Page 197 - Environment: The Science Behind the Stories

vexing issues of how to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions
that drive climate change. As we continue to feel the social,
economic, and ecological effects of climate change and other
environmental impacts, environmental policy and the search
for sustainable solutions will become central parts of govern-
ance and everyday life for all of us in the years ahead.

International Environmental Policy

Environmental systems pay no heed to political boundaries,
so environmental problems often are not restricted to the con-
fines of particular nations. Because one nation’s laws have no
authority in other nations, international policy is vital to solv-
ing transboundary problems. However, international law is
often more nebulous in its origins and weaker in its authority
than national law. As environmental scientist Hilary French Figure 7.12 The North American Free Trade Agreement
has noted, “The world is still composed of nation-states that (NAFTA) eliminated trade barriers to make goods cheaper.
view themselves as sovereign, meaning that international law However, some U.S. manufacturing jobs moved to Mexico (such as
has the force of moral suasion, but few if any real teeth.” to this garment factory in Tehuacan), where wages are lower and
health and environmental regulations are more lax. Overall, NAFTA’s
impacts on jobs and on environmental quality in the three nations
International law includes customary have been mixed.
law and conventional law
The United Nations Founded in 1945 and including
International law known as customary law arises from long-
standing practices, or customs, held in common by most cul- representatives from all nations of the world, the United
tures. In contrast, international law known as conventional law Nations (U.N.) seeks “to maintain international peace and
arises from conventions, or treaties (written contracts among security; to develop friendly relations among nations; to
nations), into which nations enter. One example is the United cooperate in solving international economic, social, cul-
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a 1994 tural, and humanitarian problems and in promoting respect
treaty that established a framework for agreements to reduce for human rights and fundamental freedoms; and to be a
greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in attaining
change. The Kyoto Protocol (a protocol is an amendment or these ends.”
addition to a convention) later specified the agreed-upon details Headquartered in New York City, the United Nations
of the emissions limits (p. 528). Another example is the Vienna plays an active role in shaping international environmental
Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and its sub- policy by sponsoring conferences, coordinating treaties, and
sequent Montreal Protocol, an accord to reduce the emission publishing research. An agency within it, the United Nations
of airborne chemicals that deplete the ozone layer (p. 490). Environment Programme (UNEP), promotes sustainability
TABle 7.2 shows a selection of major environmental treaties. with research and outreach activities that provide information
Treaties such as the Montreal Protocol and the Kyoto to policymakers and scientists throughout the world.
Protocol are truly global in scope and have been ratified by
most of the world’s nations. However, treaties are also signed The World Bank Established in 1944 and based in
among pairs or groups of nations. The United States, Mex- Washington, D.C., the World Bank is one of the largest sources
ico, and Canada entered into the North american Free trade of funding for economic development. This institution shapes
agreement (NaFta) in 1994 (Figure 7.12). NAFTA eliminated environmental policy through its funding of dams, irrigation
trade barriers such as tariffs on imports and exports to make infrastructure, and other major development projects. In fiscal
goods cheaper for everyone. Yet NAFTA also undermined year 2012, the World Bank provided $35 billion in loans and
protections for workers and the environment, although side support for projects designed to benefit the poorest people in
agreements were negotiated to try to address these concerns. the poorest countries.
NAFTA’s impacts on jobs and on environmental quality in the Despite its admirable mission, the World Bank has fre-
three nations have been complex and far-reaching. quently been criticized for funding unsustainable projects that
cause more environmental problems than they solve, such as
dams that flood valuable forests and farmland in order to pro-
Several organizations shape international vide electricity. Providing for the needs of growing human
environmental policy populations in poor nations while minimizing damage to the
environmental systems on which people depend can be a tough
A number of international organizations act to influence the balancing act. Environmental scientists today agree that the con-
policy and behavior of nations by providing funding, applying cept of sustainable development must be the guiding principle
196 political or economic pressure, and directing media attention. for such efforts.

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