Global Environmental Problems

1. Global EnvironmentalProblems 17.32 Environmental Politics

2. 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 Politics

3. “Third Generation” Issues • Global in Scale • Long-term in Scope • Significant Scientific Uncertainty • Large Economic Stakes • Complex Institutional Management 17.32 Environmental Politics

4. Global Environmental Problems • Climate Change • Ozone Depletion • Biodiversity Loss • Ocean Exhaustion 17.32 Environmental Politics

5. WHY NOT IMPOSE INTERNATIONALENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS? • Sovereignty • No Supra-National Authority • U.N. • World Court 17.32 Environmental Politics

6. 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 Politics

7. Global Climate Fluctuations 17.32 Environmental Politics

8. 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 Politics

9. 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 Politics

10. Policy Problem • Convincing the government there is a problem • Devising an effective course of action • Getting other governments to do likewise 17.32 Environmental Politics

11. Bush CO2 Plan CO2 MT per $ million Year 17.32 Environmental Politics

12. Bush CO2 Plan CO2 MT per $ million Year 17.32 Environmental Politics

13. Bush CO2 Plan CO2 MT Emissions Year 17.32 Environmental Politics

14. 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 Politics

15. 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 Politics

16. 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 17.32 Environmental Politics