The Geographies of Policy Translation: How Nudge Became the Default Policy Option

Although the ban on plastic bags is gaining in prominence as a policy option to manage plastic bag litter, there are mixed views on its rationale and effectiveness. This study employs a systematic literature review to understand considerations, benefits and unintended consequences of banning plastic bags. The review’s results pointed to the limited success of a plastic bag ban owing to lack of suitable alternatives, limited state capacity to monitor and enforce the ban, thriving black market, structural and instrumental power of the plastic industry. The power of the industry was manifested by the covert practice of deflecting accountability to consumers by focusing on business-oriented solutions, including an inclination towards self-regulation. The findings of this study underscored the need for a global treaty to address the transient nature of plastic bag litter and moving away from the symbolic gesture of targeting only plastic shopping bags but considering the environmental impact of all forms of plastic such as straws, foamed plastics, plastic bottles and caps. There is a general consensus in literature that the end of plastic shopping bags is not nigh due to their utilitarian benefits. This study therefore recommends the promotion of a circular economy focusing on ecological modernisation, sustainable plastic bag manufacturing and recovery strategies such as recycling as a long-term strategy. A significant strand of literature reviewed also recommends the adoption of community-driven approaches such as voluntary initiatives as opposed to a plastic bag ban as they proved to be effective in promoting environmental citizenship behaviours in countries such as Finland.

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Does agricultural intensification cause tipping points in ecosystem services?

Landscape Ecology ◽

10.1007/s10980-021-01321-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Stephen C. L. Watson ◽

Adrian C. Newton ◽

Lucy E. Ridding ◽

Paul M. Evans ◽

Steven Brand ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Agricultural Intensification ◽

Spatial Dynamics ◽

Policy Option ◽

List Type ◽

Tipping Points ◽

Software Models ◽

Non Linear ◽

Study Interval ◽

The Impact

Abstract Context Agricultural intensification is being widely pursued as a policy option to improve food security and human development. Yet, there is a need to understand the impact of agricultural intensification on the provision of multiple ecosystem services, and to evaluate the possible occurrence of tipping points. Objectives To quantify and assess the long-term spatial dynamics of ecosystem service (ES) provision in a landscape undergoing agricultural intensification at four time points 1930, 1950, 1980 and 2015. Determine if thresholds or tipping points in ES provision may have occurred and if there are any detectable impacts on economic development and employment. Methods We used the InVEST suite of software models together with a time series of historical land cover maps and an Input–Output model to evaluate these dynamics over an 85-year period in the county of Dorset, southern England. Results Results indicated that trends in ES were often non-linear, highlighting the potential for abrupt changes in ES provision to occur in response to slight changes in underlying drivers. Despite the fluctuations in provision of different ES, overall economic activity increased almost linearly during the study interval, in line with the increase in agricultural productivity. Conclusions Such non-linear thresholds in ES will need to be avoided in the future by approaches aiming to deliver sustainable agricultural intensification. A number of positive feedback mechanisms are identified that suggest these thresholds could be considered as tipping points. However, further research into these feedbacks is required to fully determine the occurrence of tipping points in agricultural systems.

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Implementing Enhanced Primary Care Registered Nurse Reimbursement in Rural Health Clinics: A Policy Analysis

Policy Politics & Nursing Practice ◽

10.1177/15271544211011989 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 152715442110119

Author(s):

Tina Switzer ◽

Erika Metzler Sawin ◽

Melody Eaton ◽

David Switzer ◽

Christina Lam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Policy Analysis ◽

Rural Health ◽

Policy Option ◽

Care Needs ◽

Rural Patient ◽

Health Clinics ◽

Sustainable Policy ◽

Rural Health Clinics ◽

Clinical Resource

Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) were created in 1977 to address the high health care needs, limited provider access, and poor health outcomes of rural Americans. Although innovative at their inception, the provider-centric model of RHC cost-based reimbursement structures has not evolved, leaving limited opportunities for change; many have failed. Comprehensive, proactive change is needed. Registered nurses (RNs) working at the top of their practice scope are a neglected clinical resource that can improve access, quality, value, and satisfaction for rural patient communities. RHC reimbursement policy must evolve to sustain and support this significant RN role. RNs have demonstrated value in care continuity and disease management, but there is little research on the utilization of RNs using their enhanced skill set in RHCs. Using the Bardach and Patashnik’s eight steps of policy analysis, the authors will describe the background and regulations of RHCs, identify current barriers to improving the health of America’s rural residents, and then provide evidence to support a new policy option according to the Quadruple Aim framework. The result is a sustainable policy recommendation designed to best serve rural communities.

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