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This house believes that, when in conflict, global climate change concerns should take precedence over economic development, in rapidly developing countries such as China, India, Brazil, and South Africa.
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Title: CLIMATE CHANGE WILL HARM HEALTH Synopsis: The article presents the potential health harms that climate change would bring. For our purposes, this can show that in the long run investing in climate change will be a better idea for developing countries, as if they develop irresponsibly they will be paying more in health care, etc. In a long term view, sound environmental policies are also sound economic policies. (It is unclear why this writer thinks climate change could help China—he/she does not explain). |
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Title: Economic Development and the Environment: Recognizing Trade-offs Synopsis: This is a very easy student reading. It is about recognizing the tradeoffs between economic development and destruction of the environment. The article begins with a short summary of potential environmentally-linked problems caused by economic improvement. Then the article gives a brief outline of the international cooperation taking place to combat climate change and environmental damage. |
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Title: Climate pact in jeopardy as China refuses to cut carbon emissions Synopsis: At the UN conferences in Bonn, China indicates that is will increase emissions in order to develop its economy. They will not sign up for mandatory cuts. Their foreign minister commented that China wants to develop its economy and raise living standards. He states that some increase in emissions naturally follows. This is a concern for President Obama’s hope to drum up support for the Copenhagen agreement, and leaves UN officials frustrated. |
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Title: The Game of Chicken with China over Global Warming Ends Synopsis: Nina Hachigian, senior fellow at The Center for American Progress, argues that the new administration – and Secretary Clinton’s recent China visit – has signaled an end to American and Chinese posturing over global warming and that a new era of cooperation and real progress is on the horizon. |
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Title: Development vs. the Environment: A River Runs Through It Synopsis: This article brings up a practical example of the balance between environment and development when Uruguay built a paper mill on the river it shares with Argentina. This conflict was exasperated by the fact that the World Bank agreed to help finance the project, while the International Court of Justice rutled that the project violated a bilateral treaty. This example showcases not only the competing rights of development and environmental protection, but that these conflicts can often happen across boarders as well as within them. |
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Title: Clinton: China and India must join Climate Action Source: Associated Press, April 27, 2009 Reading Level: Beginner Synopsis: Hillary Clinton states how important an agreement to combat global warming would need to include the US and developing countries. Clinton believes there is a way to manage a robust and developing economy and greenhouse emissions. |
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Title: South-east Asia Faces Huge Costs from Climate Change Synopsis: A new report predicts that Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam will lose 6.7% of their current economic output by 2100 if carbon emissions continue at current levels. These countries will be more vulnerable to both flooding and drought, which will be especially harmful because their economies are largely agrarian. |
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Title: How Dahanu epitomises the environment vs development debate. Synopsis: This article focuses on one particular environmentally protected area in India called Dahanu; and the costs and benefits of the environmental protection. It begins by exploring the conflict of the area, which started as a land struggle under communist influence, but not necessarily as a major environmental issue. The environmental issue emerged in the late 1980’s with the opposition to a local thermal power plant. They succeeded in gaining environmental protection with the implementation of the Dahanu notification, and there have been noticeable economic and developmental consequences. The article expands on several of the local conflicts which have been resolved under the notification, as well as the specific struggles of the different primary resource industries: fishing, forests, and orchards. Though the environment for these industries remains protected and productive, much of the new generation look for opportunities elsewhere in the consumerist world; and local fishers and farmers struggle with development in their communities. |
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Title: Mira Kamdar: The People's Car Synopsis: This short and easy-to-read article pinpoints a major concern about developing nations and the global warming crisis. As countries like India and China grow their economies, and increase the size of their middle class, more and more Indians will be purchasing automobiles. This translates into a possible exponential increase in carbon emissions globally over the next few decades. This particular article discusses an Indian company’s idea to build an market a $2,200 USD car to its middle class. The Nano, from Indian’s Tata motors, will purportedly increase India’s automobile traffic – and the resulting emissions – by 14 million cars…. |
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Title: Tough Climate Change would Benefit China Synopsis: If China dedicates to an international standard on low carbon emissions, the depth and diversity of these economic development opportunities is enormous. China can create millions of urban, high-tech jobs in the manufacture and installation of these new technologies. If China becomes more restrictive on their carbon emissions, it has the potential of establishing a new type of economy. It is possible to legislate for global climate change and help the economy. |
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Title: Climate change not caused by humans Synopsis: This is a simple little article describing how Emeritus Professor Lance Endersbee challenged the scientific community (the IPCC report) on the claim that global warming is caused by humans. He admits that pollution and smog can cause health problems, but that they should be dealt with on a local level rather than assuming that global pollution is the cause of global warming. He claims that the IPCC report reflects missunderstanding of the dynamic relations of the earth, sun, and cosmos; and that it is highly probable that global warming is caused by increased electromagnetic radiation of the sun. ps. This can be used for either KPDC motion. It even mentions carbon credits. |
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Title: Brazil to sanction illegal colonization in 230,000 sq mi of Amazon rainforest Synopsis: If the bill HB 258 is passed in Brazil with the signature of the President, it would be a large step backward for environmental protections of the Amazon rainforest. The bill would allow illegally deforested land in the Amazon to be claimed legally by the landholders. |
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Title: World Bank Approves US$1.3 billion to Support Brazil’s Environmental and Climate Change Agenda Synopsis: Synopsis: Brazil’s achievements in integrating development and conservation policies and programs are reviewed. The World Bank approves a loan to Brazil who has implemented a variety of policies which address sustainable development without loss to biodiversity. The program “supports Brazil’s commitment to better environmental and poverty outcomes while implementing a model of accelerated competitiveness and growth.” Some descriptions of specific projects directed at the rainforest and water quality are provided. |
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Title: Pelosi says that Human Rights Stressed During China Visit Synopsis: The Obama administration and Congress want China to do more to help reduce global warming by reducing carbon emissions. However, Pelosi has been criticized by some human rights activists and organizations who say she could have done more during the delegation's visit to highlight human rights problems in China. Speaking with reporters, she reiterated that the main objective of the trip was to talk with Chinese government and private sector leaders about climate change and how the U.S. and China can increase cooperation. |
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Title: For China: US talks on Climate, Issues old and new Synopsis: The Obama administration has pledged to be a leader in the talks that culminate in December in Copenhagen, although it is far from clear that Congress has the will to approve emissions targets and furnish enough aid to developing countries to satisfy the Europeans, Chinese, Indians, Brazilians and other major players. The Chinese have begun to consider a series of unilateral actions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, Beijing insists it will not sacrifice China’s economy to meet the demands of outsiders. |
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Title: Can China go Green? Synopsis: The article describes many projects and technological developments which China has undertaken to become more “green”. In this pursuit, China has become a dominant force in this field threatening other countries race to capture the economic benefits of this technology. Several specific projects and technologies are discussed however, the economic dynamics of China’s export market have lead to financial concerns. Certain standards have been “loosened” to deal with the situation. It is predicted that environmental protections will assume a lower in priority than economic concerns. |
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Title: Adaptation to climate change in the developing world Synopsis: This abstract explores the nature of risk and vulnerability in the context of climate change. It presents the elements of vulnerability in developing countries and their uncertain of impact the climate change impose on them and their characteristics. |
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Title: China’s Increasing Carbon Emissions Blamed on Manufacturing for the West. Source: The Guardian Reading Level: Intermediate Synopsis: This article explains that a lot of the carbon emissions coming from China are caused because of China’s export market to developing countries such as the U.S. and the U.K. People quoted in this article argue that there is a consumer responsibility in developed countries to buy from countries that are committed to clean development. The article also does a good job explaining the status quo and how much damage China is doing to the environment. |
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Title: The Causes of Climate Change Synopsis: This report analyzes the main causes of the global warming of the 20th century. It finds that greenhouse gases emitted by human activity are the main culprit for climate change. |
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Title: Delicate balance Synopsis: A short article, from an editorial questioning China’s praised environmental policies. The article argues that, the China’s policy may not have been successful in itself, certain tricks making it very efficient: like moving air monitors from polluted areas to cleaner ones. Another point would be that China is very unresponsive to Western critique. |
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Title: Climate Change Mitigation in Developing Countries: Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey (forward and executive summary only) Synopsis: This report documents efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in six developing countries, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey. These countries have many reasons (including economic growth, energy security and air quality) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions growth. However, there are also barriers to climate mitigation (including the absence of transparency and lack of data.) |
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Title: No Reason to Wait Synopsis: This article analyzes the cause of global climate changes and also points out obstacles to the improvement of the situation. It presents some conventions and treaties that have set targets for the reduction of carbon emissions, mentions Brazil’s measures to take responsibility in climate change, and finally calls on both developed and leading developing countries to take immediate action. |
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Title: Brazil & climate change: a country profile Synopsis: A country profile describing Brazil’s vulnerability to climate change, the profile of its emissions and some governmental actions taken to prevent climate change. |
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Title: Kerry says Clock Ticking on Climate Change Deal Synopsis: John Kerry speaks about the importance of the U.S. dedicating to reducing carbon emissions. By signing the treaty in Copenhagen, Denmark later this year, the U.S. will set an important example for other polluting nations such as China and India to follow. The strength of the U.S. domestic policy will be a critical factor in galvanizing the world to enter into a global agreement on climate change. |
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Title : Cutting Energy Waste in China, India, Brazil Could Avert Climate Change Synopsis: This article shows various ways of emissions reductions that can be used in rapidly developing countries. It provides us with examples of successful projects (geothermal pumps, solar energy...). It sums up views of the World Bank energy specialist Robert Taylor, who advocates change in the energy policy in China, India and Brazil. The author also argues that introducing new technologies will pay off in the long run. |
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Title: An Inconvenient Truth for the GOP Synopsis: Despite worries of the effect that climate change legislation will have on the middle class and US industry, the US must join China and the rest of the world in fulfilling the climate change promise. The US can’t afford to wait for other countries to make these changes before we do. |
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Title: China to Pass U.S. in 2009 in Emissions Synopsis: This article gives an excellent review on China’s position regarding the issue of global warming, climate changes and policies that the countries are not/introducing. The article also talks about the position of the USA, India and also about other relevant institutions and responsible people from those institutions from different countries and their way of perception to the current situation. Also a part from the debate about the Kyoto protocol is presented, and it is discussed about the standards that countries have to implement. |
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Title: The Case for a Climate Protection Authority Climate Change, Energy Security, Environment, U.S. Congress Synopsis: This article addresses how President Obama and the US congress need to make the move to lead in global climate change by adopting the Global Protection Authority. The Global Protection Authority and the arguments to support the new agency are outlined in the article. This protection agency would first decide that future climate and energy agreements are to be approved by the US by statute. Second, Congress should spell out in cap-and-trade legislation the conditions necessary for U.S. participation in new agreements. Third, cap-and-trade legislation should pre-approve new climate and energy agreements that meet the preconditions. |
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Title: Processes and Consequences in Business Ethical Dilemmas: The Oil Industry and Climate Change Source: Journal of Business Ethics Vol. 41, no. 3 Synopsis: This article looks at the conflict of climate change and profit from the point of view of a business ethical dilemma. The first section introduces the philosophical tradeoffs between processes and consequences in business, the difficulty of comparing qualitative process to quantitative consequence, and specifically relating it to the conflict of the oil company of gaining profit at the cost of producing harmful environmental gasses. It discusses the simple dilemma of whether or not the ends justify the means; which is the heart of this debate topic. The next three sections look more specifically at the history of the international community’s efforts to establish binding regulations on the emission of greenhouse gasses and specific strategies taken by oil companies. In particular, the article looks at the consequential approach of Exxon Mobil. They moved from denying global warming, to denying human contribution to it, to denying that regulations will help without the inclusion of the developing world, and finally criticizing the methods of the regulation of the industry. All of this was in an effort to solve the dilemma in favor of profitable consequences. BP Amoco, on the other hand went with a procedural focus, and has spoken in favor of investment into alternative energies, and curbing the negative effects of carbon emissions. Interest groups lead the public in questioning whether either of them acts in good will, and heavily criticize both of these approaches. The final section makes some broad suggestions on how to rectify the dilemma by encouraging the positive consequences to be a result of more responsible process. |
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Title: A NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE STRATEGY FOR SOUTH AFRICA Source: DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM Reading level: Advanced Synopsis: This report gives a brief historical overview of the climate change fight beginning with the 1988 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change and ending with the Kyoto Protocol. The report covers a series of measures that South Africa could use a tool against climate change. These measures range from education to mitigation and international relations. |
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Title: BRAZIL, ALARMED, RECONSIDERS POLICY ON CLIMATE CHANGE Synopsis: This article examines how the Brazilian government is reevaluating the old stances it took on climate change and environmental protection. While da Silva was mostly skeptical about international discussions regarding Brazil’s environmental protection (or lack thereof) and blamed the Northern hemisphere for climate change problems, now he is attempting to open conversation with his international counterparts as his people become more concerned about climate change. This is a good example of a developing country that is choosing to be more cautious about its development. |
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Title: Technical Papers: AGRICULTURAL AND HUMAN HEALTH IMPACTS OF Synopsis: China seems to try to reduce poverty through economic growth, and this of course will have an impact on how the country tackled climate change. The OECD report argues that there is enough rooms for economic growth to happen in the context of reduced emissions. What is more, the health effects from reducing climate change are considerable and they may bring higher returns in the future than an exponential economic growth with high rates of carbon emissions. |
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Title: Brazil’s Interests and Negotiating Positions Synopsis: This article describes Brazil’s role in the negotiations of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Brazil has a large stake in the climate change issue because some of its national economic, social, and security interests are contingent on the growth of its energy sector and development of the Amazon region. This section describes Brazil’s interests and negotiating positions with respect to three key issues: (a) emissions-reduction responsibilities; (b) protocol mechanisms; and (c) land-use change and forestry. |
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Title: The Future of Carbon Trading in South Africa Synopsis: Currently developed nations participate in carbon emission reductions through the Kyoto Protocol Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) which allows them to invest in projects in developing nations. South Africa has been slow to participate in these projects (25 compared to 581 Asian projects). Although South Africa is ranked as a high carbon emitter, it could benefit both economically and environmentally from this involvement. While in developed nations carbon has become a commodity with a value established through a capping emission system which allows for trading, in South American this commodity does not yet have such a value. A very complex explanation is offered why there is a lack of sufficient infrastructure for developing carbon trading and how CDM projects are involved and assist in dealing with in addressing this issue. |
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Title: Climate Catastrophe Beckons Unless the World Agrees on Pollution Cuts. Synopsis: Unless there is a global effort to combat global warming, there will be serious consequences throughout the globe. The European Union, US and many other countries have promised to cut their carbon emissions in the upcoming years. |
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Title: Designing Climate Mitigation Policy Source: National Bureau of Economic Research Reading Level: Advanced Synopsis: Carbon emissions have growth dramatically over the last century and this growth will likely continue, driven especially by increased emissions from currently non-industrial countries. Two commonly discussed targets, limiting atmospheric CO2 concentrations to 450 or 550 parts per million, limiting global warming to about 1.5 degrees Celsius or 2.5 degrees Celsius, respectively, have very different implications for the projected costs of ramping down carbon emissions. Assuming the costs of various scenarios were well established, to make complete estimates of the costs of emissions, it is necessary to decide how to compare costs that will occur in near future against costs that will be incurred in hundreds of years. This is not only an economic, but also an ethical concern. In reality there is a great deal of uncertainty about costs, particularly because of the possible (though small probability) chance of warming on the order of 20 degrees Celsius. Even ignoring the possibility of catastrophes, predictions about crop performance under global warming are uncertain. While traditional cap-and-trade systems have provided allowances for free to industry, auctioning allowances may raise the same amount of money as direct taxation. However, taxes and cap-and-trade systems may produce different results in the presence of uncertainty, where taxes are the favored system. To make cap-and-trade systems more flexible to deal with uncertainty, it would be helpful to allow firms to “bank” permits when prices are low. The main advantage of cap-and-trade systems is that they are more politically attractive. A subscription is required to view this article. Please check with your local library to see if they have a subscription through which you can access it |
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Title: TECHNOLOGY IS THE ANSWER TO CLIMATE CHANGE Synopsis: This article shows the recent developments in dialogue between developed countries and developing countries over the climate change issue. Notably, India has requested the developed world to pay compensation for climate change. This article also shows that carbon caps or taxing will be ineffectual, and suggests that clean technology should be the way to go. |
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Title: TECHNOLOGY IS THE ANSWER TO CLIMATE CHANGE Synopsis: : This article shows the recent developments in dialogue between developed countries and developing countries over the climate change issue. Notably, India has requested the developed world to pay compensation for climate change. This article also shows that carbon caps or taxing will be ineffectual, and suggests that clean technology should be the way to go. |
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Title: Global Warming and India Synopsis: This is an excellent article that explains the need of the G8 to discuss the issue of global warming and the role of the “developing” countries. It also gives the position of China and India in their negotiations on weather and to what extend their participation on this issue should be. It gives their arguments and the opinion of the USA towards this issue. |
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Title: TECHNOLOGY IS THE ANSWER TO CLIMATE CHANGE Synopsis: This article shows the recent developments in dialogue between developed countries and developing countries over the climate change issue. Notably, India has requested the developed world to pay compensation for climate change. This article also shows that carbon caps or taxing will be ineffectual, and suggests that clean technology should be the way to go. |
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Title: The China Syndrome and the Environmental Kuznets Curve Synopsis: This article aims to test the Environmental Kuznets Curve on China. The EKC was developed by economist Simon Kuznets and seems to suggest that in the first stages of economic development environmental damage will increase. As GDP/capita grows and reaches a certain level of wealth, environmental improvements will begin to be the norm automatically. The article gives empirical data that seems to suggest that environmental harm has started to increase at a slower pace than economic development. The data also shows that starting in 1992, air quality has started to improve on a year-to-year basis despite China’s economic boom. |
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Title: Economic Crisis Complicates California's Goals on Climate Synopsis: This article addresses the implications of enacting climate change efforts. There are many challenges in this economic climate that make any climate change legislation difficult to implement. Global climate change legislation has the potential of limiting the economic sustainability and development in other states and countries from this example. California was one of the first states to enact legislation to tackle global warming, but the state is also providing a lesson in how contentious carrying out such a law can be, especially at a time of economic crisis. |
