"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Category: Policy
The U.S Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966
12/07/22
“What law started the protection of endangered species in the U.S?”
Species may become endangered because of human interference. To protect them, the government may have to intervene. In the United States, this began with the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966. This act allows the government to acquire land to protect species classified as endangered.
Water Rights
12/06/22
“How do some governments determine who was a right to water?”
Who has the right to use water can be a contentious question. Whoever controls water can determine if it’s to be used for agriculture, industry, recreation, preservation, and more. To conceptualize this, many governments have codified Water Rights into their laws. Water rights determine the right of a user to use a body of water. Different water rights systems in the United States include riparian, appropriative, and pueblo rights.
The United States Submerged Lands Act
12/05/22
“Who is the default owner of petroleum deposits three nautical miles off the coast of U.S States?”
It’s a big question who owns petroleum deposits by default near the coastline in the U.S. After much deliberation, in 1953 the United States Federal Congress passed The United States Submerged Lands Act. This law stipulates that any minerals or deposits found within three nautical miles (5.556 kilometers) of the waters of a U.S State belong to the aforementioned State government. An exception is made for Texas and Florida, who have a right within three nautical leagues (16.668 kilometers).
Lousiana Water Body Ownership
12/04/22
“What determines if a water body in the U.S state of Louisiana is public or private?”
Louisiana was a French and Spanish colony until it entered the United States in 1812. Before this time, all navigable water bodies were deemed to be for the public’s benefit. Once it became a state, all water bodies that were navigable by 1812 were still considered public property, but water bodies that became navigatable after were now considered private. This is what determines Lousiana Water Body Ownership.
Why Climate Migration Planners Can Learn From Earthquake Disaster Response Experts
12/03/22
“Why can climate migration planners learn from earthquake disaster response experts?”
Climate migration planners are always looking for ways to better assist communities with responding to environmental disasters. One group of professionals who have been working on this problem for a long time are earthquake disaster response experts. These people have had to find out how to accommodate sudden influxes of refugees when infrastructure is severely damaged, whether it be in Nepal or Greece and Turkey. This is Why Climate Migration Planners Can Learn From Earthquake Disaster Response Experts.
Why Architects Need to Understand Earthquake Preparedness
12/02/22
“Why do architects need to understand earthquake preparedness?”
Earthquakes cause buildings to shake and become damaged. Since architects work to make buildings, it’s only logical to understand Why Architects Need to Understand Earthquake Preparedness.
Why Funding For Nuclear Weapons Should be Diverted to Climate Adaptation Capacity Building
12/01/22
“Why should funding for nuclear weapons be diverted to climate adaptation capacity building?”
Nuclear weapons are a very expensive venture with little payback. The money used for them can be used to make humanity safer by building climate adaptation capacity. This is Why Funding For Nuclear Weapons Should be Diverted to Climate Adaptation Capacity Building.
Why Wealthier Cities Should Contribute to Repairing Neighboring City Water Systems
11/30/22
“Why should wealthier cities contribute to repairing neighboring city water systems?”
Wealthy cities often rely on workers from neighboring, less wealthy cities for services. Many times this turns into economic exploitation and segregation. This could even reach water systems, where poorer cities are not allowed to connect their water systems to wealthier ones. The infrastructure of the former can lead to disrepair and require large funding for repairs. Since the richer neighbors may have extracted wealth from the less well-off communities, it’s only fair that they should help pay to make things better. This is Why Wealthier Cities Should Contribute to Repairing Neighboring City Water Systems.
Why Polluted Water Systems Force People to Survive on Bottled Water
11/29/22
“Why do polluted water systems force people to survive on bottled water?”
Cities with polluted water systems make life incredibly difficult for residents. Not only can’t they drink the water from their faucets, but they may not even be able to bathe themselves or wash their utensils! This problem unfolded in Willowbrook, California with devastating consequences. Things became so bad that residents were forced to rely on bottled water for their needs. This is Why Polluted Water Systems Force People to Survive on Bottled Water.
Image credit: The Guardian
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