global environmental problems
DESCRIPTION
Global Environmental Problems. International Environmental Politics. Environmental policy is about what government does and does not do to address environmental problems Environmental politics is the clash of values & interests that occurs in the course of formulating and implementing policy - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
17.32 Environmental Politics17.32 Environmental Politics 11
Global EnvironmentalGlobal EnvironmentalProblemsProblems
17.32 Environmental Politics17.32 Environmental Politics 22
International Environmental Politics• Environmental policy is about what government does and does not do to address environmental problems• Environmental politics is the clash of values & interests that occurs in the course of formulating and implementing policy• What does this suggest about international environmental politics and policy?
17.32 Environmental Politics17.32 Environmental Politics 33
“Third Generation” Issues•Global in Scale•Long-term in Scope•Significant Scientific Uncertainty•Large Economic Stakes•Complex Institutional Management
17.32 Environmental Politics17.32 Environmental Politics 44
Global Environmental Problems•Climate Change•Ozone Depletion•Biodiversity Loss•Ocean Exhaustion
17.32 Environmental Politics17.32 Environmental Politics 55
WHY NOT IMPOSE INTERNATIONALENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS?•Sovereignty•No Supra-National Authority
– U.N.– World Court
17.32 Environmental Politics17.32 Environmental Politics 66
Ozone, CFCs, and Montreal• Why was it possible to construct an international• regime to respond to Ozone Depletion
– Immediate scope and tangibility of the problem– Small set of CFC producers
• Industry interested in product change– Relatively Low Cost to Industry
• No net economic impact on states– Developed-Developing states rift healed by funding
17.32 Environmental Politics17.32 Environmental Politics 77
Global Climate Fluctuations
17.32 Environmental Politics17.32 Environmental Politics 88
Kyoto Treaty• Treaty Text• GHG Emissions Reductions
– 1990 target year– Industrial Countries = 5% reduction from 1990
• emissions levels by 2012• US = 7%• European Union = 8%• Japan = 6%• Emissions trading allowed
– Industrializing Countries = voluntary reductions
17.32 Environmental Politics17.32 Environmental Politics 99
US GHG “Problem”•90% of US GHG emissions = fossil fuel combustion•US reduction strategy must involve
– Energy efficiency/conservation– Removing subsides from fossil fuel extraction/production
•(~ $100 billion/year)– Develop alternative energy sources
17.32 Environmental Politics17.32 Environmental Politics 1010
Policy Problem•Convincing the government there is a problem•Devising an effective course of action•Getting other governments to do likewise
17.32 Environmental Politics17.32 Environmental Politics 1111
Bush CO2 PlanCO
2 M
T pe
r $
mill
ion
Year
17.32 Environmental Politics17.32 Environmental Politics 1212
Bush CO2 PlanCO
2 M
T pe
r $
mill
ion
Year
17.32 Environmental Politics17.32 Environmental Politics 1313
Bush CO2 Plan
Year
CO2
MT
Emis
sion
s
17.32 Environmental Politics17.32 Environmental Politics 1414
Biodiversity Loss•Continental-Scale Ecosystem Destruction
– Human Population Growth– Economic Development
•Mining, forestry, agriculture•Ebola virus killing off African primates
•Climate Change
17.32 Environmental Politics17.32 Environmental Politics 1515
Biodiversity Loss•Consumptive Use•Bio-Homogenization
– Economic Globalization– Alien Invasions
•Fungus decimating amphibian populations•West Nile Virus decimating bird populations
– Plus dozens of other species•Sudden Oak Death Syndrome•Wooly Adelgid
17.32 Environmental Politics17.32 Environmental Politics 1616
Ocean Exhaustion• Consumption
– Collapsing Fish Populations– “collateral damage
• Leatherback turtles• Pollution
– Eutrophication• Dying Coral reefs
– Toxins, Viruses, Bacteria• Sea otter decline
• Habitat destruction– Bottom trawling– Coastal wetlands