Jack O'Dwyer
Monday, November 17, 2014
Duncan
Climate Change Agreements and Sovereignty Disputes
Moving forward from the events of the 20th century, the United States and China, historical and contemporary adversaries, have came to bilateral agreement on climate change and carbon emission. Despite peripheral political disagreements between the two countries, they were able to find common ground in the environment, and several other economic agreements as well.
While the environmentalists may have cause for celebration, the Ukraine is still in turmoil as the rebel activity continues in the eastern part of the country, supported by the Russian military1 according to NATO. In the proceeding paragraphs, the concepts of environmental sustainability through the recent US-China climate accord and the concept of state sovereignty through the Russian-Ukraine conflict will be examined as well as the justifications for collective violence between Russia and Ukraine.
In an article written for the New York Times, Mark Landler summarizes the recent climate deal reached by the United States and China2. Although summit meetings are often criticized as being glorified photo-ops for world leaders, this environmental agreement has been hailed as a great success for the world environment, with concrete numbers and dates pledged by the United States and China. For the first time, President Xi Jinping of China has pledged that China will stop its emissions from growing by 2030. President Obama in turn, stated that the United States would emit between 26 and 28 percent less carbon in 2025 than it was emitting in 2005. This agreement was not done in full at the summit, but has actually been in the process of being worked out for the last nine months. While President Obama was facing political troubles with the United States midterm elections, he sent John Podesta, a senior advisor overseeing climate policy, to Beijing to assist in finalizing a deal with the Chinese government2. China pledged that they would begin a more aggressive switch to clean energy sources like windmills and solar power, and these sources would account of 20 percent of China’s total energy output by 20301. Because China and the United States are the world’s top two polluters, without serious climate cooperation between the two countries few other countries would agree to cuts in their own emissions2. While the leaders of China and the United States are able to come to this agreement, Obama still need congressional ratification. Due to the bi-partisan nature of the United States congress, the climate accord can be unraveled if congress votes against it. China, being a one party system, does not face this issue, and as long as the United States does not go back on the agreement, they will not face strong internal political backlash on the agreement.
Air pollution takes center stage in the agreement between China and the United States as the most obvious issue to be solved by this deal. Kelleher and Klein describe air as the “ultimate common” (Page 117) With a reduction in air pollution, a serious impact can be made in the struggle against the continuation of global warming. China specifically states that they will cut back on the reliance on coal power sources, which currently is making up 67 percent of China’s energy sources3. Burning coal releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the air contributing heavily to global warming. While the news of an agreement between president Obama of the United States and China making common cause is reason for celebration, skeptics look to the United State’s congress. Looking back to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol does not inspire confidence in the United States commitment to signed agreements about the environment by their presidents. President Clinton signed the protocol, but congress did not ratify it, and no change was made by the United States. President Obama has signed this agreement too, and now awaits congressional approval,
Related Documents: Climate Change Agreements And Sovereignty Dispute
around the world. There are five values that Hofstede’s has identified: Power Distance; Individualism or Collectivism; Masculinity and Femininity; Uncertainty Avoidance and Short or Long Term Orientation. Each value aids in developing a model to understand an approach and the preparation that should be taken to be effective and successful in its dealings with that particular culture. Hofstede Five Values I have selected two countries using Hofstede cultural dimensions model. China who has…
The world of business is a fast paced environment and an exciting place to be where things are constantly changing. This includes one of the oldest and biggest parts of business, which is ethics. Every country throughout the world has a different perspective on how they handle business ethics and this is not talking about comparing a third world country to a first world country. This includes the top four largest emerging economies in the world, also known as the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and…
Russia and China both built governments centered on being central after casting off the Mongols. Russia imitated the culture and technology of Europe while China became isolated and built upon its own foundations. After 105+ years of rule, the Mongols began to fall. In Russia this led to the Rise of Muscovy, which was a change in power from Kiev to Moscow. After the collapse of Constantinople, Ivan III referred to his empire as "the Third Rome" and considered it heir to the Byzantine tradition. Ivan…
decrease and a decline in human capital especially in Russia. This implies that there would be no customers, leading to loss of fund as a result of the decline in tax revenues. There is also a gap between the older and the newer generation in Russia making it difficult for create a social business norm and to delve deeper into foreign investors especially for private companies since the different population in Russia has different world view of the world. Technological: The industry has lots of competitors…
are countries with disproportionate power and influence so that they have more than the rest of the world and thus are the biggest decision makers. Superpowers are usually large countries in terms of population and physical extent. Physical size may provide a natural resource base that the superpower can thus exploit and draw on to develop their power and influence further. These countries have global influence with the world as their backyards, and other countries treat them with respect in the face…
Revolution in Russia and the Communist Revolution in China led to a prolonged period of misfortune in both regions. This misfortune can be exemplified by famine, mass killings, and censorship, which isolated the common people and restricted their knowledge of the world around them, leading them to blindly follow communistic ideals. The Bolshevik Revolution was based on the ideals of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, as was written in their co-written book Communist Manifesto, The peasantry of Russia was unhappy…
They lived near the pre- Columbian Western Hemisphere, and had no immunity to the Old World diseases. The Europeans brought these diseases and caused a dramatic fall in populations. Columbian exchange A massive native mortality in which created a labor shortage in the Americas. The Columbian Exchange brought slaves including plants and animals to the Americas. This caused the Americas to reshape the world economy and develop a lasting network of communications and trade along the four continents…
World War 1 By Bobby-Jo Parker Was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo the major cause of World War I? The writer believes and acknowledges the importance of this significant event, however would argue that the complex inter-relationship between National, Militarism, Leadership, Imperial rivalry, Colonialism and Alliances was the major cause of World War I. The simmering tensions between the five major powers was already accruing between these nations before 1914. The writer…
Introduction:- Russia is a country located in northern Eurasia bordering the Arctic Ocean between Europe and North Pacific Ocean. Neighboring countries include Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Norway, Poland, and Ukraine. The geography is diverse and includes vast forests and tundra in Siberia and mountains along the southern borders. Major Geographic Features The Russian Federation is the largest of the 21 republics that…
business consultant, there are many interesting facts that describe Russia to be a dangerous and emotional country within business context. Russia’s population 141 million, life expectancy men 62 years, women 74 years, currency Rouble, employment percentage agriculture 5%, industry 33%, services 62%, unemployed 8%. Main exports fuels, metals, machinery and equipment, chemicals. Destinations total percentage Netherlands 12%, Italy 7%, China 5%, and Germany 4%. Main imports machinery and equipment, food…