Environmental Issues

Global Environmental Governance• Global problems require global solutions– GEG is required– Cooperation is required

• Sustainability– Sustainable Development – Modern Concern– Consuming resources at a pace that will those

resources to naturally replenish • Unsustainable– Consuming resources at a pace that will cause those

resources to diminish and become extinct – Current Global Trend living above global carrying

capacity– Rich Countries use more resources then poor

A brief History • First environmental concerns and action were

based on conservation and pollution• UN Conference on the Human Environment

(UNCHE) – 1972 in Sweden – United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP)

• UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) – “Earth Summit” - 1992– Agenda 21 – Promoted Sustainable Devlepment – Climate Change – Preservation of Biodiversity

Continue• Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” – 1962– First major counter-culture work– Changed US view of Environment Concerns– Chronicled the impact of pollutants– Launched modern environmental movement

• Birth of NGOs in 1970’s– Response to failed government attempts • Green Peace • World Wildlife Fund • Sierra Club

Continue• 1970’s Environmental Decade in US – Environmental Protection Agency • Created by Nixon • Purpose to fulfill congressional legislation

– Clear Air Act – Clean Water Act – Endangered Species Act – Safe Drinking Water Act – Toxic Substance Control Act – Etc…

Continue • Population – Population Bomb by Paul Ehrlich – Limits of Growth by Dennis Meadows • Worlds population experience rapid Growth

– Industrial Revolution – Better Food Resources – Better Medicines

• Resources are being exploited at greater rate – Can we run out of resources?

– How many people can the earth support?• Tipping Point

– Current Population is 7 Billion – Technology may increase tipping Point

International Environmental Cooperation• International Treaties and organizations are

important for environmental improvement to occur

• Norm Creation – Establishing Environmental Norms

• Capacity Building – Providing the funds and Technologies to fight Environmental Concerns

• Scientific Understanding – Cooperation and Collaboration of scientific research

Continue• Governing the Commons– Commons – areas and resources that are not under

sovereign jurisdiction and open to all – Tragedy of Commons

• Greedy over exploitation– The Magical Apple Tree – What the Care Bears have to say. – Fishing Grounds – Sushi!?!?– Caspian Sea Oil - War– Outer Space – Space Junk – Atmosphere – Dust Particles in Tahoe

– Cooperation is essential to preserve and sustain the Commons

– The “Free Ride” Problem • Destroys Solutions before they are implemented

Montreal Protocol• An Example of how cooperation can create

positive change in environmental concerns– 1985 – discovered Ozone was thinning and a

whole had developed in southern hemisphere– Increase of UV/B Radiation = Skin Cancer and damage

immune system – Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) – industrial gasses used in arrosol

cans, refrigeratiors, air-condition units, etc… were responsible

– Montreal Protocol• Imposed International Controls over use of CFCs• US Led and implemented • Ozone is thinking today and whole is gone

Climate Change • Global Warming

• A “Common” Problem • Trapping of Green House Gasses that cause• Inconsistent and devastating weather patterns• Increase in Global Temperatures • Change in Climate Patterns

– Wheat and Corn Belts • Solution is more economic and political, then environmental

– Earth Summit – first attempt to prevent CC– Kyoto Protocol

• Curbing GHS is multi-dimensional• Scientific Disagreement – human or natural • US promoted (Clinton Admin), but refused to ratify (Bush

Admin)• US largest producer of GHG, other nations refused ratify

because of US “Free Riding” leading to its collapse

IR, Globalization, and Environment • Environmentalism– Problems are Global

• Climate Change• Pollution• Etc…

– Solutions are Global• Montreal Protocol • Kyoto • Etc…

– Becoming a major field of study in IR• Environmental Studies • Environmental Public Policy • Global Environmental Economic Studies • Etc…