The State Duma of Russia just passed legislation to create economic incentives when people are environmental friendly. Some of the incentives include tax credits. The chairman of the Duma Committee on Natural Resources, Environment, and Ecology is hoping that the combination of the changes in policy and incentives will create real progress in the fight to save the environment. He wants the program to eventually expand to providing incentives such as individuals not to pay for the mistakes that corporation make in harming the environment. The new bill works to classify the significance of the environmental impacts by dividing acts into three different categories. There are also tighter regulations on industrial waste because that is the main source of pollution in Russia. The only downside to this new proposed bill is that the money received from the penalties against the environment is not likely going to be used to further expand the fight against environmental destruction.
It is so great that Russia is taking steps like this to try to help the environment. Usually the biggest obstacle for the positive change to occur for the environment is politics. In most societies social issues or problems carry more weight for the individuals of that society. The institutions that hold the power have the power and influence over the government, usually the environment is not a top priority. This policy that the Russia has proposed and are going to put into action goes against the norms of every other industrial society. Russia is not allowing the big industries be above the law. A section of the bill specifically addresses industrial pollution and the fines that companies will receive if they do not comply with the new standards. The only thing that I do not understand is what is going to happen with the money collected from fines for penalties. I do not understand why it would not go back to only improve the programs to help the environment.
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