Global Political Ecology
-
A UN-sponsored IGO to study scientifically and assess climate change.
-
A supplement to the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change that requires economically developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by specified targets tied to 1990 emissions levels and encourages, but does not require, less developed countries to reduce emissions.
-
A holistic approach to the analysis of socio-political-economic-ecological phenomena. It focuses attention on the complexity of relationships, processes, and actors and how small changes in one part of a system can lead to large changes throughout a system.
-
Those who believe in ecological limits and the need to reduce ecological stress, thereby emphasizing conservation and the search for environmental solutions that reduce humanitys impact on ecosystems. Neotraditionalists are sometimes referred to as inclusionists because they view humankind as part of nature.
-
The ability to continue to improve the quality of life of those in the industrialized countries and particularly those in the less developed countries while simultaneously protecting Earths biosphere.
-
A thinning in the layer of ozone gas in the Earths stratosphere. Ozone absorbs most of the Suns ultraviolet radiation, with depletion resulting in increased rates of skin cancer, eye cataracts, and genetic and immune system damage.
-
The approach holding that measures are warranted to reduce or mitigate risks to human health and/or the environment even if cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.
-
Action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to slow or stop global warming.
-
Those who believe in humankinds mastery of the environment and possess great faith in technology to solve existing and future environmental problems. Modernists contend that ecosystem carrying capacity can be extended through technological advances.
-
Often called Earth Summit I or the Rio Conference, this gathering in 1992 was the first to bring together most of the worlds countries, a majority of which were represented by their head of state or government, to address the range of issues associated with sustainable development.
-
A 1987 treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that scientists have proved are responsible for ozone depletion.
-
Carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons, and other gases that create a blanket effect by trapping heat and preventing the cooling of Earth.