http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGf8XyE7dYc

CLIMATE CHANGECLIMATE CHANGEKelly Thomas, Jessica Gajda, Hilary

Bullis

THESISTHESIS

The United States federal government, in comparison to the European Union, has taken less initiative to combat climate change, rather the responsibility has fallen into the hands of non-state actors to coordinate state

and city efforts.

How will this effect YOU?How will this effect YOU?

Reduced productivity of resources

Damage to human-built environments

Risk to health and lifeDamage to “less managed

resources”ex: wilderness & biodiversity

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http://www.npr.org/news/specials/climate/video

This is a GPG issue, not just TRANSnational!

This is a GPG issue, not just TRANSnational!

• Climate Change is the exemplary Global Global Public Good (GPG)Public Good (GPG)

• Each country’s emissions of greenhouse gases contribute cumulatively to the increase of the overall concentration, and each country’s abatements entail higher cost than benefit, unless effective concerted collective action take place

• Unfortunately there are weak political & economic instruments for entering a climate agreement and for attaining & maintaining its goals

• The ongoing best known -and highly questioned- attempt to address climate change in the Kyoto Protocol…

Kyoto Protocol OverviewKyoto Protocol Overview• Is an amendment to the United Nations

Framework Convention on Climate Change agreed in Dec. 1997

• Entered into force in 2005, 170 countries have ratified it as of 2007.

• Requires 35 developed , Annex I, countries to reduce GHG emissions specified for them.

• As of January 2008, and running through 2012, Annex I countries have to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by a collective average of 5% below their 1990 levels.

Details of the AgreementDetails of the Agreement

• Common but differentiated responsibility– Developed vs. developing countries

• Financial Commitments• Carbon Emissions Trading • Enforcement of the Protocol

– Non-compliance: Countries need to make up the difference plus 30%, Suspension from Trading Markets

United States position on Kyoto

United States position on Kyoto

• Signed the protocol, but has not ratified nor has withdrawn from it.

• Why President G.W. Bush will not Ratify:–Exemption of China and India.– Unrealistic Expectations.–Economic Reasons–Uncertainty of the Long Term

Effects

Kyoto ContinuedKyoto ContinuedSupport & Success• 175 parties, countries and political entities (EU)

have ratified the treaties.• Allowed for the Emergence of Carbon Markets• Elimination of Coal and emergence of Alternative

Energy sources.• Set a precedent for action on climate change on

National and International levels.Opposition & Failures • Largest emitter of GHG, the US, has not ratified.• Other large emitters do not fall under the Annex I

category.– China, India are exempt

• Short time frame doesn’t allow for much long term effects.

Post-Kyoto: What happens next?

Post-Kyoto: What happens next?

•February 2007 Washington Conference–Agreement in principle to a global cap-and-trade system for industrialized nations AND developing countries.

•August 2007 Vienna Talks•2007 United Nations Climate

Change Conference

European response to KyotoEuropean response to Kyoto

• May, 2000: Launch of the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP)– Phase I: 2000-2001– Phase II: 2002-2003

• ECCP II: 2005-present

The Carbon MarketThe Carbon Market• European Union Emissions

Trading Scheme (EU ETS)– commenced Jan. 1, 2005 (entered

into force Oct. 23, 2003)

• 1st mandatory int’l trading system for GHG emissions

• http://youtube.com/watch?v=y7veRksc_Yk

• Jan. 2008: proposed changes to scheme by EC– Centralized allocation of

shares– Include other GHGs: nitrous

oxide and perfluorocarbons

•

EU Emissions trading 2005-2012EU Emissions trading 2005-2012

Post 2012Post 2012

• Integrated Climate Action and Renewable Energy Package – Jan. 2008

• 20-20 by 2020– Increase to 30% if other industrialized and

developing countries take similar action

• “You Control Climate Change” Campaign, 2006– http://youtube.com/watch?v=R5CeQCALESw

UNITED STATES Climate ActionUNITED STATES Climate Action• The US Federal Government does not

currently regulate CO2 domestically and the EPA has not promulgated emission limits for CO2

Congressional ActivityCongressional Activity• The US Congress plays a key role in

determining how the US responds to the challenge of global climate change

• Legislation enacted by Congress will be necessary to reduce US GHG emissions substantially

• In Congress, 2003, the U.S. Senate for the first time voted on legislation that would cap US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

Energy Policy ActRenewable energy & energy efficiencyPower plant emissionsAutomotive fuel efficiency

Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-trade

At the STATE levelAt the STATE level• Governments are enacting mandatory

carbon controls and other programs that reduce GHG emissions

• In the business community, where governments are enacting mandatory carbon controls and other programs that reduce GHG emissions

• Plans, Targets, and Standards

NGO’s and the United States

NGO’s and the United States

What they are doing: Lobbying governments Working with local government Promoting efficiency and renewable energy Energy access for the poor Adaptation to climate change

NGOs are well-experienced in basic approaches events, market stalls, community meetings and

exhibitions Examples: WWF, Greenpeace, USCAN,

Campaign Earth, Global Green, US Climate Network, Sierra Club

Applicable IR theories: Applicable IR theories: ApproachApproach Key Key

ConceptConceptHypothesis on int’l Hypothesis on int’l cooperation on cooperation on GCCGCC

Evaluation of Evaluation of GCC PolicyGCC Policy

Realism Power and interests

Major powers determine the int’l rules of GCC regulation

Major powers successfully blocked GHG rules

Neoliberal-institutionalism

Institutional factors

Int’l regime on GCC will emerge & assist the strengthening of int’l rules of regulations

No univocal effects of int’l institutions on strengthening GHG reduction rules

Cognitivism Epistemic community

Experts with access to decision-makers strongly influence int’l rules

Hypothesis supported at the stage of concluding int’l rules of GHG reduction

So what can YOU do? GO GREEN!

So what can YOU do? GO GREEN!

At home: Change lights to ENERGY STAR and you will help the environment while saving money. Heat & cool smartly. Seal and insulate your home. Use Green Power environmentally friendly electricity. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Use water efficiently.  Spread the world.

On the Road: Buy Smart-EPA?s Fuel Economy Guide & Green Vehicle Guide. Drive Smart. Tune your ride-grade of oil, air filter, maintenance. Check your Tires. Give your car a break-public transportation, carpool, walk or bike. Use Renewable Fuels.

At the Office: manage office equipment energy use better. Look for ENERGY STAR qualified products for the Office. Use less energy for your commute. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

At School: Get involved on campus-reduce energy used in dorm rooms, work with administrators to increase energy efficiency, use Green Power, create a campus climate action plan, and develop an inventory of the university’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Works Cited:Works Cited:

• European Union Website– http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/home_en.htm

• Climate Action Network- Europe– http://www.climnet.org/euenergy/ET/

072007NGO_EUETSreview_submission.pdf• Climate change: The Global Public Good

– http://dipeco.economia.unimib.it/pdf/pubblicazioni/wp75_04.pdf• “President Bush Discusses Climate Change” Whitehouse Press.

– http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/06/20010611-2.html\

• UNFCCC – Kyoto Protocol– http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php

“WE CAN DO IT” THIS EARTH DAY!Tuesday April 22, 2008!