Term
| What are the informational & cognitive barriers described by the IPCC which affect decision-making? |
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Definition
1. Knowledge of climate change causes, impacts & possible solutions doe not necessarily lead to adaptation
2. Perception of risks differ
3. Perceptions of vulnerability & adaptive capacity are important
4. Appealing to fear & guilt does not motivate appropriate adaptive behaviour |
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Term
| Why does knowledge of climate change causes, impacts and possible solutions not necessarily lead to adaptation? |
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Definition
-interpretation of information varies depending on social values, priorities, personal experiences etc.
-awareness & concern are two very different things
-perception of what actions are necessary & what are not differs between individuals |
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Term
| Why does varying perception of risks affect decision-making in regards to environmental impact? |
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Definition
-we prioritize risks based on what we think is most significant
-impacts of GEC are not immediately felt, not prioritized
-difficult to see a direct cause-impact relationship (might not even be in the same region!)
-political conflict, economic recession etc. often take precedence
-we have a finite pool of worry
(as worry over one risk increases, another will decrease) |
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Term
| Why is perception of vulnerability & adaptive capacity of concern? |
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Definition
-gap between perceived & actual adaptive capacity
-those who think they are vulnerable to one risk will also think they are more at risk from all types of other hazards
-will also feel as though they have greater challenges to overcome in adapting/addressing these risks |
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Term
| Why does appealing to fear & guilt not motivate appropriate adaptive behaviour? |
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Definition
-mixed messages from the mediate generate confusion, not a cohesive 'drive to improve'
-fear & guilt are not consistent |
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Term
| Why is it difficult to create a consistent message in regards to our impact on the environment and resulting GECs? |
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Definition
there is lots of uncertainty!
-lots that we don't know, issues we are discovering years after their cause, difficult to make predictions
-generates mixed messages from different sources |
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Term
| What is the precautionary principle? |
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Definition
| A lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures |
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Term
| What are some challenges associated with the precautionary principle? |
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Definition
-EU considers it a hard-law principle while others consider it a guideline that applies only to situations where the phrase itself is used
-does it apply only where there is scientific uncertainty, or should all actions be 'precautious'? |
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Term
| What is the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities? |
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Definition
| Disparity between developed & developing countries means that different states have different responsibilities in regards to climate change / environmental degradation, but all share the same goal. |
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Term
| Why is there a need for the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities? |
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Definition
-legal equality is not necessarily always fair e.g. vulnerability, need, capacity, financial abilities between developed & developing countries
-developed countries are disproportionate consumers of resources & producers of pollutants |
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Term
| What are some of the expectation of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities? |
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Definition
-developing countries are entitled to benefit from differentiated responsibilities e.g. timelines, commitments etc
-developed countries are expected to take the lead in meeting obligations of international environmental law |
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Term
| What are some of the global drivers that can have unwanted primary & secondary outcomes? |
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Definition
-rising GHGs, changed C/N cycles
-increasing antibiotic resistance
-increasing connectivity (economic, social, ecological)
-growing population & urbanization
-increasing resource use
-nuclear proliferation
-international terrorism |
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Term
| What are some examples of how solutions to address one issue can create new problems elsewhere? |
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Definition
-production of biofuels can accelerate deforestation, reduce food security of local populations
-fertilization to improve crop yields can pollute water with runoff & create dead zones |
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Term
| What are some important considerations to ensure effectiveness & international cooperation when creating protocols, legislation, solutions etc.? |
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Definition
-create incentives that reward cooperation
-make compliance with agreements easier than withdrawal
-climate agreements which align the interests of all parties involved
-coevolution of protocols |
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Term
| What are the 3 example named which illustrate how institutional development might proceed down the 'pathway to progress' |
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Definition
-Climate change agreements with climate-friendly global standards, encourage participation of developing countries
-high seas fishers & the need to create an inter-state policing system to enforce codes of conduct
-drug resistance & need for global standards that encourage use of most efficient treatment methods, discourage monotherapies, global subsidies to reduce financial burden |
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