Please provide an answer for the questions below using the assigned readings for Weeks 1 and 2 listed in the course syllabus. Be sure to cite course reading materials. 

The minimum word count for the response is 1500 words and must not exceed 2000 words (approximately 6-8 pages – excluding cover page and references section). 

Provide a cover page with your name, course information, and a title, and include a references section on a separate page. The document must be double spaced with 12 point font, one inch margins, and use proper grammar/spelling.  Also, please label each question being answered (e.g., Q-1A). Please do not copy questions. Copied questions will not count towards the word count, but will count towards exceeding the maximum length. 

Please include at least three sources from the assigned readings among your references and make sure you incorporate these into your answers through the use of citations and concrete examples. Also, please include at least two additional sources of information from outside the course, and make sure that a least one of these is a peer reviewed journal article.

 Please see this link which contains information on sourcing and identifying peer reviewed journal articles: https://guides.library.oregonstate.edu/c.php?g=285842&p=1906145 

You are encouraged to use additional sources of information among your references and incorporate these into your answers. These can be from the assigned course materials or from outside sources. 

All work must use APA style format for citations and references. See: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_overview_and_workshop.html.

Q-1A. The readings for week 1 cover the various “driving forces” of international environmental politics and policy. Please provide an overview of these driving forces including different interpretations and perspectives of the trends.

Q-1B. While many scientists view the trends of these driving forces as detrimental to the environment (e.g., ozone depletion, climate change, polluted oceans, loss of biodiversity, etc.), other observers have emerged to challenge this pessimistic scenario and have claimed “things are getting better” (e.g. Lomborg). What, in your opinion, is the cause for such different conclusions? What about yourself,  do you believe things are getting better or worse? What evidence would you identify that supports your position? If you believe things are getting worse, is there any hope for planet Earth according to the readings for this week?

Q-2A. The readings for week 2 provide a general perspective on international cooperation in environmental policy. Briefly discuss the dynamics of who participates (e.g., countries) and why they cooperate (i.e., the context or incentives for cooperation).

Q-2B. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (Links to an external site.) sets an overall framework and agreements for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change (e.g. Kyoto Protocol/Treaty). It recognizes that the climate system is a shared resource whose stability can be affected by industrial activities and other sources of emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases:

Read: https://unfccc.int/files/essential_background/background_publications_htmlpdf/application/pdf/conveng.pdf (Links to an external site.)

While treaties take effect in signatory countries such as the members of the European Union and Russia, one of the largest contributors of greenhouse gases in the world, the United States, refuses to sign. Using the readings from week 2, discuss the reason(s) for the lack of participation of some countries (e.g. The United States). What conditions do you think should be present that would promote greater participation?

EU Perspective (search for related issues):

https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/international/negotiations_en (Links to an external site.)

Please read all questions carefully and answer all of them completely. Be sure to provide an adequate explanation and supporting arguments for all of your answers. Don’t forget to back up your arguments with concrete examples from the assigned readings or other sources you may have consulted, and please remember to provide adequate citations for any references used. Your answers must demonstrate that you have read and understood the assigned readings.

You must use APA style citation format for all citations and references, and don’t forget to include a list of references in the appropriate format. If you are unfamiliar with APA formatting.