ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION LAW & POLICY IN SINGAPORE AND THE UNITED STATES : DIFFERENT COUNTRIES WITH SIMILAR CONCERNS

Abstract

The goal of this thesis is to identify major environmental pollution law and policy issues in Singapore and the United States. This study seeks to point out some of the major strengths and weaknesses of the environmental schemes in each country, and how these weaknesses may be resolved. To make these improvements, in some instances each country may benefit by looking to the other for suggestions. The thesis presents environmental laws in Singapore and the United States dealing with solid waste, hazardous waste, air and water (both inland and marine). Other environmental laws and policies are considered, such as those dealing with marine life and endangered species, but this work is supplemental to the main research and not its primary focus. Noise pollution is not included in this thesis, and the review of environmental laws in the United States is based primarily upon federal environmental laws. This presentation serves a backdrop to discuss some strengths and weaknesses of each country's efforts to deal with environmental pollution. The thesis then makes recommendations for each country to refine its efforts to control pollution. In Singapore, these suggestions include passage of EIA legislation, the establishment of a coordinating body to oversee environmental laws, increased recycling, and an enhanced educational campaign to teach the public and regulators about pollution issues and laws. In the United States, these suggestions include simplifying environmental laws and regulations, enhancing enforcement efforts, equitably balancing environmental issues with development and industrial issues, and adopting a global environmental perspective. This study demonstrates that each country can improve its environmental system by looking to another country and analyzing what has been successful there, and then seeking to incorporate, where appropriate, these beneficial aspects into its own efforts to deal with pollution. This thesis does not advocate that environmental law or policy is better in Singapore or in the United States. It highlights some major strengths and weaknesses of each country's efforts to deal with pollution in the hope that these countries may learn from each other, thereby enhancing their efforts to care for the environment. The law and issues are stated as at November 1, 1996.