Green Policy

This chapter discusses the role of the commons in relation to the green policy area and examines the major actors in green policy. It details the major national environmental laws related to green policies and also examines the natural resources available in the United States. This chapter considers policy theories to explain green policies. Green policy is concerned with managing the commons. There are three major principles of the commons, namely, First Principle of the Commons, Second Principle of Commons, and Third Principle of Commons. This chapter concentrates on three commonly recognized mineral fuels: coal, natural gas, and petroleum, as well as renewable energy. Modern liberals tend to view common resources in terms of Rawlsian notions of social or environmental justice. Institutional analysis and development may offer some understanding of the future of environmental policy. This chapter also explores the impact of the second Trump presidency on environmental policy. The policy diffusion model does a very good job of describing innovations in green policy—environmental and sustainability policies.