Introduction In The Development of Environmental Regimes: Chemicals, Wastes, and Climate Change, the authors provide a simple framework to analyze the development of global environmental regimes (GER) which ultimately addresses why states sometimes agree to cooperate on global environmental issues despite divergent interests. The chapter is divided into five subsections but begins with an introduction to explain the five processes involved in the development of GERs. The authors address questions such as who forms GERs and how are they formulated. Next, they apply the processes involved in the development of GERs to four case studies that are linked to global environmental issues: ozone depletion, hazardous waste, toxic chemicals, and climate change, respectively. The authors conclude that states and non-state actors can come together to address global environmental issues but not without obstacles. This paper is divided into three parts and underlines the key information provided in the respective chapter related to the development of environmental regimes. First, it introduces and summarizes the processes involved in the development of GERs. Second, it briefly illustrates these processes to two case studies provided by the authors; ozone depletion and climate change. Finally, the paper ends with a brief personal reaction, also based on readings from Conca and Debelko’s Institutions of Global Environmental Governance, to add perspective to the final analysis. Part I: The Developmental Processes The development of environmental regimes involves a five-fold process. The first process is the agenda setting and issue definition stage, which identifies and brings attention to an issue to the international community. Secon... ... middle of paper ... ...urgency that will eventually compel developed and developing nations closer to an agreement. In the US, climate change is becoming a staple topic for upcoming campaigns and even the US military and intelligence agencies are using climate change as a standard for measuring the durability and sensitivity of states. As the stakes rise, so does the sense of urgency and inevitability of international coordination and cooperation. Works Cited Chasek, P. S., Downie, D. L., & Brown, J. W. (2014). The Development of Environmental Regimes: Chemicals, Wastes, and Climate Change. In P. S. Chasek, D. L. Downie, & J. W. Brown, Global Environmental Politics (6th ed., pp. 101-173). Boulder: Westview Press. Conca, K., & Dabelko, G. D. (2010). Institutions of Global Environmental Governance. In K. Conca, & G. D. Dabelko, Green Planet Blues (pp. 117-124). Boulder: Westview Press
In the first chapter in the second half of the book Rosenbaum discusses issues that relate to air and water, which he describes as being the primary issues for environmental policy today. These issues are the most politically salient and most important. Rosenbaum explains the current condition of the air and water in America and explains the task that Americans face in restoring these; the idea of restoring America’s air and water sources has been a goal since environmentalism emerged. It is important to realize, however, that the slow progress is not entirely the blame of policy and administrative failure, but rather science and technology is constantly changing and therefore new and unanticipated effects are placed on the environment. On the flip side science is also constantly redefining the standards that need to be meet in regards to pollution. The way that he is explaining how the government is working to combat the problems of pollution he i...
Bodansky, Daniel. "The Who, What, and Wherefore of Geoengineering Governance." Climate Change 121.3 (2013): 539-551. Print. DOI.ORG/10.2139/SSRN.2168850
Because of human and nonhuman connections to specific places including knowledge, experience and community, using a sense of place and permanence as a green transnational multilateral initiative could be a successful step towards green democracy and ecological citizenship. Robyn Eckersley offers the suggestion of a constitutionally entrenched principle that would enhance ecological and social responsibility: the precautionary principle. I suggest connecting localized, place-specific boundaries with the principle. This addition is meant to aid in fostering ecological citizenship, expanding the moral community, and creating a responsible society. This addition would also be meant to unite a transnational issue that all nations could agree upon. This would create a binding multilateral principle that would be thoroughly accepting of specific ecological needs and characteristics of specific places.
Rudel, K. Thomas, J. Timmons Roberts and JoAnn Carmin. 2011. “Political Economy of the Environment.” Annual Review of Sociology 37: 221-238.
When creating an international environmental policy, many factors come into play. The political and economic situations around the world affect how international environmental policy is made. Politicians will make decisions on policies, including environmental ones, based on what the popular thing to do is instead of what is best for the environment. If it is an election year, politicians will especially make decisions based on public opinion instead of making decisions that would reflect what is best for the environment. Another factor when making environmental policies is environmental disasters. They may require immediate polici...
Jasmine’s comments about the OEC at the Stop Fracked Gas PDX meeting raised many questions for me about the organization, and I decided to pursue the question of their participation in the Kalama Methanol Refinery issue with the OEC itself. After spending several minutes on hold after asking for someone who could talk with me about the Stop Fracked Gas PDX coalition and the Refinery in particular, the OEC operator connected me to Jana Gastellum, the climate program director at the council, who was better equipped to answer my questions than her. After asking a few cursory questions about the issue, Jana deflected the question yet again to a list of Riverkeeper, 350PDX, and Sierra Club activists who were more versed on the issue. I changed
Wright, R. T., & Boorse, D. F. (2011). Environmental science: Toward a sustainable future (11th ed., pp. 349-369). Boston: Benjamin Cummings.
There is a lot of ambiguity surrounding the theory of 'global warming' and the proper political response to it. At the very center of the scientific debate on the variability of global climate is to what extent human activities influence climate change. Another unforeseeable is whether the potential impacts of climate change will be harmful or beneficial for humans, managed agriculture, and natural ecosystems. Some question the authority with which current scientific data has been given in international negotiations on the regulation of greenhouse gases. Others are convinced that immediate actions must be taken to limit the potential effects of excess greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere since the beginning of the industrial era.
Legislature’s biggest opponents are still industries with deep pockets that are heavily invested in their respective substances of interest. Thankfully, the extreme potency of the Montreal Protocol also makes a similar debacle highly unlikely since any new material that poses a threat to the ozone layer would be swiftly annexed to the protocol. Joint action of individuals, parties, and nations resulted in an ingenious, flexible protocol that has allowed humanity to rescind one of its largest mistakes to date. The events that have transpired since the first synthesis of dichlorodifluoromethane have inspired a sense of environmental awareness that has shaped international politics and the natural mechanics of the globe.
In an effort to create a sustainable global environment a significant area of focus needs to be on the interrelationships that contribute to this goal. As with the relationships associated with globalization our actions are interconnected with one another, one nations decisions in a particular geographical area can often times impact those in another geographical areas. The same cause and effect theory applies to environmental interrelationships. An area that this can be most prevalent...
1998-1999 World Resources: A Guide to the Global Environment. Environmental Change and Human Health. A Joint Publication by the World Resources Institute, the World Bank, the United Nations Environmental Programme, and the United Nations Development Programme. Oxford University Press, New York, NY 1998.
Hester, R. and Harrison, R., 2002. Global environmental change. 1st ed. Cambridge, U.K.: Royal Society of Chemistry.
The main objectives and functions of non – state actors such as: NGOs or environmental activists are mostly assistance to states and educating people in order to protect environment (Badruddin, 2014). Directly solving environmental problem requires laws and legitimacy to implement. That are functions of state actors and non – state actors do not have legitimacy for doing these. Lobbying or using population to make a pressure (such as: protest movements) or even participating in decision – making as mentioned above, these action are indirect tackling environmental problems because those present the attemp of non – state actors to affect decision of states. In some situations, the involvements of non – state actors such as: making protest could create a political anachy which deflect the protection of environment purpose or in case of representations of NGOs sit in an agenda to discuss a solution for environmental problems, their power are almost less than state actors in making decision (O’Neil, 2009). Therefore, non – state actors cannot directly tackle environmental issues. Having the same opinion about non – state actors, Raustiala (2001), argued non – state actors, especially NGOs can affect environmental policies, but state and governmental body are a key to improve environment. The writer considered NGOs “attempting shape government action” that refers non – state actors role is influence governmental ideas, do not have legitimacy in decision. For that reason, resolving environmental problems directly is a part of state actors rather non-state actors. In addition, protection of environment is also a responsibility of each individuals in society. Even state ratifield and implement environmental policies as purpose of NGOs or activists or both non and state actors attempt to educating
Just as governmental agencies have run into problems internationally when it comes to agreeing on environmental issues, NGOs have come across similar obstacles in their attempt to protect the environment. The usual rivalry of northern industrialized views opposing those of the emerging southern ideals can be seen at the level of NGOs as well.
According to the Commission on Global Governance (1995), global governance refers to “the sum of the many ways individuals and institutions, public and private, manage their common affairs. It is the continuing process through which conflict or diverse interests may be accommodated and cooperative action may be taken”. Some main actors involved in the process of global governance include states, international organizations (IOs), regional organizations (ROs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Global governance implements in various issue areas including security, economic deelopment, environmental protection and so on. Different states and organizations have different or even conflicting interests. Yet as globalisation continues and the world becomes more inter-connected than ever before, global governance or cooperation among different actors is increasingly taking a more significant role in the international stage. Some critics view global governance quite negatively as they believe that the current system lacks efficiency and effectiveness. In this paper, however, I shall argue that global governance is carried out more effectively in maintenance of world security and promotion of economic development while less effectively in environmental protection and preservation. Thus, despite limitations of the existing mechanism, global governance is still largely a postive development in world affairs.