Environment Politics Flashcards
Rio Earth Summit
Def: UN conference where states agree to grow economically w/o depleting natural resources or destroying ecosystems so quickly that economic growth is undermined
Sig: developing states agree to develop along cleaner lines and developed agreed. If economic projects destroy environment, they deplete resources down the road which eventually impedes economic growth
Collective Good
Def: A common good available to all members of a group regardless of individual contribution
Sig: Problem is who pays for it, free riders, current global warming issue
Tragedy of the Commons
Def: Common good which is abused, everyone takes as much as they can, resource is depleted
Soft Law
Core principles that aren’t legally binding
Montreal Protocol
Def: States agree to reduce/eliminate harmful CFCs
Sig: Successful, urgent/immediate issue, shows that states can/will cooperate and will allocate costs
Global Warming
Def: Slow, rising average temp caused by carbon dioxide emissions
Sig: expensive to solve, no immediate benefits, free rider problem
Kyoto Protocol
1997, reduce emissions to 1990 level over ten years, preferential treatment for developing countries, free rider problem (US withdraws)
Stockholm Conference ?? (elaborate)
Recognition that patterns of unsustainable development/consumption are driving crisis
Global Warming Issues
LDCs (less developed countries) have to deal with restraints while developed states don’t, common good problem (who’s paying?)
