Global Ecopolitics: Crisis, Governance, and Justice

by Peter Stoett

Overview

Despite sporadic news coverage of extreme weather, international conventions on climate change, or special UN days, rarely do we participate in a sustained analysis of environmental policy making. To remedy this shortcoming and to propel the discussion forward, Peter J. Stoett provides a concise introduction to environmental governance.

Through seven case studies, Stoett analyzes the ability of international policy to provide environmental protection and discusses the ever-present factors of equality, sovereignty, and human rights integral to these issues. While providing a panoramic view of the actors and structures producing these policies, Stoett reminds readers that the topic is personal, that responsible governance is not solely the charge of governments but of individuals and communities as well.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442603639
Publisher:	University of Toronto Press, Higher Education Division
Publication date:	05/02/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Peter J. Stoett is Professor of Political Science at Concordia University in Montreal and Senior Research Fellow with the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change. In 2012 he was the Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in Canada-US Relations at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. His other works include The International Politics of Whaling (1997), Human and Global Security: An Exploration of Terms (2000), Sustainable Development and Canada: National and International Perspectives (2001, co-author), Environmental Challenges and Opportunities: Local-Global Perspectives on Canadian Issues (2008, co-editor), and Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions (fourth edition 2010, co-author).

Table of Contents

List of Acronyms
Preface
Acknowledgments

1. Planetary Anxiety and Collective Dilemmas

Sovereignty, Global Governance, and Public Goods
Shades of Green
The Crosscutting Dilemma: Our Growing Numbers
Delving Deeper into Global Ecopolitics

2. International Arrangements: Actors and Effectiveness

Multi-scaled Adaptive Governance
Individuals and Communities
Governments and Governance
International Law and Institutions
Wicked Problems: Measuring Effectiveness in International Arrangements

3. Conserving Biodiversity and Wildlife

Rising Concerns: The Historical Context
The Convention on Biological Diversity
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna
Redefining the Wealth

4. Deforestation and Land Degradation

Deforestation
The International Tropical Timber Agreement
Desertification
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
Taking Root

5. Air Pollution and Climate Change

Atmospheric Pollution
The Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP)
The Ozone Layer Arrangement
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
Deep Breaths

6. Blue Peril: Oceans and Rivers

The Poles
The Oceans Crises
UNCLOS
Freshwater Scarcity
The Veins of Life: Shared River Arrangements
Surviving the Tides

7. Trade and the Global Environment

Toxic Trade
The Basel Convention on Trade in Hazardous Substances
The WTO and the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)
Toward Ethical Investments

8. War and Peace and Justice

Ecocide: The Circle of Death
The Atmospheric Test Ban Treaty
The Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques (ENMOD)
Toward Environmental Justice and Human Security

9. Another Convention Needed? Invasive Alien Species

Invasive Alien Species: The Problem(s)
Regional Efforts
Toward an International Convention on IAS?

10. Governance Gaps and Green Goals

Nanotechnology
Global Tourism
Food Security
A Global Energy Strategy?
From Angst to Resolve

Afterword: What Can You Do?
References
Index