Environmental Issue

Overview: The final project for this course is a research and analysis paper on a relevant environmental issue. The final project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions.
Prompt: For this milestone, address the following critical elements:
I. Problem. Give the general background for an environmental issue you will address in your final project.

A. What is the issue, and how has it impacted the environment? How long has this issue been a problem?

B. Which groups are directly and/or indirectly impacted by the situation? How and to what extent is each group affected?

C. What resources are present in this issue, and how are they being utilized? Discuss the resources as they relate to this issue and as they are used generally.

D. For the resources identified, how are they being distributed? Is the allotment of these resources consistent over time in this situation? Is the distribution appropriate? Explain. Discuss the resources as they relate to this issue and as they are allocated in a general sense.

II. Use of Goods and Services. Does the issue affect public or private use of goods and services or a combination?

A. Describe the management of the goods or services involved. Does the fact that the issue deals with private or public aspects alter the type of techniques used in the management of the issue? Explain why there could be differences in the techniques based on private or public use of goods.

B. Are incentives used to persuade those creating or affected by the issue to alter their actions? If so, how are they used? If not, is there a potential for use of incentives? Explain.

C. Does the public/private aspect affect the ability to give incentives? Address the ability to give incentives in the use of public goods and services compared to private goods and services. Who has the authority to offer incentives in this case? Explain