PS536, Global Environmental Law and Policy
Spring Semester 2008
Problem Essay #2
The Topic
Reconsider the following statement from Andrew Hurrell and Benedict Kingsbury in The International Politics of the Environment (Oxford University Press, 1992) that was included in the assignment for the first problem essay.
"Can a fragmented and often highly conflictual political system made up of over 180 sovereign states and numerous other actors achieve the high (and historically unprecedented) levels of co-operation and policy coordination needed to manage environmental problems on a global scale?" (page 1)
Respond again to the question that these two authors raise, but this time with specific reference to how successfully the international community has responded to four (4) of the following challenges:
world population growth
combating transboundary air pollution
preserving the ozone layer
global warming/climate change
establishing a law of the seas
managing marine fisheries
conserving endangered species and/or biological diversity
addressing any other one international environmental problem of your choosing (but not the topic of your seminar paper)
Be sure to mention relevant treaties that have been adopted and the extent to which they hold promise for addressing the problems at hand. What difficulties and conflicts have been encountered in addressing these challenges? What role has the United States played in the international response to these problems?
If possible, mention ideas or illustrations from the class presentations of the term papers.
After considering these specific challenges, what is your general conclusion regarding the question raised by Hurrell and Kingsbury.
Instructions
Your essay should be in the 7-10 page (double-spaced) range. It should have a title, your name, and page numbers at the bottom.
You may use your books and class notes, but you are NOT to discuss the project with classmates before submitting your essay. Where relevant, include citations from the course readings. You are NOT expected to do any additional reading or research beyond what has been assigned in the course thus far. This is an exercise in integrating insights that you have gained from the course.
No footnotes or bibliography are necessary. Where you are referring to specific ideas from the readings, simply insert the author and page number in parentheses in the text. For example, (Sands, p. 128).
Grades will take into account both content and composition. Look upon this assignment as an opportunity to convey as much as you can about what you have learned during the last half of the course.
Your essay is due no later than 5:00 PM, Thursday, May 1. It may be submitted electronically (as an attachment to email) or in hard copy, but be sure to put your name on the paper and include page numbers. Be sure to keep a backup copy of your paper!