Global Environmental Politics

Dilemmas in World Politics

by Pamela S. Chasek, David L. Downie, Janet Welsh Brown

When Global Environmental Politics was first published, the environment was just emerging as a pivotal issue in traditional international relations. Today, the environment is considered to be a central topic to discussions of international politics, political economy, international organization, and the relationship between foreign and domestic policy. With new and updated case studies throughout, a revised chapter on improving compliance with international environmental regimes, and a new section on environment within the larger context of sustainable development, this classic text is more complete and up-to-date than any survey of international environmental politics on the market. In addition to providing a concise yet comprehensive overview of global environmental issues, the authors have worked to contextualize key topics such as the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, the Kyoto Protocol, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, international forest policy, and the trade, development and environment nexus. Environmental concerns from global warming to biodiversity loss to whaling are seen as challenges to transnational relations, with governments, NGOs, IGOs, and MNCs all involved in the multilateral interaction that is necessary to address the ever-complicated subject of global environmental politics.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Sustainability, Climate Change

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2006

Reviews

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exploring global environmental issues and related politics and economics, also looking at varied policies and protocols related to such and the work of NGOs and individuals within this arena...

[Diego · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pamela Chasek et al. presentan los principales debates políticos en torno a los problemas ambientales. En particular su revisión de la formación de regímenes ambientales desde el régimen del ozono hasta el preambulo al acuerdo de Paris. Es un libro muy apropiado para que los economistas se introduzcan a temas ambientales pues gran parte de su argumentación esta informada por teorias económicas y datos sobre las economías avanzadas y emergentes.

[Fadlyalhadad · Rating 5 out of 5]

hope

[Javi Belmonte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and with a lot of insight on global environmental issues detailing different definitions of regimes, but very tedious and monotonous at times.

[Ike Sharpless · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides an overview of the laws, actors, and strategic challenges surrounding ten different international environmental regimes: whaling, toxics, climate change, ozone, biodiversity, fisheries, forests, and a coupla others.

I use this as one of two textbooks for my Intro to Environmental Studies class (along with Raven's "Environment", which provides the environmental science underpinnings). I personally think it's an enormously helpful book. It may be too dry and wordy for my students, so I've contemplated cutting it from my syllabus, but anyone interested in understanding how NGOs, states, corporations, and IOs work together (or apart) to foster global governance around these issues needs to understand the issues discussed in this book.

If you're looking for a "fun read", though, you're probably going to be let down...this is policy wonk stuff.

[Emilie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last year we had to read this book for a course at school. I never finished it because all pages werent required and the amount of time wasnt enough.

I decided to finish it and I finally did it.
It's a good introduction to global environmental politics and the dilemas in the political world. To make a quick summary; if the country of the politician isn't in particular danger of an environmental hazard, they become the VETO state. If they are in danger; they become the lead state. How about thinking a little bit about the big picutre instead of only yourself?

Loads of information and summits and names to remember, but it gives you a clearer view of the global environmental politics today.

[Danielle Ngo · Rating 5 out of 5]

the 6th edition is great!