Running Head: REVIEW ESSAY
Review essay
Introduction
Global change involves the fast alteration of how the environment normally occurs to a more adverse situation. It is referred to as a “tragedy of commons” on a holistic mode. The human beings are involved in activities that influence the normal trend of the world as they stand to benefit hence leading to global warming. On the other hand the global countries are not in any desire to do away with green gas emissions which cause the global warming; this is so as they are set to be held liable for this effect.
Considering these challenge global strategies to try and resolve this issue has not been that successful. For instance the Framework Convention on Climate Change involved over 180 countries that were dedicated to ensuring a stable gas emission strategy hence limiting the negative impact to the climate system. This was later agreed upon though some countries pulled out from it like the US.
The international community has been involved in a lot of negotiations in the past as well as the present, though little significant steps have been made. Most of the climate studies that have been performed have been done by political scientists with keen emphasis on international relations and agreements. The options as to whether to agree or not to agree these international agreements and acquire the policies to alleviate climate change are ultimately local domestic choices.
Summary
In this article, there is the comparison of Global Environmental Politics which are Kyoto Protocol and the climate strategies of Annex 1 states (Harrison, & Sundstrom, May 2007; Zahran, Sammy, Eunyi Kim, and Mark 2007). There is a focus on the Annex 1 states that did not accent like US and Australia and other big emitters for instance Japan, Canada, Russia and the EU. The paper puts in place a theoretical comparative structure that looks on the effect of electoral incentives, policymakers’ commitments and political institutions with a keen focus on significant influence on local politics and accepted cord of behaviors.
The Climate policies are compared on varied levels; the stage acquired on the international negotiations, compliance or non-compliance or global agreements, acquisition of local programs to hinder climate change and putting in place the programs.
Comparative Methods
1. Electoral Incentives
The cost being incurred to implement the Kyoto ranges quite majorly in the states involved which similarly reciprocates itself in the local scene (Oberthür and Herman, 2006).). While on the other hand the states that more significant issues are being impacted by a rigid political opposition to comply with the international agreement. It is hence that the US and Australia have experienced a quite strong opposition in the business and labor sectors which bring about bipartisan opposition to comply with the agreement and consequently reach in non-compliance by the two countries (Vogel, 1993). In the end Russia does not reduce its compliance and formulate another agreement in being allowed as a member to the WTO for complying. This would be so considering that Russia gave its backing hence a politically inclined. Having certain form of interest would result to states to decline to mitigate.
2. Normative commitment
A normative commitment, that is quite rigid to outdo economic personal desire and may result from the voters or the politicians. The strategies put in place to create a stable environment tend to enlist support from the polls in several states. There is however the concern that the voters issue a limited form of concentration to environmental matters and offer full attention to economic matters and affordable energy costs. It is consequent that these politicians would not offer much consideration to the Kyoto Protocol and other environmental agreements. Yet when issues concerning environmental conservation arise, political agendas change in a major way (Antholis, & Talbott, 2012 VOL 10). This is noted in the EU states as well as Japan where the agreement originated. Canada on the other hand showed a different case hence resulting to deteriorating climate emission (Canada, 2002). The ideologies of most politicians have been shown to be quite delicate when compared to the voters.
3. Political Institutions
Consequently, several institutions have shown to expedite or sour notions or interest in varied ways. Electoral systems in major EU countries have the ability of elevating the concerns of the marginal groups for whom climate changes have been a political consideration. Variedly, political institutions which reduce authority and bring about veto aspects which make it better for the parties concerned while the ones not for the compliance of the agreement and mitigation strategies to go through (Dolsak, Nives. 2001). Taking a look at the US, the Clinton governments lacked institution ability to comply with the Kyoto Protocol in the aspect of rejection form the senate. On the other hand, Canada rejection has been experienced considering that the provincial institutions have wrestled to uphold their desires of local businesses.
Conclusion
In the focus of the comparative methods of politics in climate change, there have been varied considerations brought forth. In reciprocating to the morals of conserving the climate, the cost has a significant impact. The international agreement is essential to equate these costs. Secondly, the commitment by the developed states to lead the way brings to though their impending lack of competitiveness to the developing countries. Consequently, the challenge in putting in place working policies is reliant on the political institutions through electoral systems, the diffusion of power which may work for or against climate change. The climate change will still remain a huge task to be successful using the jurisdictions allocated. There is however some little hope that this would change in the coming future so as to save the coming future.
Bibliography
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