Shared Flashcard Set

Details

World Politics - Nature Protection
Terms and keypoints from the unit
21
Political Studies
Undergraduate 1
11/09/2010

Additional Political Studies Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
The global commons
Definition
The physical and organic characteristics and resources of the entire planet—the air in the atmosphere and conditions on land and sea—on which human life depends and which is the common heritage of all humanity.
Term
Politics of scarcity
Definition
Scarce resources can undermine security and lead to military conflict.
Term

Depletion of the ozone layer

Global warming

Biodiversity loss

Overpopulation

Oil shortages

Water shortages
Definition
Global Environmental Problems
Term
The Tragedy of the Commons
Definition
An example of what can happen with shared resources: land, fish, air.
Term
Why is International Environmental Collaboration Difficult?
Definition

Conflict with existing agreements

Competing priorities

Equity

Scientific uncertainty
Term
The Kyoto Protocol (2005)
Definition
This attempted to limit global warming but was not signed by the U.S. It limited green house emissions and included provisions for emissions trading. Some feel it is too restrictive while others feel it is too weak.
Term
The Montreal Protocol (1987), UNEP
Definition
Reduce the production and use of gases that deplete the ozone layer (CFC)
Term
The Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) (1976, 1995)
Definition
Limit the dumping of land-based pollution into the Mediterranean Sea
Term
The Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)
Definition
The conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

-opened for signature at the Earth Summitin Rio de Janeiroon 5 June 1992 and entered into force on 29 December 1993.
Term
2010 is the international year of...
Definition
biological diversity.
Term
Environmental security
Definition
Ecopolitical view that states that Environmental threats can be as important as military threats
Term
Sustainable development
Definition
(a) Economic growth that does not deplete the resources needed to maintain life and prosperity.
b) There is a differing view on this between Neo-Malthusians and Cornucopians. N.M. believe that we are pushing the Earth's limits because of the large population that we have and worry that increased population will be unsustainable. Cornucopians on the other hand believe that with advances in technology, increased productivity will be enable the world to continute improving.
C) A real world example of this would be the fact that population continues to grow exponentially and has more than double since 1950. Most of this population growth comes from developing countries which leads to the problem of under-globalization. Some cites such as Mumbai are so inhabited that air is difficult to breathe due to pollution, and common goods are being challenged. There is also a global food crisis that causes food prices to exponentially increase year to year.
Term
There is an ozone hole over...
Definition
Antarctica
Term
Montreal Protocol 1987
Definition
Strong scientific evidence and
Active NGO epistemic community
Term
Biodiversity
Definition
The variety of plant and animal species living in the earth's diverse ecosystems.
Term
Loss of biodiversity
Definition
This is a threat because 14% of the world's species are threatened with extinction. Most likely to affect the Global South.
Term
Tragedy of the Commons
Definition
A metaphor, widely used to explain the impact of human behavior on ecological systems, that explains how rational, self-interested behavior by individuals may have a destructive collective impact.
Term
Climate Change
Definition

U.S. and China major sources of CO2

Burning coal also causes acid rain
Term
Neo-Malthusians
Definition
Believe that the Earth's population is already pushing the Earth's resources, and worry that continued population growth and development are unsustainable.
Term
Cornucopians
Definition
Believe that with the advances in technology, increased productivity will enable the world to continue improving and to be able to meet demands.
Term
Democratic Peace
Definition
- The theory tat although democratic states sometimes wage wars against non democratic states, they do not fight each other.
- In the area of International Relations we usually see most Democratic States striving to maintain alliances with each other. Usually the formation of a successful democratic alliance will lead to the spread of democracy, which in many cases will lead to less trade restrictions. Democratic states will not fight each other because their economic interdependence gives them a reason not to have to.
- One could argue that the UN represents the idea of Democratic Peace. Democracy is not a requirement to a member, butone could argue that through the UN, many implement more Capitalistic economic practices, which tend to resemble democracy and this leads nations to be less likely to opt for war due to these economic interests that are in place.
Supporting users have an ad free experience!