Ch13- Global Environment

Question 1

Externalities

Answer 1

Costs or benefits for stakeholders other than the actor undertaking an action. When an externality exists, the decision-maker does not bear all costs or reap all the gains from his or her action.

Question 2

Non-excludable Goods

Answer 2

Goods that, if available to be consumed by one actor, cannot be prevented from being consumed by other actors as well.

Question 3

Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)

Answer 3

The commitment each party to the Paris Agreement makes as to how much they will contribute to reducing the threat of global warming.

Question 4

Common-Pool Resources

Answer 4

Goods that are available to everyone but such that one user’s consumption of the good reduces the amount available for others. Common-pool resources are rival but non-excludable.

Question 5

Cap-&-Trade System

Answer 5

A system that sets limits on emissions, which are then lowered over time to reduce pollutants released into the atmosphere. Firms can sell “credits” when they emit less than their allocation or must buy from others when they emit more than their allocation.

Question 6

Public Goods

Answer 6

Products that are non-excludable and non-rival in consumption, such as clean air or water.

Question 7

Montreal Protocol

Answer 7

An international treaty, signed in 1987, designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of a number of CFCs and other chemical compounds.

Question 8

Tragedy of the Commons

Answer 8

A problem that occurs when a resource is open to all, without limit. No one has an incentive to conserve because others would use the resource in the meantime, resulting in the degradation of the resource.

Question 9

Vienna Convention

Answer 9

A framework convention adopted in 1985 to regulate activities, especially emissions of CFCs, that damage the ozone layer.

Question 10

Paris Agreement

Answer 10

An agreement negotiated under the UNFCCC in 2015, signed by 197 countries, and entered into force in 2016. It was the first agreement to require commitments for the control of greenhouse gas emissions from all signatories.

Question 11

Kyoto Protocol

Answer 11

An amendment to the UN Framework on Climate Change, adopted in 1997 and entered into force in 2005, that established specific targets for reducing emissions of carbon and five other greenhouse gases through 2020.

Question 12

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Answer 12

An international agreement enacted in 1992, and entered into force in 1994, that provides an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts on climate change.

Question 13

Nonrival Goods

Answer 13

Goods for which consumption by one actor does not diminish the quantity available for others.

Question 14

Global Climate Change

Answer 14

Human-induced change in the environment, especially from the emissions of greenhouse gases, leading to higher temperatures around the globe.

Question 15

The effectiveness of environmental agreements relies on:
a) Independent action by each participating country
b) Enforcement measures imposed by international institutions
c) Collaboration and cooperation between countries
d) Financial contributions from transnational advocacy networks

Answer 15

C

Question 16

What is the role of transnational advocacy networks (TANs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in environmental cooperation?
a) Promoting conflicts among participating countries
b) Monitoring compliance with international environmental agreements
c) Impeding progress in addressing harmful environmental practices
d) Exerting control over international institutions

Answer 16

B

Question 17

What role do international institutions play in facilitating environmental cooperation?
a) Encouraging free-riding behavior among countries
b) Providing financial incentives for environmental initiatives
c) Ensuring compliance with environmental agreements
d) Promoting competition among countries

Answer 17

C

Question 18

How does the distribution of costs affect the likelihood of successful cooperation on environmental issues?
a) The burden of costs does not impact cooperation efforts
b) Actors are more likely to cooperate if costs are shared equally
c) Unequal distribution of costs can hinder cooperation
d) Cooperation is solely based on financial contributions

Answer 18

C

Question 19

What is a source of conflicting interests in environmental cooperation?
a) Determining the desired environmental outcomes
b) Distribution of power among participating actors
c) Identifying the main causes of environmental problems
d) Deciding on the timeline for policy changes

Answer 19

B

Question 20

What can hinder progress in addressing harmful environmental practices?
a) Strong cooperation among actors
b) Lack of information about environmental issues
c) Conflicts over the distribution of costs
d) Availability of technological solutions

Answer 20

C

Question 21

Among which groups of actors is effective cooperation more likely?
a) Large groups with infrequent interactions
b) Small groups with frequent interactions
c) Actors with diverse interests and goals
d) Actors with equal power and influence

Answer 21

B

Question 22

What is a key reason for less environmental cooperation than desired?
a) Lack of awareness about environmental problems
b) Limited resources available for cooperation
c) Collective action problems and free-riding
d) Lack of shared interest in a healthy environment

Answer 22

C

Question 23

Which of the following is an example of a global issue that poses challenges for environmental cooperation?
a) Local pollution in a region
b) Deforestation in a country
c) Climate change
d) Water scarcity in a specific community

Answer 23

C

Question 24

What are the challenges that individuals and countries face in working together on environmental issues?
a) Lack of shared interest in a healthy environment
b) Limited understanding of global issues like climate change
c) Collective action problems and free-riding
d) Inadequate resources for addressing environmental problems

Answer 24

C