Dispelling the North American acid rain clouds: Developing a framework for political consensus through the identification of elite viewpoints
Acidic deposition has simultaneously been referred to as an environmental curiosity and as an ecological holocaust. This polarization of opinion on this pollutant has resulted in the policy stalemate in Congress over this issue and is responsible for the major part of the friction which currently besets Canada-United States relations. This study identified the distinctive viewpoints which characterize opposing attitudes. In addition, the specific areas of consensus and disagreement among these elite groups were determined. All of these objectives were carried out using the results of the Q-sort technique and interviews with members of the acid rain elite in both Canada and the United States (i.e. politicians, scientists, regulators, environmental/advocacy groups, and industry/utility personnel). Furthermore, a comprehensive, in-depth review of the scientific, legal, economic, social and political aspects of this tissue was conducted. Results show that implementation of the Acid Rain Experimental Control Program (ARECP) and the Clean Coal Technology project has the potential to break the existing stalemates over this issue and, at the same, could avert damage to many ecosystems, man-made structures and human health.
- Research Organization:
- Yale Univ., New Haven, CT (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6730498
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
The acid rain debate. Scientific, economic, and political dimensions
Acid rain and friendly neighbors
Related Subjects
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
ACID RAIN
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
CANADA
DEPOSITION
ECONOMICS
LEGAL ASPECTS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
RECOMMENDATIONS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
USA
WASHOUT
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CONTROL
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
POLLUTION CONTROL
PRECIPITATION SCAVENGING
RAIN
SEPARATION PROCESSES
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
010900 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety