Is it the government's responsibility to solve environmental problems or individual's?why?

First let's look at what level of government might be responsible. One can argue that environment is both a federal and state concern. It's of concern to a state as long as the impact is local but, just as with crime, once it crosses state lines it's a federal matter. For example land fill site contamination is a local/state concern, but groundwater or air pollution can quickly become a federal or even international concern. Since the federal government is responsible for safety and security of the country (and for international treaties, etc) environmental issues like ocean pollution, and carbon emission believed to influence climate change -- and requiring federal or international effort to address -- are clearly a federal responsibility.



But who should do something about the problem(s)? Clearly it is individual or industry actions that cause pollution and this has to be changed to address the problem(s). It is the clear role of government to educate and where necessary regulate practices that represent a risk to the environment. This is the same as regulating to ensure safe drugs, food, consumer products, highway or air safety, etc. Environmental regulation includes direct controls like prohibition on certain chemicals or licensing and monitoring of generating plants, plus more indirect measures like educational campaigns, grants or tax provisions or average mileage requirements for cars.



So .. it's really all of our responsibilities, with Government (and enlightened companies) taking the lead.Is it the government's responsibility to solve environmental problems or individual's?why?Personally I believe the federal government should have absolutely nothing to do with environmental issues. (amongst other things) Federal involvement in anything is another reason for them to raise federal taxes. (which are indeed unconstitutional)



Environmental concerns should be under the jurisdiction of the individual State/County/City governments. In an emergency such as hurricane Katrina people could argue that the feds should help however in that particular situation (and many others) the Non-Profit organizations like the Red Cross were there saving lives long before F.E.M.A arrived.Is it the government's responsibility to solve environmental problems or individual's?why?
@ Matt C



You are a genius! I could not have said it better myself.

I live in Louisiana. I was here and right in the middle of Katrina. We were getting it together well before the Fed showed up. We even had to work against our own local government because of their raving stupidity.Is it the government's responsibility to solve environmental problems or individual's?why?...consider reading the Constitution; all the powers and responsibilities are clearly spelled in this magnificent document !Is it the government's responsibility to solve environmental problems or individual's?why?
Depends on what the environmental problem is.Is it the government's responsibility to solve environmental problems or individual's?why?Property Rights will solve this.