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PLSC Environmental > envs final > Flashcards

envs final Flashcards

1
Q

Desertification

A

LDN - land degradation neutrality - land taken to be restored
not all land is of equal value though
deadly triangle: desertification poverty and conflict
1994 UNCCD

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2
Q

forests

A

they store carbon
create and preserve habitats
underlying causes of deforestation: rise in consumption, more demand for energy, proximate: timber harvest for trade, agriculture
no MEA, just international tropical timber agreement
two soft laws, forest principles

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3
Q

Some of the KEY ACTORS in global environmental politics

A

State governments
- International organizations (IGOs, formed by state governments)
- Civil Society: it includes Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) and the public
- Private businesses and trade associations
- Epistemic communities, i.e., the community of scientists

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4
Q

Environmental disasters:

A

EXXON VALDEZ Oil Spill 1989: an oil tanker ran aground off the coast of Alaska spilling 11 million gallons
of oil.
DEEPWATER HORIZON disaster in 2010: an oil rig exploded off the coast of Louisiana, causing the largest
oil spill in world history.
The FUKUSHIMA nuclear disaster in Japan, in March 2011. The earthquake and tsunami severely
damaged the Japanese nuclear facilities in Fukushima causing the evacuation of 100,000 people.

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5
Q

Key Milestones

A

The designation of April 22 as EARTH DAY
The publication of Rachel Carson’s book, “SILENT SPRING”, in 1962.

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6
Q

Four principal greenhouse gases

A

Carbon dioxide CO2
Methane CH4
Nitrous Oxides N2O
Fluorinated gases (e.g., CFC, HCFC, etc.)

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7
Q

Climate Change regime

A

1992 UNFCCC - stabilize GHG, annual COP
1997 Kyoto Protocol - Reduce GHG, establish ETS among wealthier country
[2009 Copenhagen Accord] - eventually came PC
2015 Paris Climate Agreement - don’t exceed 2 degrees C higher than preindustrial times, but all efforts for less than 1.5C + global peaking

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8
Q

Montreal

A

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was adopted in 1987 and entered into force in 1989. The Protocol is an international treaty that sets out a schedule for the phase-out of the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), in order to protect the Earth’s ozone layer. The Protocol has been signed by 197 countries and is considered to be one of the most successful environmental treaties in history.

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9
Q

Two key obligations of WTO states

A

MFN
Most favored Nation, treat “like products” from all member states equally (same tariffs)
National treatment: treat goods imported from member states the same way you treat national “like products”

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10
Q

Biological diversity

A

1992 UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)
2000 Cartagena Protocol on safety and GMOs
2010 Nagoya Protocol on genetic resource access and benefit sharing (ABS)

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11
Q

Antarctic

A

1959 Antarctic Treaty
1991 Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty
2 related treaties: Convention of Antarctic Seals and Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

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12
Q

Deep seabed exploration regime

A

1970 UN General Assembly Resolution says deep seabed is common heritage of mankind
Some provisions in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and its protocols (UNCLOS) define ways of fairly distributing benefits of deep seabed

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13
Q

International regime for the protection of the marine environment

A

Various agreements (1972 London Convention, 1973 MARPOL Convention, Fish stock agreements, etc.) in addition to specific articles of the UNCLOS

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14
Q

Wetlands Regime (closely related to marine protection)

A

Ramsar Convention of 1972

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15
Q

Ozone Layer

A

1985 Vienna Convention
1987 Montreal Protocol
2016 Kigali Amendment re HFCs (climate change + ozone coop.)

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16
Q

Key leaders

A

VANDANA SHIVA: feminism, ecofeminism, structural view (See Morin, Box 6.1)
MAURICE STRONG: 1972 Stockholm and 1992 Rio Earth Summit conference leader, international negotiator and organizer, energy company entrepreneur, UNEP’s first Director (1972-1975). (See Morin, Box 6.3)

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17
Q

Year Milestones

A

1972 Stockholm Conference: UN Conference on the Human Environment (UNCHE)
The 1987 Brundtland Report (official name: “Our Common Future”). It contains the definition of Sustainable Development. Created UNEP.
The 1992 Rio Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil): UN Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED)
The 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa (WSSD)
The 2012 Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
2015: a special year with THREE MILESTONES
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in NY in September 2015. The 17 SDGs launched in 2015 are to be achieved by 2030
Laudato Si’ (“On Care For Our Common Home), the Pope’s Encyclical Letter, is published
The 2015 Paris Climate Agreement was adopted in December 2015 in Paris. The entire world joins in signing it

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18
Q

Systemic View

A

SYSTEMIC VIEW (shares some points with neo-Malthusians)
The biosphere is a closed system, resources are limited and environmental balances are fragile
Market forces are often ineffective in solving environmental issues and can encourage environmentally destructive behavior
Economic growth results in overproduction, over-consumption and accumulation of waste
Poverty is in large part a consequence of environmental degradation
Global environmental governance (international treaties, IGOs, international laws, etc.) is necessary to address global environmental problems

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19
Q

Liberal View

A

The LIBERAL VIEW (inspired at free-market, classical economic theory, laissez-faire; it shares some points with Cornucopians)
Humans are unique in their ability to innovate their way out of the limitations imposed by nature
Market forces and technology are key solutions to environmental problems and to poverty
Economic growth can occur without environmental degradation
The costs of economic stagnation are greater than any environmental benefit
Poverty is a cause of environmental degradation
International environmental treaties (as well as national laws and regulations) stifle economic growth and innovation and should be replaced by voluntary measures and market-based mechanisms

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20
Q

Structural

A

STRUCTURAL VIEW (socio-economic and environmental justice)
All humans have fundamental socio-economic and political rights but these are often ignored
Resources are limited and unfairly distributed: some of us have a lot and many don’t have enough
Market forces favor those with more resources and tend to exacerbate inequity rather than mitigate it
Poverty and underdevelopment are both a cause and a consequence of environmental degradation
Global governance (international laws, treaties, IGOs, etc.) is needed to address global environmental problems but is must be designed and applied fairly otherwise it becomes a tool of the powerful

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21
Q

Sustainable development goals

A

There are 17 goals:
Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

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22
Q

Air Pollution regime

A

1979 CLRTAP: Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
1991 Canada-US Air Quality Agreement (Acid rain Treaty)

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23
Q

Endangered Species

A

1973 CITES: Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species

24
Q

Whaling Regime

A

1946 ICRW: International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
1982 Moratorium on Commercial Whaling
1994 Southern Ocean Sanctuary (SOS)
Japan, Norway, Iceland dropped out and weakened it

25
Q

Key ingredients in Air

A

Nitrogen 78%
Oxygen 21%
Argon .93%
CO2 .04%

26
Q

SIx Air pollutants

A

CO
SO2
NOx
PM
Lead and Ozone
VOCs, Mercury

27
Q

IGOs

A

The World Bank
The Global Environmental Facility
UNEP
EU
UN
Brick and Mortar institutions
Created through int. law
Created by state governments
they always expand

28
Q

Six organs on UN

A

UNGA
UNSC
UN Secretariat
ECOSOC
ICJ
Trusteeship council (dormant)

28
Q

Regime creation

A

Agenda setting and issue framing
Fact finding
Regime creation
Initial/preliminary meetings,
Prepcoms (preparatory committees) and negotiation,
top-level meetings and signing,
ratification,
going into effect
Regime implementation
Regime review and strengthening

28
Q

NDC, nationally determined contributions

A

Voluntary Pledges
America’s is: to achieve an economy-wide target of reducing net emissions by 50-52 percent below 2005 levels in 2030
EU is: net domestic reduction of at least 55% in GHG emissions by 2030 compared to 1990.

29
Q

Loss + Damage

A

The Developing Countries (DCs) demand compensation from wealthy countries for the losses and damages the DCs have suffered because of climate change. The claim is based on the “polluter pays principle” (PPP)

30
Q

Three actions to address climate change

A

Mitigation
Adaptation
Compensation for loss and damages

31
Q

States that did not sign NPT

A

India
Pakistan
Israel

32
Q

THE THREE-STEP SYSTEM that can be used to measure the effectiveness of an international environmental initiative

A

What was the OUTPUT, e.g., a treaty, a declaration, a memorandum, a recommendation, etc.
What was the OUTCOME: actual behavior changes by states and other actors induced by the “output.”
What was the IMPACT: the concrete environmental improvements achieved by these measures

33
Q

THREE ASPECTS TO CONSIDER in assessing the effectiveness of different International Environmental Regimes

A

Increase concern, i.e., induce greater awareness and sensitivity by government officials and the public;
Enhance the contractual environment, i.e., the willingness of member states and other actors to cooperate by joining into binding agreements;
Enhance capacity, i.e., make governments and other actors better able to achieve their environmental goals.

34
Q

4 Types of IMPLEMENTATION INSTRUMENTS used in international environmental regimes

A

– IMPOSING REGULATIONS: (mostly “command and control” prescriptions like bans)
OFFERING INCENTIVES (negative and positive incentives): mostly “market-based instruments” like taxes)
EXERCISING PERSUASION:
Reports, declarations, principles and guidelines
Scientific organizations’ dissemination efforts (IPCC
PROVIDING SUPPORT SERVICES:
Capacity building programs to enhance administrative, monitoring, enforcing skills and capabilities or funding

35
Q

Verification Instruments (how to know if a country is following up on rules)

A

Compliance or enforcement
self reporting vs going in and checking (which can violate sovereignty) but they also can’t violate the rules so which wins

36
Q

The “Cobra Effect”

A

Sometimes environmental policies can produce effects that are the opposite of those intended:
Where does the term Cobra Effect come from? In colonial times, were cobras were spreading too fast, the government offered rewards for those who killed cobras. The reward could be cashed by showing a dead cobra. People started raising cobras to cash the reward for killing them… this led to a proliferation of cobras.
Examples of unintended consequences (Cobra Effects) in environmental politics:
Alternate license plates schemes are used in certain cities to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. Only cars with odd or even license plates are allowed to circulate on alternate weekends. This has encouraged some drivers to purchase an additional car with odd/even license plate number.

37
Q

PES: “PAYMENTS FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES”

A

What are ecosystem services? These are critically useful things nature provides spontaneously if it is not interfered with, such as:
Provisioning services : food, water, timber, fuel, oxygen;

38
Q

Security and environment

A

Environmental problems may be further exacerbated by other issues that make conflict even more likely or severe:
religious differences,
ethnic rivalries

Env issues can cause security issues and vice versa

39
Q

Five grounds to claim asylum under the 1951 Refugee convention

A

Must be outside of his/her country and
has to show that he/she fears persecution in the country of origin due to: race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular group, or political opinion.

40
Q

Malthus and NeoMalthusian

A

Population growth contributes to resource scarcity, conflict, and migration
also economic conflict over diminishing resources

41
Q

Thomas Homer Dixon

A

Societies that do not adapt to the depletion of natural resources risk becoming economically, socially, and politically weakened and this weakness increases the likelihood of violence

like how water scarcity can trigger conflict
it can also induce cooperation

42
Q

Resource Curse, paradox of plenty

A

In a politically unstable but resource rich country
Resources attract private companies
Competition generates winners and losers, socio-economic inequality takes root
Civil conflict erupts over political and resource control
ending violence and long lasting instability

43
Q

Climate conflict

A

French Revolution or Syria civil war
Global warming can create droughts, floods, and the inaeequate government response triggers riots which produce civil war and refugee flows

44
Q

International treaties that reduce impact of wars on the environment

A

Nuclear weapon treaties: Partial test ban, NPT
1972 Biological Weapons Convention and 93 Chemical Weapons Convention
1977 Environmental Modification Convention
Adding envs. protocols to Geneva Convention
The Rome Statute, the charter in the ICC that specializes in crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes

45
Q

International and civil conflict abroad that might affect or involve the United States

A

Droughts and the Syrian civil war
Droughts in East Africa: conflict in Somalia and Kenya (and Ethiopia)
Melting ice in the Arctic: competition over the new shipping lanes
Flooding in East Asia triggers resource scarcity and migration -> social discontent -> political instability
Droughts, heat waves and floods: food and water scarcity in Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq and Jordan  internal conflict and internationalized civil wars
Competition among the great powers (China, Russia, US) for strategic resources

46
Q

Threats that might affect the United States’ infrastructure or the operation of the US military:

A

Flooding in or near naval bases
Wildfires
Hurricanes
Permafrost thawing
Rising sea contaminating water supply

These threats may affect:
Ability to carry out missions, including training
Operational planning is hindered by climate change-related phenomena
Installation maintenance and resilience

47
Q

The Arctic

A

As Arctic ice melts due to global warming, new (i) mineral extraction opportunities arise and (ii) shipping lines become available. The race for exploitation and control of these assets may lead to conflict among the countries involved.

48
Q

How can globalization harm the environment

A

Transportation of goods uses GHG emissions
Overproduction of goods causes cutting of forests
Overproduction of waste, disposal challenges
Pollution displacement
Alien invasive species
hurt small farmers

49
Q

How can globalization help protect the environment

A

Spreading/making more accessible RES
International trade agreements can contain environmental clauses
Green consumerism, fostering healthy choices

Data shows that developing countries that trade with EU/US experience improved environmental conditions

50
Q

Comparative advantage: Comparative advantage is an economic concept that refers to the ability of a country or individual to produce a particular good or service at a lower opportunity cost than another country or individual. (they should trade with each other)

A

Critics say: environmental costs outweigh economic benefits, and states will relax regulations to get more industry (race to the bottom bad)

51
Q

Treadmill of production

A

capital accumulation > more investment in tech, chemicals, energy > less employment > more resource demand > more pollution, waste > but more profits > more investment in tech > less employment and repeat

52
Q

International regime for dangerous substances and hazardous waste

A

1989 Basal Convention on Hazardous Waste - minimize production of waste, dispose waste near point of generation, training programs
more relaxed for RECYCLED WASTE which became a loophole
1991 Bamako Convention - African countries signed this because basal didn’t go far enough, bans all importation of HW into Africa - BUT failure to report and economy made it hard to implement
1995 Basal Ban Amendment - closed recycling loophole, bans almost all waste to DC
2001 Stockholm Convention on POPs Persistent Organic Pollutants
2013 Minamata Convention on Mercury *

China is withdrawing from the waste recycling market (we can’t dump them our shit anymore)

HW worse for DC because weaker envs safety and inadequate tech

53
Q

Invasive species examples

A

Kudzu Forest
Cane Toad
Asian Carp

PLSC Environmental (4 decks)

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