Environmental Politics and Policy

Abstract

This book by Walter A. Rosenbaum provides a comprehensive analysis of how environmental policy is shaped, implemented, and contested, particularly within the United States. It explores the political, institutional, and societal forces that influence environmental decision-making, including the roles of government agencies, interest groups, scientists, and the public. The text is organized to first explain the foundations of environmental policymaking such as regulatory frameworks, policy tools, and governance structures before examining major environmental issues like air and water pollution, climate change, energy use, and hazardous waste management. It emphasizes the interaction between politics and science, highlighting how values, economic interests, and public opinion affect environmental outcomes.