Climate Change and Environmental Issues

A time where human activity has become the main force shaping our planet’s climate and ecosystems.

Anthropocene

An organization established after the first global conference held in 1972.

UN Environment Programme

The idea that environment and development must go hand in hand.

Sustainable development

A conference in Rio that brought together nations to discuss sustainable development and agreements like Agenda 21.

1992 Earth Summit

An approach where international cooperation establishes governance regimes to regulate transboundary environmental problems.

Liberal Approach

An approach that suggests international environmental cooperation often neglects the struggles for national advantage.

Realist Approach

A principle stating that actions should be taken to avoid threats of serious and irreversible environmental damage, even when scientific evidence is uncertain.

Precautionary Principle

A conference aimed at addressing the impact of human socio-economic activities on the environment.

UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)

A convention that empowers citizens and civil organizations in environmental matters based on participative democracy.

Aarhus Convention

Targets established to promote the effective implementation of actions on biodiversity.

20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets (2011-2020)

A set of goals providing a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity.

17 Sustainable Development Goals (2030)

A legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted by 196 parties.

2015 Paris Agreement

The process of developing and strengthening skills and resources necessary for organizations and communities to thrive.

Capacity Building

The framework that depends on wealthy countries' willingness to fund mitigation and adaptation activities.

UNFCCC

An organization focused on international cooperation in meteorology.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

The conflict between individual interest and collective interest in the use of shared resources.

Tragedy of the Commons

A multilateral agreement regulating the production of nearly 100 ozone-depleting substances.

Montreal Protocol

Increased levels of carbon dioxide contributing to climate change.

Enhanced Greenhouse Effects

A group of 44 small island developing states influencing climate agreements.

The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)

An agreement focusing on developed countries to reduce emissions by 5%.

Kyoto Protocol

A perspective that views the natural environment as a contextual factor in national power.

Realism

A theory about achieving unity through cooperative solutions in international relations.

Liberal Institutionalism

A perspective that blames capitalist systems for environmental problems.

Marxist and Gramscian

A theory focusing on the social constructions that influence environmental understandings.

Constructivism

A perspective linking environmental change to national security concerns.

Orthodox Perspective

Countries including the USA, Canada, and Russia that have interests in the Arctic region.

Arctic States

An unspecified term related to Arctic or environmental studies.

Snow Dragon

An initiative relating to trade routes in the Arctic region.

Polar Silk Road