Global Environmental Politics

by Chasek, Pamela S.

• ISBN13: 9780813344423
• ISBN10: 0813344425
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-01-05
• Publisher: Westview Pr

Summary

Although discussions about the global environment are now a daily occurrence-from companies touting energy-saving products to politicians debating how to best address the issue of climate change and other environmental concerns-it remains a topic plagued by misinformation and ideologically skewed arguments. For nearly twenty years,Global Environmental Politicshas provided an up-to-date, accurate, and unbiased introduction to the worldrs"s most pressing environmental issues, and the fifth edition continues this tradition. Offering a comprehensive yet concise overview of the environment and international politics, this updated edition includes new material on the latest international environmental regimes, climate change, the environmental challenges of free trade and globalization, and the growing role of the environment in global security. It is vital reading for anyone wishing to understand the current state of the field and to make informed decisions about which policies might best safeguard our environment for the future. Contents 1) The Emergence of Global Environmental Politics 2) Actors in the Environmental Arena 3)The Development of Global Environmental Regimes: Toxic Pollutants, Chemicals, and Wastes 4) The Development of Global Environmental Regimes: The Atmosphere, Stratospheric Ozone, and Climate Change 5) The Development of Global Environmental Regimes: Natural Resources, Species, and Habitats 6) Effective Environmental Regimes: Obstacles and Opportunities 7) Environmental Politics, Economics, and Development 8) The Future of Environmental Politics

Author Biography

Pamela S. Chasek is associate professor of political science and director of the international studies program at Manhattan College. She is the author or editor of several books and numerous articles on international environmental policy, including The Global Environment in the 21st Century and Earth Negotiations. She is also the executive editor of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, a reporting service on environment and development negotiations at the United Nations published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development.

David L. Downie is director of environmental studies and associate professor of political science at Fairfield University. The author or editor of a variety of publications, his most recent works include Climate Change: A Reference Handbook; The Global Environment: Institutions, Law and Policy; and Northern Lights against POPs: Combating Toxic Threats in the Arctic. Prior to joining Fairfield University in 2008, Dr. Downie spent 14 years at Columbia University where he taught courses in environmental politics and helped lead several educational and research programs.

Janet Welsh Brown was a senior policy analyst at the World Resources Institute, executive director of the Environmental Defense Fund, and a member and chair of the board of directors of Friends of the Earth. She also taught a variety of courses in international relations and environmental politics at the University of Washington, the University of the District of Columbia, Howard University, and Sarah Lawrence College.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	p. xi
Acknowledgments	p. xvii
List of Acronyms	p. xix
Chronology	p. xxiii
The Emergence of Global Environmental Politics	p. 1
Global Macrotrends	p. 2
An Introduction to Global Environmental Politics	p. 14
International Regimes in Environmental Politics	p. 19
Global Environmentsal Regimes	p. 24
Paradigm Shifts and Environmental Politics	p. 30
Conclusion	p. 48
Discussion Questions	p. 50
Actors in the Environmental Arena	p. 53
Nation-State Actors: Roles and Interests	p. 53
Intergovernmental Organizations	p. 63
Multilateral Financial Institutions	p. 80
Regional and Other Multilateral Organizations	p. 88
Nongovernmental Organizations	p. 91
Corporations	p. 102
Treaty Secretariats	p. 109
Conclusion	p. 113
Discussion Questions	p. 114
The Development of Environmental Regimes: Air Pollution, Hazardous Wastes, and Toxic Chemicals	p. 117
Transboundary Air Pollution	p. 121
Hazardous Waste	p. 129
Toxic Chemicals	p. 140
Conclusion	p. 160
Discussion Questions	p. 161
The Development of Environmental Regimes: Stratospheric Ozone and Climate Change	p. 163
Ozone Depletion	p. 164
Climate Change	p. 179
Conclusion	p. 200
Discussion Questions	p. 202
The Development of Environmental Regimes: Natural Resources, Species, and Habitats	p. 203
Whaling	p. 205
International Trade in Endangered Species	p. 215
Biodiversity Loss	p. 226
Fisheries Depletion	p. 235
Desertification	p. 245
Forests	p. 253
Conclusion	p. 264
Discussion Questions	p. 269
Effective Environmental Regimes: Obstacles and Opportunities	p. 271
Obstacles to Creating Strong Environmental Regimes	p. 272
Obstacles to Effective National Implementation and Compliance with Global Environmental Regimes	p. 290
Opportunities to Improve Compliance	p. 298
Increasing Financial Resources for Implementing Global Environmental Regimes	p. 308
Conclusion	p. 316
Discussion Questions	p. 318
Environmental Politics, Economics, and Development	p. 319
North-South Inequalities and the Environment	p. 320
Environment and Development	p. 330
Trade and the Environment	p. 342
Conclusion	p. 363
Discussion Questions	p. 364
The Future of Global Environmental Polities	p. 365
Globalization and the Global Environment	p. 366
Global Environmental Governance	p. 370
Conclusion: The Prospects for Global Environmental Politics	p. 374
Discussion Questions	p. 380
Notes	p. 381
Suggested Readings	p. 439
Internet Resources	p. 449
Glossary	p. 451
Index	p. 457
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.