previous and current initiatives and the paper 's attempts to relate these initiatives to the lake's overall recovery success.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement
The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
Lake Erie's Success
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In the past Lake Erie has been the site of numerous research studies, mainly attributed to its high pollution, and more recently on the restoration of the lake. Lake Erie receives its water from the Detroit River, which is known for its heavy water and then releases the water into the Niagara River (Al-Aasm et al, 1998). Lake Erie is by far the most polluted of the Great Lakes. This can be attributed to a century of abuse, exploitation, and to a lesser degree the physical features of the lake."

Tags:management, plan, research, restoration

Abstract
This paper examines some some of the key issues raised by literature on corporate citizenship. It focuses on how corporate businesses impact environment because, according to many environmental groups, large corporations and businesses are responsible for the environmental damage that has been wreaked on the world. The author discusses a list of guidelines that a corporation can follow in order to stay economically viable while still being economically conscientious in the short term. The essay concludes by suggesting that the most effective and lasting change can come from changing the attitudes, values, and ideologies of a consumer culture with an insatiable appetite for products that can only come at the expense of the environment.

From the Paper
"There are major threats to the integrity of the environment, thanks to the activities of human beings. Global warming, emissions from power and transportation, manufacturing, and our very lifestyles are all having a detrimental effect upon the environment (Manning 9). Despite claims to the contrary by a number of politically conservative scientists and politicians, there is a general world consensus that human activity, especially economic activity, is bad for the environment in general. Decreases in biodiversity and ecosystem integrity are lamented by environmental groups and seemingly ignored by many corporations (Rees 111). In many cases, it just seems like big business doesn't care if it's destroying the environment.
"However, this conception is rapidly changing. Increasingly, analysts are pointing out that environmental issues have a major impact on business decisions and policies (Austin and Repetto 199). New government regulations and increasing pressure from public and special interest groups means that businesses can no longer act without consideration of environmental impact, if only from a self-serving perspective. The standard view that there is a direct trade-off between ecology and economy is being challenged."

Tags:environmental economy ethical corporate business, social responsibility

Abstract
A look at why the Green Movement has failed in creating mass hype due to the limitations put forth by increasing conflict between humans and nature at a global level, the prevailing value of rationalization in society today, scientific uncertainty and the lack of a collective goal. The paper shows that the ramification of this is reflected in the inability of today's society to change the existing attitudes and actions towards the natural world and its resources.

From the Paper
"The Green Movement is an ecological organization that aims to change both the current abusive ideas and actions of humans towards nature. In light of the green theory of value, which holds humans should be interconnected with nature, the Green movement views human agency as the ultimate force that will lead to transformation at respectively, the individual, collective, institutional and structural levels of society. Numerous supporters have called for increased participation through certain social classes, decentralization of resources (political, economical, educational and/or social), and through common sense based on a universal ideology. The Green Movement, however, fails to attract widespread participation by not only the masses, but large-scale institutions themselves, due to the limitations put forth by increasing conflict between humans and nature at a global level, the prevailing value of rationalization in society today, scientific uncertainty and the lack of a collective goal. The ramification of this is reflected in the inability of today's society to change the existing attitudes and actions towards the natural world and its resources."

Tags:environment, green, modernity, movement, rationality, sociology