Climate Change Politics and Policy
Instructors
Credits / Language / Semester
2Credits / English / Winter
Objectives/Overview
This course guides students through the world of climate change politics and policy. It begins by examining global warming from a broader context of sustainability before considering the factors which make climate change mitigation humanity`s greatest environmental challenge. The course then delves deeper into climate change science in order for students to understand the numerous inter-relationships which complicate the search for a global resolution and the socio-political impediments which confound progress in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mitigation.
In terms of international climate change politics, the course examines the circumstances leading to the development of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the ensuing creation of the Kyoto Protocol and its “flexible mechanisms”. A study is made of the GHG abatement challenge in Japan in order to establish a grounded understanding of the forces which have undermined the efficacy of the Kyoto Protocol.
The latter part of the course then turns to an examination prospective mitigation strategies and technologies, followed by a review of the public policy options that can engender a resolution.
Schedule
To be distributed during the first class
Teaching Methods
Students will be asked to undertake preparatory reading and research in order to prepare for each class because much of the class time will be taken up by group discussion which requires a basic understanding of the relevant issues. In class 1, students will be put into groups and assigned a country to research. Each week starting in week 6, one group will present a national climate change policy overview to the class on their respective nations.
Grading
Course grades will be based on: group presentation on national climate change policy for a given country (20%) followed by a final group paper on the same theme (30%), a final exam (30%), and class participation (20%).
Required Text
To be announced.