Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is considered the dominant environmental issue of our age?
What is considered the dominant environmental issue of our age?
According to green theory, what should take precedence when addressing climate change?
According to green theory, what should take precedence when addressing climate change?
Which of the following is NOT listed as a personal action to combat climate change?
Which of the following is NOT listed as a personal action to combat climate change?
What does the climate change justice issue highlight?
What does the climate change justice issue highlight?
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What significant agreement was achieved to address climate change?
What significant agreement was achieved to address climate change?
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What challenge does finding trade-offs between economic and ecological wellbeing face?
What challenge does finding trade-offs between economic and ecological wellbeing face?
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Which powerful state recently re-joined the Paris Accord?
Which powerful state recently re-joined the Paris Accord?
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What do critics suggest is necessary to solve climate change beyond ecological theory?
What do critics suggest is necessary to solve climate change beyond ecological theory?
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What does ecological thought primarily focus on according to Green Theory?
What does ecological thought primarily focus on according to Green Theory?
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How does ecocentrism differ from anthropocentrism in Green Theory?
How does ecocentrism differ from anthropocentrism in Green Theory?
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What is a noted challenge in addressing environmental issues?
What is a noted challenge in addressing environmental issues?
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What does Green Theory suggest about the relationship between domestic and international politics?
What does Green Theory suggest about the relationship between domestic and international politics?
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What fundamental change does Green Theory advocate regarding human material development?
What fundamental change does Green Theory advocate regarding human material development?
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What are global environmental problems said to require according to Green Theory?
What are global environmental problems said to require according to Green Theory?
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What main factor contributed to the recognition of the natural environment in International Relations by the 1990s?
What main factor contributed to the recognition of the natural environment in International Relations by the 1990s?
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What does the inability to address environmental issues represent in the context of Green Theory?
What does the inability to address environmental issues represent in the context of Green Theory?
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Study Notes
Lecture on IR Theory: Green Politics (Fall 2024-2025)
- Further Readings: The lecture recommends a specific article on climate change adaptation and international relations theory. (https://www.e-ir.info/2016/04/29/climate-change-adaptation-and-international-relations-theory/)
Green Politics: The Roots
- 1990s Shift: International Relations began recognizing the natural environment as a critical and growing issue requiring both theoretical and practical attention.
- Mounting Evidence: Increasing evidence of human impact on the environment drove this recognition.
- World's most polluted countries (by estimated average PM2.5): Data shown in a graph identifies the most polluted countries.
The Basics of Green Theory
- Nature's Interests: Ecological thought prioritizes the interests of nature itself, not only those of humans.
- Tragedy of Environmental Issues: Environmental problems are seen as tragic because the issues are evident ('we can see it coming') but action is difficult or postponed. The inaction is a theoretical challenge as well as a practical one.
- Non-Technical Solutions: Environmental problems can't typically be solved by technical solutions alone.
Green Theory: A Green Morality
- Curtailing Material Development: A green morality suggests human material development might need to be limited to protect non-human nature.
- Prioritizing Nature: This implies putting nature before human concerns.
- Consuming Less: Limiting individual freedoms to consume more than needed, in prioritizing nature.
Ecocentrism vs. Anthropocentrism
- Ecocentrism: Prioritizes healthy ecosystems as prerequisites for human health and well-being.
- Anthropocentrism: Only values the short-term practical use of nature for human benefit.
- Transboundary Issues: Environmental issues frequently cross national borders, thus international cooperation is needed.
- Global Solutions: Global environmental problems necessitate global solutions.
Green Theory: Solutions
- Global Solutions Needed: Global environmental problems require global solutions.
- Questioning National Borders: This raises questions about the practicality of maintaining national borders given the interconnectedness of environmental problems.
- New Frameworks: Consider how to adapt existing human societies to accommodate eco-centrism.
Green Theory & Climate Change
- Dominant Environmental Issue: Climate change is currently the most pressing environmental issue, caused by the reliance on fossil fuels.
- Long-term Ecological Values: Green theory emphasizes long-term ecological values over short-term human interests.
- Technological Solutions Not Sufficient: Addressing climate change issues requires more than just technological solutions.
Continued... What is the solution?
- Injustice and Responsibility: Climate change highlights injustices imposed on current and future generations, and on ecosystems themselves.
- Ecocentric Values: An appropriate response requires solutions and policies based on ecocentric values, instead of solely human instrumental values.
Ecosystem: Future Outlook
- Paris Accord (2015): An international agreement addressing climate change.
- National Interests over shared responsibility: It is difficult to achieve agreement that takes into account both immediate national and longer-term global concerns about climate change.
- Prospects for international cooperation: Though global cooperation is difficult, some prospect exists for leadership from powerful states like China or the EU on environmental issues.
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Description
Explore the evolution of Green Politics in International Relations, highlighting its roots in the 1990s and the ongoing implications of human-environment interactions. This quiz will cover key concepts in Green Theory, including the importance of nature's interests and the tragic aspects of environmental issues. Dive into the critical dialogue on climate change and its theoretical frameworks.
