Globalization Lecture 5: Climate Change/National Governance

Question 1

What is Climate Change?

Answer 1

• Is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution ofweather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years

Question 2

What are the Internal and External forcing mechanisms (or climate forcings)?

Answer 2

Internal – natural processes within the climate system (ocean circulation)
External – natural (changes in solar output) or anthropogenic factors ( increased emissions of greenhouse gases)

Other anthropogenic factors also include:
–There is strong research that suggests that climate change is due to human activities causing increase in CO2 levels due mainly to emissions fromfossil fuelcombustion aerosols (particulate matter in the atmosphere). Other factors of concern, are Land use, ozone depletion, animal agriculture and deforestation

-We have released so much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that our planet’s atmosphere is now like a thick, heat-trapping blanket. By disrupting the atmospheric balance that keeps the climate stable, we are now seeing extreme effects around the globe. It’s like a thermostat that’s gone haywire — it just doesn’t work the way it should. The result: the climate changes, and it gets warmer. Extreme weather events also become more common

Today’s atmosphere contains 42 per cent more carbon dioxide than it did before the industrial era.

Question 3

What is Global warming?

Answer 3

• Is the rise in the average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere and oceans since the late 19th century and its projected continuation. Since the early 20th century, Earth’s mean surface temperature has increased by about 0.8 °C (1.4 °F), with about two-thirds of the increase occurring since 1980
• Scientists are more than 90% certain that it is primarily caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases

Question 4

What are the sources of Global Warming?

Answer 4

Developed countries and major emerging economy nations lead in total carbon dioxide emissions. Developed nations typically have high carbon dioxide emissions per capita, while some developing countries lead in the growth rate of carbon dioxide emissions. Obviously, these uneven contributions to the climate problem are at the core of the challenges the world community faces in finding effective and equitable solutions.

Question 5

What is the US contribution to Global Warming?

Answer 5

• The United States constitutes 4 per cent of the world population It is responsible for a quarter of all carbon dioxide emission. The highest of any country in the world, and more than China, India and Japan combined
• Despite having just 2 per cent of known oil reserves, the US consumes 25 per cent of the world’s oil production. 16 per cent of world oil production goes into American cars alone

Question 6

What are the links of Climate Change and Globalization?

Answer 6

In the economic dimension, climate change and other environmental issues raise questions about the values of the capitalist production system.

• There are three options: (1) force businesses to pay all costs, resulting in drastically reduced profits; (2) make governments pay, resulting in large tax increases and probably a profit squeeze from reduced consumption; or (3) do nothing and face various ecocatastrophes.
• Climate change is mostly caused by high emissions levels in developed and industrialized nations but affects the tropics, therefore, developing nations the most due to climate fluctuations. Developing countries’ economies depend on climate for production of crops which are also affected by floods and droughts caused by climate changes.

Question 7

Science of Climate change and Globalization

Answer 7

• Science plays a special role in global climate change. It has identified the issue and constructed it as a global problem with at least some human causes in the emissions of so-called greenhouse gases.
• Of course, these scientific methods and conclusions are the subject of intense debate.
• However, Scientific research has made it possible for people to think of the globe as a symbol of a common humanity. The picture of the Earth from space (the “big blue marble”) has evoked descriptions of its fragility, its limited resources, and human dependence.

Question 8

What is the Effect of globalization on national governance?

Answer 8

• Global economic integration has a long way to go
• Nation states provide a shield for domestic political differences while allowing openness to the global economy.
• The impact of globalization on the state varies substantially by political-economic system (Cause unemployment, and income inequality)
• Impact on state institutions depend on type of state and type of function - there is more of a transformation of state functions than a weakening of the state

Question 9

How can a state benefit from Globalization?

Answer 9

• Globalization will happen, facilitated by technological improvements and policy choices
• The choice between opening or closing is never all or nothing
• Even if GDP increases, the growth may not be sustainable or shared
• Markets are at the center of any successful economy
• Government has to create a climate that allows businesses to thrive and create jobs
• It is critically important to focus on equity
• Take advantage of the open global economy to achieve growth, import ideas, technologies and knowledge
• Success requires social and political stability requiring both high levels of employment and limited inequality
• The national governments have critically important roles:
• Strike a balance between openness and domestic needs
• Do not neglect social objectives: Public investments in education, health, infrastructure and Social insurance
• Do not use competitiveness as an excuse for domestic reform