global economy and the environment

tools to fight climate change

capitalism —> economic growth + innovation

environmental captialism

global norms (paris climate accords); transfer of tech and aid to LDCs; strengthens property rights, laws, institutions

critics of environmental capitalism

media/NGOs exaggerate; damage externalized to weak/future populations

ecological concerns

overpopulation in global south; rising consumption —> larger ecological footprint; ecological shadows; eco-apartheid

ecological shadows

powerful nations displace damage

eco-apartheid

unequal ecological harm (e.g., Flint)

1750-1900

industrialization —> large-scale human impact

early 20th century

focus on wildlife/resource conservation

1968-73

environmentalism becomes public concern

1972 stockholm conference - north

pollution, conservation

1972 stockholm conference - south

development, poverty

post-1970s

economic recession —> environmentalism decline

mid-1980s onward

rise of sustainable development - meet present needs without harming future generations

1987 brundtland report

growth ok if managed properly; transfer tech to global south; tackle poverty + population control

environmetal kuznets curve (EKC)

growth —> better envrionmental policy long-term; countries can “tunnel” through by adopting tech early

free trade —> sustainability

shares green tech/ideas; firms compete to meet environmental standards

critiques of EKC

ignores ecosystem integrity + CO2 trends; clean-up = often due to outsourcing dirty industries (to Global South); globalization “distances” production from consumption; growth —> more goods —> outweighs efficiency gains

pollution havens

low standards attract dirty industries

double standards

firms apply strict rules at home, lax ones abroad

criticisms of sustainable development

developed countries don’t give enough aid; conditional aid = exploitation

global environmental facility (GEF) - pilot: 1991/est.: 1994

involves: world bank, undp, unep

international environmental regimes

rules + norms governing environmental issues internationally

phases of international environmental regimes

recognize problem; negotiate rules; implement policies; adapt as norms change

examples of international environmental regimes

ozone depletion; climate change; deforestation

symbolic vs effective action

treaties = largely ineffective; governments lack control over emissions

solutions

focus on major emitters; realistic + manageable policies; strong institutions, not just treaties