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Tough Environmental Policy Question? Bring in the MPAs
100 million personal computers were disposed of in
2004, and they are not benign -- computers contain hazardous
materials harmful to human health and the environment, and no policy
exists to manage this e-waste. Is anyone working on this problem?
Bring in the MPAs. This semester, a group studying to get their
Masters' in Public Administration in Environmental Science and
Policy examined this problem as part of their final briefings in
their Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management class. This group
was one of five student groups who presented final briefings on
complex policy issues to an audience of students and faculty on
April 19, 2006.
The e-waste group examined existing programs in California, Maine,
Massachusetts, Washington, Japan and the European Union and surveyed
the views of stakeholders in the legislation. The team reported
concerns regarding the impact on existing markets, as well as a
preference for a national policy versus a patchwork of stand-alone
programs.
 "What was great about the workshop is that it has provided me with
so many transferable 'real world' skills, from having to synthesize
relatively complex information to a comprehensive briefing, to
communicating with the team and making sure everyone has a chance to
contribute to the discussion," said student project manager
Christine Chase.
The Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Policy Analysis combines the
culmination of knowledge learned throughout the past year, where
they studied subjects including environmental sciences, statistics,
economics, and management, and apply it to real life environmental
issues.
"The Workshops apply much of what our students have learned
throughout the past year, where they studied subjects such as
environmental sciences, ethics, statistics, economics, and
management, to solving real world environmental problems," said
Steven Cohen, Director of the MPA program in Environmental Science
and Policy. "Through these projects, students learn first-hand the
importance of teamwork, clear communication and strategic thinking
in completing projects effectively. Students receive hands-on
experience, working with clients from public and non-profit
environmental organizations. Our program places a premium on
learning by doing. Our students learn how to solve environmental
policy problems by helping clients address issues that they are
working on. Everyone wins — our students learn policy and management
analysis and our clients receive free, high quality analytic work."
The projects began in January and are typically completed at the end
of April, where students will present a formal briefing and provide
a formal written report for each client. The MPA programs at SIPA
have been doing projects similar to these since 1982.
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