Public Policy for Water Environment Federation - myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about thePublic Policy for Water Environment Federation. Answer: Identification of the policy problem The former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, New York City had adopted one of the most aggressive sustainability policies in US government. The policies were adopted with an objective to meet the needs of a growing population and the impact of that population on the infrastructure that is growing old. A sustainability policy was developed to serve as a model for cities all over the world. Mayor Bloomberg undertook a special initiative by implementing the landmark sustainability plan named PlaNYC 2030 to prevent NYC from being subjected to risk related to potential impact made by storms, leading to severe global warming (McPhearson, Hamstead Kremer, 2014). This model served as a model for urban sustainability planning that encouraged international cooperation at the local level, avoiding the international treaties for aggressive, measurable and tangible local action supporting sustainability in urban areas (McPhearson, Hamstead, Kremer, 2014). Mayor Blasio criticized PlaNYC on the ground that this plan failed to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor. It was further criticized on the ground that the projects dealt under PlaNYC is capital intensive and expensive and can only be financed by former Mayor Bloombergs office (McPhearson et al., 2015). Since the Mayor did not extend financial support to implement the projects under PlaNYC and used the defense that he could arrange support through his network of corporate connections and wealthy individuals. The plan failed to deal with issues related to frisk policing, combat inequality and other sustainability issues. After Blasio was elected Mayor, he supported and sponsored legislation that encouraged green building standards, created better emissions standards and encouraged better waste management. Although he asserted that he would continue with the efforts planned under PlaNYC but he released an updated version of PlaNYC in the form of One New York: The Plan for a Strong and Just City (OneNYC). This plan is a revised plan replacing PlaNYC as it aims at dealing with the economic and social equity and other sustainability and environmental challenges (Campbell, 2014). Policy recommendation In my opinion, it is highly recommended that in order to ensure effective sustainability policy, effective and active support should be provided at the community level. In several cases, the issues affecting the environment are framed negatively, purporting to scare the people who possess the capability to resolve such issues. The fact that people are so attached with their mobility and their lifestyles that they feel reluctant to give up their life and to ask them to change their lifestyle would be a weak political strategy (Childers, et al., 2015). However, in order to ensure urban sustainability, the change of lifestyle is often perceived as a positive step to move towards a better inspiring and convenient lifestyle. In this country, to build a sustainable society it must be based on the traditional values prevalent in the country that is, freedom, innovation and acceptance of other people, lifestyles and cultures of other people. It is equally important to have a strong political base as several political leaders understand that sustainability would drive the economic growth (Plunz, 2016). Problem related to sustainability should be a political priority An effective sustainability policy for NYC must include issues arising in growth, equity and resiliency, etc. A necessary condition for the shift to a sustainable city is the demand made by the public for the development of such city. While PlaNYC was a powerful tool, OneNYC is an addition to the third dimension of social equity (Cohen Reynolds, 2015). The sustainability related issues should be given priority, as the adoption of sustainable practices is fundamental in making cities a desirable place for both residents and businesses. The incline in the consumption and car ownership has led to urban chaos and the escape of the middle class to high-carbon working and living environments. The urban cities must adopt sustainable solutions that will allure residents, encourage sustainable lifestyles and stimulate economic growth (McPhearson, Hamstead Kremer, 2014). The shift to the sustainable city and towards a renewable resource-based economy shall require inspired leadership and political determination. This can be achieved with a base of political support for safeguarding the environment (Wheeler Beatley, 2014). However, environmental related issues have been difficult for journalists and politicians to comprehend. There is a growing threat to the planet as the environmental issues have shifted from periphery to the center of the policy and political agenda in the United States and all over the world (Wheeler Beatley, 2014). The protection of the environment becomes a highly salient political issue when the government of the country is unable to succeed in implementing effective programs including protection of water, air and land. However, the urgency to resolve such issues draws away once such programs are implemented successfully (Conway, 2014). In NYC, former Mayor Bloomberg played a significant role in the development of global urban sustainability policy by initiating action at the local level. He made climate adaptation and sustainability as his primary priorities during his administration. One of the PlaNYC agendas was to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the city to 30% by 2030, which is an ambitious goal for a city and was considered as one of the most carbon-efficient role given to its high extensive use of mass transit and high density. This plan has achieved success in incorporating environmental protection and standard of life initiatives to promote urban economic development (Elmqvist, 2014). Some of the initiatives signify the objectives of the PlaNYC, which includes the Million Trees NYC program that aims at planting one million trees for next ten years with an objective to reduce storm water runoff and cool the city. The Select Bus System is a form of transit initiative that provided buses to areas that were underserved by the subway system (McPhearson et al., 2016). The Greener, Greater Buildings plan was an internationally recognized initiative that was undertaken with the objective of enhancing energy efficiency in the large buildings in the New York City. However, not every PlaNYC initiatives were successfully implemented as some programs like proposal to introduce congestion pricing were subjected to political opposition, hence, not implemented. Mayor Blasio released OneNYC, a plan that emphasizes on sustainability plans to address environmental, economic and social challenges that may arise in the city (Caputo et al., 2016). This plan is based on stronger and aims to make the city more sustainable and resilient. The objective of this plan is to ensure both economic and environmental sustainability. Implementation of the solution The specific goals included lift the city out of poverty, take initiatives to make the city with the cleanest air and reduce emissions. It was possible to implement this plan as it was based on the strong foundation that was developed by the Bloomberg during his administration. Hence, it establishes the fact that it is fundamental to have a strong political foundation to ensure that the city fulfills the challenges that the city and its people face at present and might face in the future, while inspire the entire world to follow the same (Atkinson, Fiore Pape, 2015). In the NYC, the sustainability plans OneNYC/PlaNYC or the environmental rules that are implemented in the city have better parks, cleaner city and better standards of life. The sustainability practices that are implemented include adoption of alternative-fuel vehicle, promotion of bicycle use, education, water conservation and Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) standards (Jabareen, 2014). Under the PlaNYC plan, the initiatives that were implemented the Million Trees NYC program that aimed at planting of more trees, which would ensure better parks. The New York City Carbon challenge was established to achieve the carbon reduction goal by engaging into public and private sectors (Solecki, et al., 2016). The Greener, Greater Buildings plan was an internationally recognized initiative that aimed at increasing energy efficiency in large buildings in New York City. The NYC Clean Heat is a program initiative that was undertaken to assist building owners to comply with local regulations that aims at reducing air pollution from the heating fuel. This program provides assistance to buildings in comprehending the available conversion options, arranging finance and coordinating with utilities. Under the OneNYC plan, the initiative that are implemented and should be adhered to ensure a sustainable and resilient city includes reducing annual economic losses from crime-related events, reduction in the Social Vulnerability Index of the city for the neighborhoods across the city, lifting about 800000 New Yorkers out of poverty by 2025. The implementation of these initiatives shall ensure environmental progress with social equity and sustainable conditions and there is a strong connection between better environmental conditions and economic conditions (Cohen, Martinez Schroder, 2015). Source of Revenue $1 billion of capital had been set aside in the Fiscal 2016-25 Capital Budget for supporting the plans ensuring sustainable development within the city. It also supports city infrastructure to grow ensuring efficient infrastructure is placed where there is population growth. The fund fosters more integrated planning which includes broader amalgamation between neighborhood planners and relevant city agencies (Marshall, 2016). Hindrances in the implementation of the policies The progress report of the OneNYC stated that in the absence of effective implementation of the policies, the initiatives often fail to transcend into a concrete plan from superior goals. In addition, the plans often faces issues in the absence of a genuine community engagement process and clear mechanisms for the purpose of supporting and attempting to engage local communities in building resiliency (Klopp Petretta, 2017). Despite strong recommendations with respect to buildings, there is no assurance and certainty that the recommended code changes will be adopted. The OneNYC plan is still subjected to criticisms with respect to the lack of clearly mentioned steps and metrics. Although the plan aims at achieving economic and environmental sustainability, it lacks definite and clear implementation process. OneNYC is a broad plan for New York City, which aims at achieving set of sustainability goals, and it is not as easy as it appears to be to implement all the stipulated goals, especially, in the shadow of the success of the PlaNYC sustainability policy. It is a fact that the OneNYC policy has a much wider scope than the PlaNYC policy hence, it is important that a broader plan must be inherently superficial in its implementation and achievement of the desired sustainability goals in the New York City (Cohen Reynolds, 2015). Reference list Atkinson, J., Lin, T., Fiore, A., Pape, R. (2015). 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