Abstract
The individual and household sector generates roughly 30 to 40 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and is a potential source of prompt and large emissions reductions. Yet the assumption that only extensive government regulation will generate substantial reductions from the sector is a barrier to change, particularly in a political environment hostile to regulation. This Article demonstrates that prompt and large reductions can be achieved without relying predominantly on regulatory measures. The Article identifies seven “low-hanging fruit:” actions that have the potential to achieve large reductions at less than half the cost of the leading current federal legislation, require limited up-front government expenditures, generate net savings for the individual, and do not confront other barriers.
The seven actions discussed in this Article not only meet these criteria, but also will generate roughly 150 million tons in emissions reductions and several billion dollars in net social savings. The Article concludes that the actions identified here are only a beginning, and it identifies changes that will be necessary by policymakers and academicians if these and other low-hanging fruit are to be picked.
[pdf-embedder url="https://www.uclalawreview.org/pdf/55-6-6.pdf" zoom="120"]
About the Author
Michael P. Vandenbergh is a Professor of Law and Director, Climate Change Research Network, and Co-Director, Regulatory Program, Vanderbilt University Law School. Jack Barkenbus is an Associate Director, Climate Change Research Network, and Senior Research Associate, Vanderbilt Center for Environmental Management Studies, Vanderbilt University. Jonathan Gilligan is an Associate Director, Climate Change Research Network, and Senior Lecturer, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vanderbilt University. |Michael P. Vandenbergh is a Professor of Law and Director, Climate Change Research Network, and Co-Director, Regulatory Program, Vanderbilt University Law School. Jack Barkenbus is an Associate Director, Climate Change Research Network, and Senior Research Associate, Vanderbilt Center for Environmental Management Studies, Vanderbilt University. Jonathan Gilligan is an Associate Director, Climate Change Research Network, and Senior Lecturer, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vanderbilt University. |Michael P. Vandenbergh is a Professor of Law and Director, Climate Change Research Network, and Co-Director, Regulatory Program, Vanderbilt University Law School. Jack Barkenbus is an Associate Director, Climate Change Research Network, and Senior Research Associate, Vanderbilt Center for Environmental Management Studies, Vanderbilt University. Jonathan Gilligan is an Associate Director, Climate Change Research Network, and Senior Lecturer, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vanderbilt University.
