Global Environmental Politics

This is a course on global environmental governance. Environmental regulation has expanded from a domestic phenomenon to one that has both global participants and global impacts. Much effort has been invested in formulating international environmental policies. However, these efforts have been rife with complications and disagreements, as many environmental indicators show worsening ecological conditions at unprecedented levels. The scientific uncertainty that shrouds many environmental questions is compounded by the fact that environmental issues often lie at the conjunction of contentious political concerns such as economic development, international trade, ecological justice, and global influence. This course provides an overview of the key concepts, actors, concerns, and issues related to global environmental policy and negotiations. The goal is to understand the larger picture of intertwining relationships between natural, political, economic, and social systems that shape environmental policy.