Deforestation in the U.S

The United States has been facing environmental issues over the past years, and the situation seems to be increasing despite the implementations made by the government. American citizens have greatly contributed to the environmental issues within the state due to their lifestyle. Some States have experienced profound climatic changes. For instance, in New Jersey, within two decades, data shows a rise in temperature by 2 degree Celsius. This is double the average compared to other states making New Jersey one of the fastest warming state. The United States is one of the top contributors to global emissions due to its rapid industrial growth, significantly affecting the environment and the citizens. Regardless of the government intervening and implementing the necessary measures to conserve the environment, Americans should be willing and genuine in helping the government. Additionally, environmental issues in the long run negatively impact the lives of the citizens. 

The most significant problem is deforestation which has caused havoc in most states within America. This paper seeks to discuss deforestation, which is part of the environmental issues. There will be an analysis of the necessary processes needed in the evaluation of the new policy. Furthermore, it will discuss the stakeholders against and in favor of the policy and other entities who need to approve of the new policy. 

Problem Identification

Forest fires have mostly contributed to deforestation within certain regions over the years. Meat production companies have also cut down trees while looking for enough space where they can enhance their business and meet their annual goals. Little or no trees causes climatic changes, and because people have chosen to engage in the elimination of trees, flooding becomes the next problem (Ruiz-Vásquez et al. 2020). Trees absorb water in their roots and when there is deforestation, there aren’t any more trees to help in the absorption water, therefore, water begins to surface on land and enter in people’s homes. Thus, people continue to lose homes over the years, increasing the migration rates within and out of the United States. Infrastructure and agricultural expansions make people cut the trees. Additionally, there are timber companies that participate in wood extraction in these forests. The U.S is one of the top contributors to greenhouse gas emissions; therefore, due to high deforestation rates, there will be no more trees to absorb the CO2, allowing this gas to be released into the atmosphere. 

Agenda Setting

This particularly refers to how the problem will be represented before the officials beginning with the president, cabinet members, Congress, and other ministries, additionally how these entities will address the deforestation issue. Since this is a matter that most affects America's entire population, it should be addressed formally, and suggestive policies should be debated. From this point, the agenda sets a platform for the process through which the policy will undergo validation. 

Policy Formulation 

After the issue is presented before the government officials, policies are suggested towards mitigating the deforestation problem. Many policies can be recommended. There is creating awareness of the dangers of deforestation and how this will continue affecting the American citizens. The policy to be used to mitigate deforestation is creating awareness through encouraging people to plant at least one tree daily makes people learn the areas where they need to make an impact. It is an eye-opening strategy for those who do not know how environmental issues negatively impact the lives of human beings (Homsy 2018, 126). This is the best strategy for reducing deforestation in America. Additionally, it makes people reflect on their present lives and how changes in the environment will impact their future lives. 

Policy Adoption

At this stage, the ultimate policy needs to be adopted by various government officials. Additionally, stakeholders also take part in agreeing on whether the policy is the best solution. Some stakeholders may be against the policy because they may feel it is a basic mitigation, therefore may suggest a policy which is more complex. However, the opposing stakeholders can be swayed to the proposers’ side by presenting to them how the future would be if people continue cutting down trees – convincing them that responsibility starts from within, and it should not be forceful. Therefore, implementing other physical policies may not be certain whether people will genuinely reduce deforestation. On the other hand, there are those stakeholders who would agree with the policy because it encourages American citizens to take personal responsibility in taking care of the environment. 

Public opinion is important in accommodating American's views concerning whether they agree with the policy or if they want another policy formulation process. Media influences public opinion by displaying the policy in a more favorable manner such that it supports the policy and encourages Americans to take part in the policy adoption. Congress also influences the adoption process whereby a bill is passed through the congress members, and the people who agree with the policy take it to the next level. If the majority of Congress agrees with the policy, it becomes enacted, and therefore, Congress passes the legislation (Acs 2019). During the bill's passing, the congress members discuss their concerns in regards to the policy. After that, Congress conducts a vote and whatever the majority decides is what is used nationwide.

On the other hand, the president also plays an important role in making the final decision which fits best the deforestation problem. However, his decision is mostly influenced by Congress' final response (Arnold et al. 2017, 393). The policy has a chance of being accepted by the Congress and President because there will be many trees planted in a day and the overall in a year may surpass the government’s expectations. Since the policy aims to encourage people to take genuine responsibility in addressing the issue, Congress and the President will agree to it. 

Policy Implementation

After Congress has decided on whether the policy is effective and should be carried forward, it also suggests various practices of creating awareness of deforestation. Therefore, putting actions into this policy is known as policy implementation. The bureaucracy oversees implementation of these practices; this body gives meaning to the legislation. The Conservation International is a bureaucratic agency that helps in raising awareness to reduce deforestation. It is an agency that encourages private sectors to form sustainable ways of raising awareness of the deforestation issue. By creating weekly campaigns and demonstrating in the streets, people will be encouraged to participate in the cause. Additionally, there will be cooperation among the citizens and the government in achieving the end goal. The decision that the court makes will greatly impact the policy; thus, the judicial review acts upon the legislative and executive actions on the policy (Richardson and Maurice 2020). There is power in the judicial review because at this point, the entity investigates the policy clearly and checks whether there are any legal issues that may occur in the future due to the policy. The Supreme Court comprises one chief justice and eight other justices who help make a final decision. After the Supreme Court passes its decision regarding issues raised on the policy, the policy will then be used nationwide following the impact it has on the citizen’s lives.

Policy Evaluation

In this stage, the government evaluates and analyses the policy and can debate on the adjustments that need to be made. Therefore, it involves the public and the various opinions that they have concerning the policy implementations. This stage improves the previous ideas that the different people had during the process, and better implementations can be made towards achieving the end goal. To show the effectiveness of the policy, some groups will be formed within different locations that will conduct campaigns and other implementations. Additionally, the media will enhance the policy and make many people aware of the situation.

Deforestation is highly increasing in the U.S and the citizens will realize the consequences later when no action is taken towards solving the issue. Therefore, the creation of awareness through planting a tree daily is the most significant policy in encouraging people to take personal initiative in reducing the rates of deforestation. Teaching one another about the negative effects of this issue will open the people's eyes and soon realize how they have damaged their lives and the environment. 

References

Acs, A. 2019. “Congress and Administrative Policymaking: Identifying Congressional Veto Power.”  American Journal of Political Science ,  63 (3), 513-529.

Arnold, Doyle, and Wiesehomeier, N. 2017. “Presidents, policy compromise, and legislative success.”  The Journal of Politics ,  79 (2), 380-395.

Homsy, George C. 2018. “Unlikely pioneers: creative climate change policymaking in smaller US cities.”  Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences ,  8 (2), 121-131.

Richardson, Genevra, and Maurice Sunkin.1996 "Judicial review: questions of impact."  Public Law  1 79-103.

Ruiz-Vásquez, Melissa, Paola A. Arias, J. Alejandro Martínez, and Jhan Carlo Espinoza.2020 Effects of Amazon basin deforestation on regional atmospheric circulation and water vapor transport towards tropical South America . Climate Dynamics 54, no. 9): 4169-4189.