13: Environment and Politics Flashcards
Three key challenges to changing the system
- Wicked (complex) problems
- Growth based path dependencies
- Interests and politics
Throughout history, what has been the main goal of institutions? Why?
Increasing productivity (growth)
To address problems like poverty, health, quality of life
Historically, why has sustainability been given less attention than growth?
The ability of humans to harm nature was limited
What is path dependence? Relation to institutions?
Idea that decisions we are faced with depend on past knowledge trajectory and decisions made
All of the institutions we have established have momentum and significant change takes a great deal of effort and time
Key types of path dependency? Briefly describe them
- Material dependencies (built environment already exists, physical structure of Edmonton = cars are required)
- Cultural dependencies (people prefer to have cars, single detached homes, etc. Bus/condos less desirable)
- Formal institutional dependencies (regulatory system favours/prioritizes cars)
Activities that relate to influencing the actions and policies of a government or getting and keeping power in a government
Politics
What is a stakeholder?
Include all individuals, groups, etc that are impacted by or who take an active interest in a policy decision
Most issues involve multiple stakeholders with…
competing interests (stakes)
Stakeholders have different types and levels of…
political power
What are some sources of power?
Wealth, social influence (fame), collective action (organization), networking, political power, knowledge
Six key types of stakeholders
- Politicians
- The public
- Producers (corporations/businesses)
- Environmental groups
- Media
- Experts (scientists)
Slide 23
Look
How do citizens/the public affect the political process
Public vote/opinion directly affects/drives government decisions
Elect members who reflect what the public wants
Key activities of sustainability/environmental NGOs
- public persuasion through advocacy
- watchdogs
- fund research
- lobby governments
How does NGO lobbying affect government decisions
Civil society persuasion and lobbying can affect public vote and opinion
What happened in Clayoquot sound?
The War in the Woods
McMillan logging was given rights to clearcut old growth forest on Vancouver Island
Massive protest to stop the logging, eventually McMillan sold their rights to local indigenous peoples and most of the sound was preserved
Clayoquot sound is now designated…
A world biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2000
Example of NGOs as corporate watchdogs
Lego had a long time association/partnership with Shell
Shell would advertise through lego
Greenpeace made video (that we watched in class) and the next day Lego dumped Shell
Most private producers are one of the following:
- Proprietorship (owner connected)
- Partnership (owner connected)
- Corporation (owner disconnected)
How are corporations unique?
They are an entity that is legally separate from its owners
Common term used to describe a corporation. What does this mean?
Externalizing machine
If there is a way to save money, they will take it and externalize costs to other people, the environment, etc
Example of Volkswagen as an externalizing machine
Made a car that recognized when it was being tested and put out fewer emissions
Would create more emissions on a real roadway, Volkswagen hid this and lied about it
Six activities through which producers resist sustainability policy
- Undertake public persuasion
- Greenwash if possible
- Fund research that supports position
- Lobby government
- Support politicians that support their position
- Support/promote favourable media
Example of corporate public persuasion and plastic
Plastic companies have subtly created a sense that most plastics are recyclable, when the majority goes to landfill
When industry groups become so connected to the government that they have tremendous influence on the policies put in place by that government
Regulatory capture
How does news media affect government decisions
Free and independent press and media provides good information to people and is an essential part of democracy
Slide 58
Six general principles of journalism
- First obligation is to the truth
- First loyalty is to citizens
- Discipline of verification
- Must serve as an independent monitor of power
- Must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise
- Must keep news comprehensive and proportional
Three main changes that have degraded the quality of news media
- Impartiality replacing objectivity
- Affirming displacing informing
- Entertaining displacing informing
What is objectivity? Impartiality?
Objectivity is seeking to present the most factual interpretation of events possible
Impartiality is providing all opinions of a debate equally (equal air time for those with competing opinions)
What is informing? Affirming?
Informing: educating the audience about the facts (high cognitive stream)
Affirming: providing viewers a version of events that they already support. Does not challenge beliefs.
How is entertaining displacing informing?
- Speed of getting story out is replacing fact checking (thinner but faster stories)
- Entertainment value is emphasized over accuracy and education value
What is happening with fabricated information? Who is behind it?
It is on the rise with the decline of journalism and the rise of the internet
- Other countries/international actors
- Political activists
- Opportunists doing it for profit
What is the role of researchers/scientists in politics? Problems?
Identify problems and provide solutions
Problems:
- challenges in connecting the public and policymakers to good science
- scientific debate often misused by actors
How did climate change politics change from 2007 to 2012
In 2007, the Harper government had clear commitments to steer us towards a cleaner Canada
Climate change was considered a serious problem and there was a climate change consensus emerging
By 2009 the consensus was falling apart. Economy was being prioritized and climate change was no longer deemed important
Four key themes in climate action opposition messaging
- If we act it will put our industries and economic growth at risk while other nations benefit
- If we act and others don’t, we sacrifice our own quality of life for no benefit
- Scientific uncertainty and debate
- Alternatives to current situation are not feasible
