The Politics of Global Environmental Policies

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Preface

Environmental issues such as global warming and climate change are at the epicenter of debate among scholars, environmentalists, world leaders, concerned individuals, governmental and non-governmental organizations on how to balance relations between humans and the various natural systems on which they depend, in such a way that all the components are accorded proper degrees of sustainability.

This Book of Readings by like-minded academics and experts in the field lend credence to this on-going debate especially on the need to protect and conserve our environment by engaging in environmentally friendly activities or packaging. The idea behind this masterpiece is not only to provide adequate and proper information on the burning issues but also to build and encourage dialogue and strengthen synergies among the diverse stakeholders in the preservation of our environment.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Title Page
• Copyright page
• Contributors
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Foreword
• Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1 — Politics of Global Environmental Issue

• Global Environmental Problems
• Global Environmental Politics
• North versus South Divide
• Environmental Policies
• Conclusion
• References

CHAPTER 2 — Geographical Perspective of the Physical Environment

• The Physical Structure of the Earth
• The Lithosphere
• The Distribution of Land on the Earth’s Surface
• Earth Movement and Major Land Forms
• Rocks and Mineral Resources
• Mountains and Plateaux
• The Atmosphere
  • Density of Gases in the Atmosphere
  • Sub-Division of the Homosphere according to Layer of Temperature Change
  • Stratosphere Change
  • Mesosphere
  • The Terrestrial Atmosphere and Space
  • The Difference between Matter and Energy in the Atmosphere
• The Hydrosphere
  • The Hydrological Cycle
  • Ground Water
• The Biosphere
• Summary and Conclusion
• References

CHAPTER 3 — Human Environment Interactions

• Environmental Determinism
• Environmental Possibilism
• Environmentalism
• Environmental Impact on Man
• Environmental Aspects and Impacts of Human Actions
• Importance of Impact Study
• Assessing the Probability of Impacts
• Natural Disasters
  • Hurricane
  • Flooding
  • Earthquake
  • Drought
  • Volcanic Eruption
  • Tsunami
• Natural Disaster Management
  • Disaster Prevention
  • Disaster Preparedness
  • Disaster Relief
  • Disaster Recovery
• The Concept of Sustainable Development
• Principles of Sustainable Development
• Global Responsibility
• Conclusion
• References

CHAPTER 4 — The History and Achievements of Global Environmental Meetings

• Some specific World Environment Conferences
• United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm, 1972)
• The World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), Brundtland Commission
  • Objectives of the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED)
  • Structure of the Brundtland Commission
  • Report of the Brundtland Commission
• The 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED): The Rio Earth Summit
  • Objectives of the RIO Summit
  • Powerful Message from the RIO Summit
  • Decisions of the RIO Conference
    • On the Issue of Finance
    • On Climate Change
    • On Biodiversity
  • Agenda 21
• World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD); RIO+10; Johannesburg Summit 2002
  • Background Information
  • The Johannesburg Summit’s Agenda
  • Outcome of the RIO +10 Summit
    • Water and Sanitation
    • Energy
    • Global Warming
    • Trade/Global Economic related issues
    • Health
    • Corporate Accountability
• The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP21 (Paris)
  • Background Information
  • Core Functions of World Conferences
• Conclusion
• References

CHAPTER 5 — Issues and Impacts of Meetings on World Environment

• The Stockholm Conference
• World Environmental Meetings
• Brundtland Commission
• RIO Earth Summit
• Traditional Knowledge
• Public Display/Public Panel Review
• The Johannesburg Earth Summit of 2002 and Beyond
• The 2015 Paris Conference
• References

CHAPTER 6 — Actors in Global Environmental Politics

• States as Actors in Global Environmental Politics
• Domestic Political Factors
• Cost and Benefits of Environment Regime
• International Political-Diplomatic Consideration
• Non-State Actors
• International Organizations
• Conclusion
• References

CHAPTER 7 — Stakeholders in Global Environmental Policies

• The Emergence of Global Environmental Politics
• State Actors in Global Environmental Politics
• Participation of Non-State Actors in Global Environmental Politics
• The Roles of Non-State Actors in Global Environmental Politics
• The Involvement of NGOs in Global Environmental Politics
• International Organizations Fighting Environmental Degradation
  • Earth System Governance Project (ESGP)
  • Global Environment Facility (GEF)
  • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
  • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
  • World Nature Organization (WNO)
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• References

CHAPTER 8 — Global Environmentalism and Environmental Regime

• Deep Green or Techno-Centric Environmentalists
• Light Green or Technocentric Environmentalists
• Environmental Regimes
  • Routes or Approaches to Environmental Regimes
    • Power-based Approach
    • Interests-based Approach
    • Knowledge-based Approach
  • Regime Formations
  • The Ozone Model
• Conclusions
• References

CHAPTER 9 — Sustainable Development: Issues and Challenges

• Concept of Development
• Sustainable Development
• Indicators of Sustainable Development
• Challenges of Sustainable Development
• Addressing the Challenges of Sustainable Development
• Conclusion
• References

CHAPTER 10 — The Politics of Oil Resource Management and Environmental Degradation in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

• Conceptual Issues
• Theoretical Perspective
• Historical Trajectory of Oil Exploration and Environmental Degradation
  • Pollution
  • Oil Spillage
  • Gas Flaring
  • Mining Waste
  • Land Degradation and Deforestation
• Oil Resource Management: Minority Questions and Agitations
• Government Responses to the Niger Delta Problem
• Concluding Remarks
• References

CHAPTER 11 — Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Africa

• The Relationship between Climate Change and Sustainable Development
• Impacts and Vulnerabilities of Climate Change in Africa
• Climate Change: A Threat to Development Gains in Africa
• Regional Impacts and Vulnerabilities to Climate in Africa
• Nigeria, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Objectives
• The Federal Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development
• Managing the Climate Change Effects on Achieving Sustainable Development Objectives
• Conclusion
• References

CHAPTER 12 — Environmental Accounting Information System

• Issues
• Components of Environmental Accounting:
  • Environmental Management Accounting (EMA)
  • Environmental Cost Modeling and Resource Economics
  • Environmental Financial Accounting (EFA)
  • Environmental Reporting
  • Auditing for Environmental Aspects in the Financial Statement and External Assurance of Sustainability Reports
• Conclusion
• References