Environment and Global Politics

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International Politics

Prof. Aleksius Jemadu, Ph.D.

November 2010, Odd Semester/3

THE ENVIRONMENT AND GLOBAL POLITICS

For at least the last twenty years, environmental issues have been sipping through the niches

of international politics. While the issues of economics and military power are somehow still

the reigning kings of the international politics, environment finds itself in an emerging status.

Environmental issues create a harsher tension between the strong and the weak, creating a

serious global problem experienced by practically all nations, and the impacts are felt by not

only the weaker of the fight, but also the strongest.

This paper will show you why environment while in many ways still considered as a

minor problem is actually very important for international politics. To show you everything,

we will dive into the background, what the big and small players do, theoretical concepts

applicable, the issues themselves, and the international regimes in global environment. The

paper itself will be divided into several sections of shorter writings dedicated on special parts

of the paper. All the contributors to the specific sections will be noted.

Since this is a paper on International Politics, we will not deal a lot on natural science

issues on the environment. We will not talk a lot about causes of global warming, what is

ozone depletion, or how did the El Nio and La Nia happen. We will talk more on the social

science issues, especially from political, economical, and historical perspectives on the

environment.

This main content of this paper will be divided into several major parts, namely five

major parts:

Environment and the political science of the global arena: actors, theories andapplications

International regimes of the environment: discussing IOs, NGOs, treaties andagreements on the environment

Indonesia and the environment: problems and how to solve problems the Indonesianway

Cases and problems: how environmental cases shape global politics The future of international politics of the environment and the problems in years to

come


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All the discussions will be preceded by a short introduction that will lead you into a

more elaborate discussion on the theme environment and global politics.

The World Becomes Less Greener: an Introduction1

An environmental issue is often mentioned as a green issue, thus the world today is said to

be less green. Many countries are struggling with this environmental issue: from floods to

forest burning, from heavy air pollution to possibility of nuclear meltdown. The problem is

apparent today, yet many countries prefer to do nothing instead of something. This is where

the politics comes in: how states bargain to solve or not to solve our common problem

of global environment.

The historical perspective of environmental problems and 'The State of the Environment'

To trace when the first environmental problem occurred in history is quite hard, since it was

hard back at the older times, to have a methodological measurement of environmental

problem. Unlike now, when human being can measure the level of CO2 emissions, the level

of temperature increase on year-by-year basis, or the increase of sea level due to ice melting;

it was impossible, say, a hundred years ago or more.

However, let us put a limit on the discussion. There are so many environmental

problems, yet we will try to address those problems that are anthropogenic, or human-caused.

It is hard to say that most of the current environmental problems are not human-caused (other

than, say, earthquakes or volcano eruptions). Most if not all air pollutions are clearly

human-caused (transportation, industries, etc.). And really, that is not all.

After we settle the deal that we are going to talk about anthropogenic environmental

issues, we can draw a line on the beginning of such issues. I believe that the Industrial

Revolution of the 18th-19th centuries as the beginning of the environmental problems and

ironically the great leap in economic growth of the world.

In short, Industrial Revolution can be described in two sentences2: it changed the way

we produced goods, and it changed the society from an agricultural to an industrial society.

And it is true. Industrial Revolution gave birth to more and more factories and machinery-

based industries (rather than human-based); thus the importance of capital became more

prominent compared to the value of human in terms of media of production on years before.

1

This section is written by Matthew Hanzel.2Industrial Revolution: Its Affects and Consequences. (n.d.). Retrieved October 31, 2010, from Michigan State

University: https://www.msu.edu/user/brownlow/indrev.htm


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The creation of more factories created more pollution through emissions of more and

more carbon as resulted by burning process more than before, added with further

depletion of natural resources caused by consumerism due to the ease of production3. The

below chart may give you the impression on how carbon emissions had multiplied ever since

the Industrial Revolution.

Graph 1: Total Global Carbon Emission, 1760-2000 (in million metric tons of Carbon)4

Since then, the emergence of industries, followed by the rise of fossil fuel-based

transportation creates more air pollution, again, due to the emission of carbon (especially

carbon dioxide) excessively. The above graph may show us how the global carbon emission

in 200 years has multiplied more than 2,000 times!

However, the staggering number of carbon emission above is not solely caused by

transportation and industries; however made worse by other factors. One is the carbon

emission caused by nuclear energy (as included on the above graph); and two, is due to

deforestation. Deforestation is a major problem today, since major deforestations currently

happening in countries with large areas of forest (typically tropical rainforest). Look at the

examples of Brazil (the Amazonian rainforest) and Indonesia (the Indonesian rainforest)5.

3Ibid.

4Counted in a 20-year basis (although the data is on a yearly basis from 1751-2007). Source: Carbon Dioxide

Information Analysis Center. (n.d.). Global Carbon Emissions. Retrieved October 31, 2010, from Carbon

Dioxide Information Analysis Center: http://cdiac.ornl.gov/ftp/ndp030/CSV-FILES/.5The Economist. (2010, October 28). Banyan: Where There's Smoke. Retrieved November 1, 2010, from The

Economist: http://www.economist.com/node/17361464?story_id=17361464

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

1760 1800 1840 1880 1920 1960 2000

Total Carbon Emission, 1760-2000

Total Carbon Emission


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Why does deforestation important? Let me highlight two things: [1] Biological

reasons. As most of us know from K-12 natural science classes, plants as those in the forests

are natural 'recycler' for CO2 to become O2 (oxygen), by which CO2 is important for plant

for their photosynthesis process; and O2 is important for as human being for respiration

process. Had the number of plants decrease time by time, there will be less 'recyclers' of CO2,

which will create imbalances between our excessive emission of carbon dioxide and the

number of 'recyclers' we need to make things better. [2] Some forces of deforestation create

direct problems to many other countries. As we will discuss later in the following sections,

one major cause of deforestation is forest fires (which mostly deliberate/anthropogenic). Let

us see the example of Indonesian forest fire, which gives direct effect (i.e. smoke) to

neighboring countries like Malaysia and Singapore6. It has become an international issue, i.e.

no longer an isolated, national problem of Indonesia.

Now, it is scientifically believed that the excessive carbon emissions due to industries,

transportations, fossil fuel burnings, and related pollutions have led the World into a period of

serious environmental problem. Although serious, air pollution is only one of the problems

and really the biggest and most considered problem among many others. Why? Air

pollution lies on the crossroads between many environmental issues. Let me point out some

here.

Greenhouse effect. Greenhouse effect is highly related to the issue of 'globalwarming'7. The emission of CO2 and many other so-called 'greenhouse gases' created

some sort of 'greenhouse' that prevents sun rays in the form of waves of ultraviolet to

not bounced back out of the atmosphere, but re-bounced back to the Earth, creating

serious increase in temperature.

The general increase of average global temperature creates the problem of globalwarming.

The global warming creates many other problems, such as the melting of permanentice on both poles of the World, causing increases in sea levels around the World; and

leading to severe floods around the world (such in Pakistan).Not only problems with air, there are problems that are so immense they capture the

attention of the whole World, albeit its small area of effect. Do not forget extraordinary cases

6

The Economist, op. cit.7National Geographic. (n.d.). Causes of Global Warming. Retrieved November 1, 2010, from National

Geographic: http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-causes


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such as the oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico (2010)8, or the one that is closest to us, the

mudflow disaster at Sidoarjo, East Java9.And the above list is merely some of many other environmental problems faced by our

contemporary world. It will be a very exhaustive list to sum up all the environmental

problems that we are facing today. We are still looking for the best and most plausible

solution to tackle all the issues. The question is now, why is it so important to even consider

the problem of environment why dont we just leave it alone?

Feeling the niche of environmental issue in the international politics

Why environment becomes a major part in international politics, especially in the 21 st

century? The answer lies on mainly two reasons:

In the 21st century, the issue of environment is closely related to development.Allow me to quote a passage from the World Development Report 2010:

Development and Climate Change:

Development goals are threatened by climate change, with the

heaviest impacts on poor countries and poor people. Climatechange cannot be controlled unless growth in both rich and poorcountries becomes less greenhouse-gas-intensive. We must act now:country development decisions lock the world into a particular carbonintensity and determine future warming. Business-as-usual could leadto temperature increases of 5C or more this century. And we must acttogether: postponing mitigation in developing countries could doublemitigation costs, and that could well happen unless substantialfinancing is mobilized. But if we act now and act together, theincremental costs of keeping warming around 2C are modest and can

be justified given the likely dangers of greater climate change10.

To sum up, environmental issue (in this context, climate change) is closely related

to development, and the other way around. We will see in further elaboration howdeveloping countries are the most impacted victims of climate change issue.

Environmental issue, on the other hand, is a large battlefield between countriesaround the world. The battle occurs between mainly the industrialized countries

that establish many factories and machinery-based industries, and the developing

countries that become the victims of the result of excessive climate change caused

8Joel K. Bourne, J. (2010, October). The Deep Dilemma.National Geographic , 54.

9Marshall, A. (2008, January). Drowning in Mud. Retrieved November 1, 2010, from National Geographic:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/01/volcano-culture/drowning-in-mud-text10The World Bank. (2010). World Development Report 2010: Development and Climate Change. Washington,

D.C., United States of America: The World Bank.


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by industrialization. We can summarize this point into the phrase politicization

and economization of environmental issues, which will be seen under the

explanations below.

Figure 1: The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali (2007), one of the

'battlefields' of environmental issues in global politics

Since this is nothing more than an introductory section, no detailed elaboration will

be made. However, the introduction here should be adequate to lead you to deeper and further

discussion on how significant the environment in shaping the global politics.

***

Environment and the Political Science of the Global Arena:

Actors, Theories and Applications11

Before we enter a more detailed and thorough explanations on environment and global

politics, let us see three things that will define the influence of environment in global politics:

the actors, the international relations theories and its applications. Let us see one by one.

Actors: parties to the conflict

Environment is a real battlefield for interests, since there are so numerous parties involved

sometimes the line of fire is hard to determine. It is hard also to determine which parties

confront which other parties, often to draw it in the form of a matrix is the best form of

description.

11This section is written by Matthew Hanzel.


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In short, these are the actors on the conflicts over the environment in the international

politics:

What? Who? Why? How?

Industrialized

Countries

(i.e. Developed

Countries)

Most industrialized

countries, i.e.

developed countries

that have built some of

the largest industries of

the world are the

greatest emitters of

carbon. They do have

the interest of

protecting the industries

and putting less

precautionary measures

against excessive

carbon emissions.

In creations of agreement for

environmental issues, often

these countries are the

hardest to comprehend,

hardest to convince, and

hardest to compel. They will,

at the best they can do, to

protect their industrialized

economy by putting less

measures to prevent more

carbon emissions12.

STATE

ACTORS

Less-Industrialized

Countries

(i.e. Developing

Countries)

Developing countries

are poorer in terms of

economy, and often the

harshest victims in

conflicts over

environmental issues13.

They are the most vocal

parties in agreements relating

to environmental issues. For

example, see how developing

countries are waiting for

countries like the US to sign

the Bali Roadmap at the

UNFCCC Bali 200714.

NON-

STATE

ACTORSInternational

Organizations

(e.g. the United

Nations15)

Among all the non-state

actors, International

Organizations such as

the UN are among the

One of the ways is through

the creation of the United

Nations Framework

Conference on Climate12

Seputar Indonesia. (2007, December 15). SBY dan Detik-detik Menegangkan di UNFCCC. RetrievedNovember 1, 2010, from Okezone.com: http://news.okezone.com/read/2007/12/15/1/68480/sby-dan-detik-detik-

menegangkan-di-unfccc13

The World Bank, op. cit.14

Seputar Indonesia, op. cit.15Thatcher, P. S. (1992). The Role of the United Nations. In A. Hurrell, & B. Kingsbury (Eds.), The

International Politics of the Environment. Oxford, United Kingdom: Clarendon Press.


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biggest in terms of

scope of work. Their

capability to approach

practically all states of

the world make them

strategic enough to

push agendas of

environmental issues.

Change (UNFCCC) which

creates roadmaps for further

development of the

environment through the

agreed proposition made in

each particular conference16.

Nongovernmental

Organizations

(e.g. Greenpeace)

Some of these

organizations are the

most active, most vocal

and the most seen in

terms of tackling

environmental issues.

Greenpeace is one such

example17.

While many organizations

work through civil societies

(campaigns, fundraisings);

some of the organizations,

like Greenpeace, acts more

than what other organizations

do. Look at, for example, the

case of Rainbow Warriors.

Agreements and

Frameworks

(e.g. Kyoto Protocol)

Countries, throughout

the years, have donemany agreements in

order to find solution

for a better

environment. Kyoto

Protocol is one such

example18.

Again, in such process of

reaching a consensus

between the parties, bargains

are everywhere. As usual,

industrialized countries are

hard to compel, while the

developing countries are

trying hard to press the

agenda.

Applicable theory

I believe that we can apply the class system theory19 on the discussion of environment in the

international politics. This theory believes upon the role of the states as very important in

dealing with economic matters, as far as creation of the international class structure, that is

16Ibid.

17Mintzberg, H., & Westley, F. (2000). Sustaining the Institutional Environment. Retrieved November 1, 2010,

from Bnet: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4339/is_2000_Annual/ai_63543389/18

Baylis, J., & Smith, S. (2005). The Globalization of World Politics. New York City, New York, United Statesof America: Oxford University Press, Inc.,pp. 470-47119

Otherwise known as the world system theory.


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the domination of the advanced industrialized countries over the poorer (developing)

countries20. One of the most apparent characteristics of this theory is the idea of inequalities.

Some of the examples of the inequalities can be seen under the statements below:

Indicators of World Inequality

One-fifth of the Worlds population are living in extreme poverty. Average incomes in the richest 20 countries are 37 times higher than in the poorest 20

the ratio has doubled in the last 20 years.

In the developed world subsidies to agricultural producers aresix times higher thanoverseas development aid.

Tariffs on manufactured goods from the developing world arefour times higher thanthose on manufactured goods from other OECD countries.

70% of the Worlds poor and two-thirds of the Worlds illiterates are women. In 34 countries in the World life expectancy is now lower than it was in 1990. More than 30,000 children die everyday from easily preventable diseases. In Africa only one child in three completes primary education. In Sub-Saharan Africa a woman is 100% more likely to die in childbirth than women

in high-income OECD countries.

One billion people lack access to clean water. African countries pay out US$40 million every day on debt repayment.

Box 1: Indicators of World Inequality21

The most prominent figure of the theory is Immanuel Wallerstein22. Wallerstein

believes that the modern world system is an example of a world-economy. He believes in the

presence of the market as a medium of resource distribution, as the mechanism of transfer of

resources from the periphery to the core23.

The concept of core and periphery is highly derived from ideas of Leninism and

Marxism. In Marxs book Capitalin 1967, Marx believed that the Capitalism had entered

the highest and final stage of monopoly capitalism, in which a two-tiered structure of

economy had developed within the structure of the world-economy: a dominant core and a

less-dominant periphery. The core is the manufacturing regions which able to use its power

20Baylis, J., & Smith, S., op. cit.

21Ibid., World Bank, United Nations Development Programme, Jubilee Research.

22Immanuel Wallerstein was born in 1930, and graduated from Columbia University in 1951 and completing his

PhD in 1959. Wallerstein is the pioneer of world-systems theory, which is based in part on radical dependency

theories of underdevelopment in the 1950s. Griffiths, M. (1999).Fifty Key Thinkers in International Relations.New York City, New York, United States of America: Routledge.23

Baylis, J., & Smith, S., op. cit.


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(derived from wealth) to concentrate surplus from the periphery; the periphery is the

extraction regions that is exploited24.

Wallerstein later added the concept of semi-periphery25. According to Wallerstein,

the semi-peripheral zone has an intermediate role within the world-system displaying certain

features characteristic of the core and others characteristic of the periphery.

The interrelationships between the core, semi-periphery, and the periphery can later be

simplified into the below cycle:

Figure 2: The Interrelationships in the Global Economy26

Why I believe this theory to be the most appropriate? The one single reason to show

how this theory is appropriate is the politicization and the economization of environmental

issues. When actually environment is a matter of life preservation, i.e. how to preserve the

24Goldstein, J. S., & Pevehouse, J. C. (2009).International Relations, Eight Edition: 2008-2009 Update. Upper

Saddle River, New Jersey, United States of America: Pearson Higher Education.25Baylis, J., & Smith, S., op. cit.

26Ibid.

CORE

Democratic governments High wages Import raw materials Export manufactures High level of investments Welfare services

PERIPHERY

Non-democraticgovernments

Export: raw materials Import: manufactures Below subsistence wagesNo welfare services

SEMI-PERIPHERY

Authoritarian governments Export: 'mature'

manufactures; raw materials

Import: manufactures, rawmaterials

Low wages Low welfare services


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environmental condition for the better future, today environmental issues is the battlefield

of the rich and the poor, the cores and the peripheries. In this sense, there is the more

impression of tug-of-war between the industrialized countries and the less-industrialized

countries in negotiating on the environmental issues.

And the cores and peripheries presence in the world-system is actually apparent.

There are the democracy-embracing states that are considerably more developed, and as the

scheme above describes, it cares of the labor with high wages, it imports raw materials and

exports manufactures; while the peripheries do the contrary. It is true at best, and that is why

the description provided by this theory is the best in describing environmental issue in the

global politics.

The applicability of the theory

Now the question is: how to apply the above theory into the real situation of the

environmental issues? The answer lies on the tensions itself: the tensions between the

industrialized countries (borrowing the above term: the cores) and the less-developed

countries/non-industrialized countries (borrowing the above term: the peripheries). The

below statistics may give us the impression how his has became the conflict between the two

groups.

One of the most apparent parameter of comparing the industrialized and less-

industrialized countries is CO2 emissions. Industrialized countries have more emissions by

multiplication compared to less-industrialized countries. We can see the huge differences

from the graph below:


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Graph 2: Level of Carbon Emissions by Fuel Combustion in 2007 (in million of tons)27

While the industrialized countries need to defend the industries28 (because of the

economical value of the industries), non-industrialized countries are considered victims. The

non-industrialized countries (or the peripheries and the semi-peripheries) are victims of the

impact of climate change as result of the damaged environment. The process can be seen

under the simplified diagram below:

27It is interesting that although countries like Australia, Finland, Japan, Korea Republic, China, and United

States are industrialized countries (most of the left-hand side of the graph), apparently only four countriesachieved the above 1,000 mark; and these countries rely heavily on manufacturing (e.g. Japan manufactures cars

and electronic products, the US manufactures cars and other manufacturing industries, China practicallyproduces anything); and the other developed/industrialized countries with lower carbon emissions rely also on

the prominence of service. Data: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2010). OECDFactbook 2010. Paris, France: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.28

See how the United States was initially very reluctant to sign the Bali Roadmap in 2007.

396 573 64 369 7981236

489

6028 5769

1324

377 71 346 3470

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

Level of Carbon Emissions by Fuel

Combustion, 2007

Carbon Emissions


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Figure 3: The process of how environmental destructions lead to negative impacts

especially for developing countries.

We can also see that the politicization of the environmental issues in the global

politics actually gives the sense why environment is no longer merely filling the niche of

international politics, but has been a major issue in international politics in the last few

decades. There are at least five senses why the environment is now a global politicized issue

(Baylis & Smith, 2005):

Some of the problems are inherently global, such as the release of CFCs.Some of the problems relate to the exploitation of global commons, such as the

oceans, atmosphere, etc.

Many environmental problems are intrinsically transnational, i.e. cross stateboundaries. The forest fire of Indonesia, which causes problems with Malaysia,

Singapore and other countries, is one such example.

Heavyin

dustrialization Large number of

carbon emissionscaused by industriesin the 'core' countriescontribute to the

increase of theamount of the'greenhousegases' (GHGs).

G

lobalwarming As the GHGs create

the greenhouse effect,there is the increase ofglobal temperature inthe whole world,

causing the 'globalwarming'

phenomenon.

Effects The global warming

creates further issuesthat especially affectthe semi-peripheriesand the peripheries.

The problems such as: Flood due to the

increase of sea level(caused by themelting of polar icedue to globalwarming) or due tothe alteration ofglobal climate (e.g.the prolonged timeof phenomenons El

Nio and La Nia orheavy monsoon(e.g. Pakistan in2010)

Forest fires (e.g. inRussia in 2010)

Harvest failures,destructions in theagriculture sector


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Many processes of over-exploitation or environmental degradation are actuallylocal, yet experienced by many localities that it can be considered as global

problem.

The process of over-exploitation and environmental degradation leads to broaderpolitical and socio-economic process, thus it is widely recognized that the causes

of most environmental problems are closely related to the generation and

distribution of wealth, knowledge, and power, and to patterns of energy

consumption, industrialization, population growth, affluence, and poverty

(which actually confirms the application of the world-system theory in relation to

the environmental issues).

***

The International Regime of the Environment:

Does it even exist?29

Unlike many other factors in international politics, the environment seems does not have any

international regime(s) that clearly put a certain foundation on dealing with issues, problems,

relations, and conflicts related to the field. For example, when the humanitarian field has the

regime of the Hague and Geneva; the monetary field has the World Bank and the IMF; no

clear regime on the environment. However, we can try to elaborate some of the institutions

and agreements that may come very close to the presence of regime in the environment field.

The United Nations, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Environment

Millennium Development Goals (or commonly abbreviated as the MDGs) are eight goals that

sought to be achieved by 2015. This is a challenge for the countries that participate in them in

achieving development worldwide. All United Nations member states and at least 23

international organizations gathered together in 2001 in a summit, called the Millennium

Summit, to approve the goals of the world's development challenges.

During the summit it was noted that more than a billion people in the world still in

acute poverty and suffer grossly due to inadequate resources and insufficient services such as

education and health. The MDGs aim to spur development by improving social and economic

conditions in the world poorest countries.

29This section is written by Priscilla Elizabeth.


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The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) established a unifying set of

developmental objectives for the global community. Bringing together United Nations

agencies, governments and civil society around eight key development issues, the MDGs

foster collaborative action to reduce poverty, improve health and address educational and

environmental concerns around the worlds most pressing development problems. The

MDGs are specifically designed to address the needs of the worlds poorest citizens and the

worlds most marginalized populations.

Figure 4: The eight goals of the Millenium Development Goals

Environment is one crucial element of development. Environmental management is

the field of study, which includes the protection, conservation and sustainable use of various

elements or components of the environment. Environment includes physical factors of

surroundings of human beings including air, land, water, climate sound light, odor taste,

micro organisms, biological factors of animals and plants, cultural resources and the socio-

economic factors of aesthetics and include both the natural and built environment and the waythe interact.

The MDGs are strategically located in its relations to environmental issues: it creates

the micromanagement of environment, instead of urging countries to act in terms of political

environment of economic environment, countries are urge to micromanage the citizen of their

own state so that the civil society can create a better environment. This is the real role of the

United Nations in underlying the ideas of the MDGs to start the creation of a better

environment from the smaller role of civil society, bottom-up; instead of using a top-down

approach.


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Figure 5: The bottom-up approach (inverted pyramid seen from the lowest to highest)

The following are the brief explanation about the 8 goals of MDGs and its connection

to the environmental management:

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Target:

- Reduce by half the proportion of people living on less than a dollar a day;- Reduce by half the proportion of people who suffer from hunger.

Before the MDGs formed, the poverty rate was very high. People do not have enough

income to meet the needs of everyday life. As a result, they often engage in illegal things thatcan cause environmental damage, in order to obtain sufficient income. They engaged in

An accumulationof the nationalenvironment

The global environment

An accumulation of thelocal environment

Better condition ofenvironment in local levelwill create a betterenvironment in national

level

The national environment

The empowerment of the civil societyto create a better environment

The creation of a well-preservedenvironment locally where later will

be accumulated into a nationalcondition of environment

The role of MDGs is to create a bettersociety in order to create a betterenvironment

The localenvironment


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environmentally unfriendly, such activities as deforestation so as to obtain fuel woods,

building materials, expanding agricultural land and grazing areas, burning charcoal and

others, the which together Destroyed the environment.

MDGs have prepared a number of agenda to fight poverty, and also at the same time

maintaining environmental sustainability for present and future use. Like, the establishment of

agro-forestry, forestation re-forestation and soil conservation measures programs,

electrification of rural development and creating more employment opportunities, women

empowerment, fair trade for agricultural products, rural industrialization, opening Such

money lending institutions as co-operatives to improve among small businesses and education

people to fight ignorance, these together lead to the improvement of living standards of the

people at the Same time managing our environment.

Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education (UPE)

Target: To ensure that by 2015 that children everywhere will complete a full course of

primary schooling.

Before the MDGs is formed, as many as 113 million children worldwide not attending

school. This is because due to poverty and a few other things. Lack of education causes some

things that cause environmental damage, because when the kids are not in school, they

actually work collecting firewood and so forth. Activities such as these can cause the scarcity

of natural resources resulting from deforestation for example.

MDGs have been setting up programs to address this problem, namely by requiring a

primary school education, such as by providing free schooling, providing the necessary

facilities to carry out education. The program is expected to help provide early education to

children about how to preserve the environment, by introducing environmental programs such

as reforestation, soil conservation, and others. Education is also expected that children can be

more creative and innovative in creating a workforce that does not depend on the

environment.

Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower women.

Target: Eliminate gender disparities in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005,

and all levels of education no later than 2015.

Previously, she was an isolated group. Women are not allowed to participate,

especially in terms of making decisions about the environment and property. This leads toincreased poverty of women. Women are required to stay at home, resulting in many children,


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which leads to poverty due to high demand for food that leads to the empowerment of

unfriendly environmental activities.

After the MDGs, the Government supports the position of women, so as to obtain a

higher education. Promoting gender equality and empowerment of women will of help in

managing our environment because in most cases women are the ones interacting directly

with the environment.

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality

Target: Reduce under-five mortality rate by two thirds between 1990 and 2015.

Before the establishment of the MDGs, child mortality rates in some countries were so

high. Some are because of the influence of a dirty environment that causes the disease.

Another thing is the result of poor nutrition and lack of health facilities in the local area.

MDGs and build some health facilities, in order to combat the deaths of children under the

age of five years. They also provide education for local communities on how to treat the

environment well, such as how to make good sanitation, treat waste properly, destroying the

habitat of the animals are like mosquitoes that cause disease, and so forth.

Goal 5: Improve maternal health

Target: Reduce the maternity mortality ratio by three quarters between 1990 and 2015.

Before the establishment of the MDGs, maternal mortality is high due to health

problems. This health problem is related to environmental issues. Because maybe the mother

lived in a dirty area, inhaling the polluted air, and heavy work, like lifting wood for example,

can lead to lack of health during childbearing.

MDGs and countries are trying to combat this by providing clinics for pregnant

women. Pregnant mothers are required to perform here. Providing education about a healthy

environment is also given to the local community.

Goal 6: Combating HIV/AIDS Malaria and other diseases.

Target: Halt by 2015 and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS.

At first, the death rate from malaria and HIV is very high due to poverty and environmental

factors. But lately, it has become less and less because the mass media programs which help

to make aware and prevent this disease.

MDG target the reduction of the level of people who are infected with this virus. Thiscould be achieved by providing sex education, the introduction of condoms, education,


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environmental health, and eco talk show.

Goal 7 - Ensure environmental sustainability

Target:

- Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies andprograms; reverse loss of environmental resources;

- Reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinkingwater;

- Achieve significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers by2020.

Environment is an important factor, not only in MDG7 but also in other MDGs.

Environmental sustainability is the heart than the other MDGs. Underlying the achievement

of environmental sustainability of other purposes.

MDG7 is the direct relevance of some of the work undertaken by UNEP, which has

the slogan, "Environment for Development". UNEP has a partner who had the same thought

and purpose to eradicate poverty and preserve the environment, namely PEP (Poverty and

Environmental Partnership). Together, they tried to revive the political attention to the

challenges that exist to achieve the MDGs.

In total, almost all human activities impact damage to the environment, due to

deforestation, bush burning over fishing, poor agricultural methods, over exploitation of

mineral resources, Land Reclamation, land fragmentation, over population, harnessing of

energy research and others, put our environment in resulting into grave side, water pollution,

water pollution, soil Erosion, Extinction of species (rhino, tigers, Lions perform certain types

of fish, plants), loss of habitat for wild animals, Land Degradation, loss of ecological services

(carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, water cycle), global warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rain,

desertification, and diseases.

Today, after the MDGs, the countries trying to adhere to the principles of sustainable

development that emphasizes the use of appropriate resources, so that natural resources are

not damaged and can still be used by future generations. Environmental Education and

awareness at this time were being encouraged in these countries. The education program was

put in some higher education institutions, so as to produce graduates who understand and

environmentally conscious. And is expected to reduce the exploitation of environmental

resources, such as forests and minerals. Countries have strengthen the ministry ofenvironment in each country which work together with other ministries like tourism, water,


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energy, and minerals, Agriculture, forest, fisheries to ensure that the environment is used in

sustainable way so that it can support live on earth. Also countries have formulated

environmental councils to deal with environmental issues, for example in Uganda we have

NEMA (National Environment Management Authority), Tanzania there is NEMC (National

Environment Management Council), and These Councils have duty to ensure the environment

is kept in a good health state.

Goal 8 - Developing a Global Partnership for development

Target:

- Develop further an open, rule-based, predictable, non-discriminatory trading andfinancial system, Includes a commitment to good governance, development and

poverty reduction - both nationally and internationally;

- Address the special needs of the least developed countries. Includes: tariff and quota-free access for least developed countries' exports; enhanced program of debt relief for

heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) and cancellation of official bilateral debt; and

more generous ODA for countries committed to poverty reduction;

- Address the special needs of landlocked developing countries and small islandsdeveloping States (through the Program of Action for the Sustainable Development of

Small Island Developing States and the outcome of the twenty-second special session

of the General Assembly)

- Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries throughnational and international measures in order to make debt sustainable in the long term.

- In cooperation with developing countries, develop and implement strategies for decentand productive work for youth;

- In cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, provide access to affordable essentialdrugs in developing countries;

- In cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of newtechnologies, especially information and communications.

Final goal of the MDGs is the achievement of the first seven goals. Previously, visible

social gap between rich and poor countries are very prominent, due to low global partnership

between the countries. This influence of the increasing poverty that lead to exploitation of the

environment by the people for the sake of making money, such as their involvement with

activities that are not environmentally friendly.After MDGs were formed, start interwoven cooperation among countries around the


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world to address social problems, economic, political, until the environmental issue.

Developed countries provide assistance to developing countries, through debt relief, aid

education, free medicine donations, and so forth. All this is expected to achieve the MDGs

goals that lead to the development of global partnerships and the achievement of the

principles of environmentally sound sustainable development, and environmental

sustainability.

International Nongovernmental Organizations on Environment

There are many international organizations that involved in overcome the environmental

issues, such as:

The Green Zionist Alliance (GZA) works to educate and mobilize a Jewish Diasporavoice for Israels environment, to protect Israels environment and support its

environmental movement, to improve environmental practices within the World

Zionist Organization and its constituent agencies, and to inspire people to work for

positive change.30

Greenpeace states its goal is to "ensure the ability of the Earth to nurture life in all itsdiversity and focuses its work on world wide issues such as global warming,

deforestation, overfishing, commercial whaling and anti-nuclear issues.31

Friends of Nature is an international movement with a background in the SocialDemocratic movement, which aims to make nature accessible to the wider community

by providing appropriate recreational and travel facilities.32

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an international non-governmentalorganization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of

the environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official

name in Canada and the United States.33

Friends of the Earth International (FOEI) is an international network ofenvironmental organizations in 77 countries, are the world's largest grassroots

environmental network and they campaign on today's most urgent environmental and

social issues. They challenge the current model of economic and corporate

30Green Zionist Alliance. (n.d.). About. Retrieved November 1, 2010, from Green Zionist Alliance:

http://www.greenzionism.org/about-us/mission31

Greenpeace International. (n.d.). About. Retrieved November 1, 2010, from Greenpeace International:

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/about/worldwide/32

Naturfreunde International. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2010, from Naturfreunde International:

http://www.nfi.at/33The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). (n.d.). What we do. Retrieved November 1, 2010, from The World

Wide Fund for Nature (WWF): http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/


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globalization, and promote solutions that will help to create environmentally

sustainable and socially just societies.34

And so forth. There are still a lot of international environmental organizations. But

those mentioned are among the most popular worldwide.

International environmental organizations are part of the Non-Governmental

Organizations (NGOs). NGOs have risen to greater prominence in almost every region of the

world. Most NGOs, which consist of nonofficial groups in different countries, have come

together to promote common interests through international actions. Today, NGOs deliver a

lot of human development assistance. If current trends continue, the international system will

become profoundly different in the future. Therefore, to comprehend roles of NGOs in

international relations is very important and significant.

The development and implementation of the Ozone Regime

Among all the regimes and regimes-to-be in environmental issues, Ozone Regime is one of

the successful example (Baylis & Smith, 2005). It was started under The Montreal Protocol

in 1987. Before the Protocol was signed, there was the increase on consumption and

production ofozone-depleting substances (ODS), with chlorofluorocarbon is one of them.

Losses of the ozone layer were tremendous: in 1995 the stratospheric ozone level over Europe

and North America were about 10-percent lower than in the 1970s; and there are places with

20 to 50-percent lower.

As awareness of the risk of ozone depletion grew, some countries started to ban non-

essential uses of CFCs. However, it was only until 1985 that an international agreement was

reached, the Vienna Convention. The process was politically painstaking: the United States

under the Reagan administration was initially skeptical and had little enthusiasm. Only after

the United Nations Environment Programme showed bargains in the negotiation than the

Convention moved on. In 1987, the Montreal Protocol was agreed by 24 main industrialized

countries and the European Community, to cut the consumption of five types of CFCs by

50% in 1999.

International Agreements on the Environment

Throughout history, there are some international agreements on the environment. While it

involves a lot of states, the issues being touched by the agreements are often miniscule

34Friends of Earth International. (n.d.).About. Retrieved November 1, 2010, from Friends of Earth International:

http://www.foei.org/en/who-we-are/about


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compared to the real problems in environment.

Looking back at history, we can see several agreements albeit minor in scope

related to the environment35:

The Treaty of Berne (1889), preventing the spread of the Phylloxera disease(destructive to European vineyards)

1902 Convention for the Protection of Birds useful to Agriculture1991 Convention for the Protection of Fur SealsThe creation of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in

1945

1946 International Whaling ConventionThe most significant start to the agreements related to environment is the 1972 United

Nations Conference on the Human Environment, signed in response to the dramatic

increase in international environmental concerns in the 1960s. This Conference otherwise

known as the Stockholm Conference led to the creation of the United Nations

Environment Programme (UNEP) as one of its lasting impacts. It is also the start of the

understanding of the general relationship between environment and development in the

context of North-South Relations36.

The Stockholm Conference was the start of dozens of other international

environmental agreements and programs. For example, the 1972 London Dumping

Convention as a framework for restricting the dumping of toxic wastes at sea. The pinnacle of

the follow up was when the United Nations convened the Earth Summit in 1989 (as a

twenty-year follow up to the Stockholm Conference), leading to the United Nations

Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. The UNCED

established the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or FCCC)

is an international environmental treaty, which produced at the United Nations Conference on

Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit, held in Rio de

Janeiro from June 3 to 14, 1992. The objective of the treaty is to stabilize greenhouse gas

concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic

35Baylis, J., & Smith, S.,pp. 453-456

36

Thus, again, justifying our application of the World-System Theory; the presence of the North-South tensions(i.e. the cores and the peripheries); and also the tensions between industrialized and the less-industrialized

countries.


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interference with the climate system.37

UNFCCC is a framework convention, which establishes principles, aims, institutions,

and procedures that should subsequently be developed. The most important obligation in the

FCCC is that parties must provide regular reports on national greenhouse gas emissions,

emissions projections, and policies and measures to limit such emissions.

The treaty provides for updates (called "protocols") that would set mandatory

emission limits. The principal update is the Kyoto Protocol, which has become much better

known. One of its first tasks was to establish national greenhouse gas inventories of

greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals.

The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change (UNFCCC or FCCC), aimed at fighting global warming. The major feature

of the Kyoto Protocol is that it sets binding targets for 37 industrialized countries and the

European community for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These amount to an

average of five per cent against 1990 levels over the five-year period 2008-2012. Countries

that ratify this protocol commit to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and five other

greenhouse gases, or engage in emissions trading if they maintain or increase emissions of

these gases.

The major distinction between the Protocol and the Convention is that while the

Convention encouraged industrialized countries to stabilize GHG emissions, the Protocol

commits them to do so.

Recognizing that developed countries are principally responsible for the current high

levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere as a result of more than 150 years of industrial

activity, the Protocol places a heavier burden on developed nations under the principle of

common but differentiated responsibilities.38

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered

in to force on 16 February 2005.

According to a press release from the United Nations Environment Programme:

"The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement under which industrializedcountries will reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by5.2% compared to the year 1990 (but note that, compared to theemissions levels that would be expected by 2010 without the Protocol,this target represents a 29% cut). The goal is to lower overall emissions

37United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change. (n.d.). Full text of the convention . Retrieved

November 1, 2010, from UNFCCC:

http://unfccc.int/essential_background/convention/background/items/1353.php38United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change. (n.d.). Kyoto Protocol. Retrieved November 1,

2010, from UNFCCC: http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php


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of six greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfurhexafluoride, HFCs, and PFCs - calculated as an average over the five-year period of 2008-12. National targets range from 8% reductions forthe European Union and some others to 7% for the US, 6% for Japan,0% for Russia, and permitted increases of 8% for Australia and 10%

for Iceland."39

***

Indonesia and the Environment:

Where Are We Standing Now40

When global warming became a hot topic, Environment also discussed, Environment

and global warming have a very close relationship. Global warming and environment are

connected. Environment issue is still connected with high population, poverty,

industrialization and lack of knowledge.

Contemporary issues

In 1998, Samarinda, Indonesia, there are forest fire and the smoke been spread

everyone and interfere the activity not only in Indonesia but also neighboring countries like

Malaysia. Smoke from Indonesia forest fire especially in Kalimantan, Sumatera are

interfering the neighbor countries.

In Indonesia there are so many forest fires that disturb not only Indonesia but also the

neighboring country. We take a case from Center and West Kalimantan as an example. The

forest fire cause by the dry season and the forest become a peat land, which make easier to be

burnt. Also, the forest had turned into palm oil plantation. The smoke from forest fire has

spread into the Malaysia. The smoke has been disturbing for flights in Malaysia, and so

Malaysia protest to Indonesia.

Indonesia as an independent country should be determines the direction of foreign

policy. Smoke pollution from burning forests in Kalimantan and Sumatra, creating a security

threat to the population in the ASEAN region41. The smoke pollution that occurred in 1997 is

the highest point so that the worst conditions for approximately seven months of smoke

covered the sky of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Indonesia, and The

39http://unfccc.int/cop3/fccc/info/indust.htm

40 This section is written in two parts. The authors of each part will be mentioned in its subsequent

sections.41Snitwongse, K., & Bunbongkarn, S. (2000). New Security Issues and Their Impact on ASEAN. In S. S. Tay,

J. P. Estanislo, & H. Susatro,Reinventing ASEAN(p. 150). Singapore, Singapore: ISEAS.


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Philippines. Smoke pollution is very harmful to human health because it disrupts the eyes and

lungs. Indonesia known as the most often contributor to the smoke pollution because the

uncontrolled burning of forest. The burning of forest was done by traditional way by burning

the rest of the illegal logging.

In 2010 the smoke problem returned. Air-pollution indices in Singapore and the south

of the Malaysian peninsula had reached their highest levels since 200642. In June 2006

however, the five ASEAN countries agreed to assist Indonesia in tackling the smog that

happens, the five countries agreed after holding a meeting on haze in Palembang and signed

the ASEAN Transboundary Haze Agreement. It is unquestionable that the NGOs urged the

Indonesian Government to immediately ratify the treaty. Indonesia still not ratified the

agreement because they said that they did not ready to ratify the agreement about the handle

of smoke pollution43.

Let us not forget also about the mudflow that flooded several villages in the region of

Sidoarjo, East Java. Caused by drilling of the Lapindo Brantas Company, scientists for now

concluded that the incident is due to the presence of a mud volcano at the incident site44.

42The Economist, op. cit.

43

Ibid.44Al-Jazeera. (2008, June 10). Drilling 'caused Java mud volcano'. Retrieved November 1, 2010, from Al-

Jazeera: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2008/06/200861517024264237.html


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Figure 6: The area impacted by the Lumpur Sidoarjo can be seen in greyish color on

this false-color map, circa 2009. NASA

One reference45 currently notes several environmental-related problems for Indonesia.

Some of the problems are generally localized, but the others are global/collective in nature.

The problems are:

DeforestationWater pollution from industrial wastesSewageAir pollution in urban areasSmoke and haze from forest fires

Indonesia and the solution46

Climate change caused by human activities. Humans sometimes are not aware of the

changes that happened is that the man's own actions such as creating air pollution, factory

police, illegal logging, illegal wildlife trade, waste management, even traffic jams became

Indonesia's environmental problems. Global climate change is a material adverse impact on us

all as inhabitants of the earth. Examples of human actions that caused environmental

problems are human consumption are like continuing the ongoing use of fossil fuels such as

coal, petroleum and natural gas. Besides, we already know most of this global warming is

melting polar ice caps, rising ocean temperatures, prolonged drought, the spread of dangerous

disease outbreaks, massive flooding, coral bleaching and large storm waves.

As an international organization Greenpeace believe that just by step reduction of

greenhouse gas emissions, which may prevent the systematic, and radical climate change that

could result in further damage to the ecosystems of the world and the people living

therein. So, what needs to be addressed by the Indonesian state in solving global

environmental problems emerging-proliferation? What are Indonesia's roles in solving global

environmental problems? The following will discuss about Indonesia's role in addressing

global environmental problems.

To solve a problem, of course, must be resolved as a result of its root causes. In terms

of environmental concerns about air pollution, is now part of the problems in Indonesia,

which was hit by natural disasters such as ash rains from volcanic eruptions, the volcanic

45

Central Intelligence Agency. (2010, September 17). Retrieved September 27, 2010, from CIA WorldFactbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/46

This section is written by Christanty Gunawan


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gases, and others which tend to have negative effects for related aspects in the country and

abroad.

As mentioned above, Indonesia has some problems in the global environment such as

pollution, deforestation, over fishing, vanishing natural resources and many others that effect

to the poor governance. Because of pollution in Indonesia nowadays, rapid economic

development, particularly around major population centers results in large amounts of sewage

and industrial pollution, causing the decline of many reef areas especially those near growing

cities such as Jakarta, Ambon and Ujung Pandang.47 To maintain this problem, Indonesia

should be able to play its role to decrease the pollution problem.

Indonesia must also take into account the impact of climate change on national

development. Economic development goals and climate change policy goals must not be seen

as opposite ends of a spectrum. They must be seen as paths toward the same goal. Economic

development is necessary to alleviate poverty, improve access to energy, increase economic

growth and aid our adaptation efforts. Finally, the government has to integrate climate change

policy into development plans for inclusive and sustainable development. In this context, we

need to rethink spending money on subsidizing fossil fuels, a practice that may be

inconsistent with GHG reductions.

The Indonesian government is still seeking efforts in tackling global environmental

problems. However, if the Indonesian people themselves are not aware of the natural

circumstances surrounding the occupant earth, then the government will attempt to no avail

and global environmental problems will still occur and result in a bleak future for this nation,

Indonesia. We think that needs to be increased again is how the government implemented a

code of conduct that must be the Indonesian community in improving the climate for the good

of future generations. These rules must be hard and can bring people of Indonesia on the

importance of the purpose of making this order.

However, Indonesia does give a good mark in terms of solving global environmental

issues. One of the highlights would be the United Nations Climate Change Conference in

Bali, in the year 2007. The Conference resulted in the Bali Roadmap, which laid a

framework for further negotiations in a two-year period for the next Climate Change

Conference in Copenhagen (2009). Highlights from the Bali Roadmap, as quoted48

:

47The World Wide Fund for Nature. (n.d.).Environmental Problems in Indonesia. Retrieved November 2, 2010,

from The World Wide Fund for Nature:

http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/indonesia/environmental_problems_indonesia/48British Broadcasting Corporation. (2007, December 15). At a glance: Bali climate deal. Retrieved November

3, 2010, from British Broadcasting Corporation: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7146132.stm


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On Cutting Emissions

Acknowledges that evidence for the planet warming is "unequivocal", and that delaysin reducing emissions increase the risks of "severe climate change impacts".

Recognises that "deep cuts in global emissions will be required to achieve the ultimateobjective" of the UN climate convention, namely "avoiding dangerous climate

change".

Decides to look at "a long-term global goal for emission reductions". Developed nations to take on commitments that are "measurable, reportable and

verifiable", and "nationally appropriate". May or may not include quantified, binding

targets for all or some.

For developing nations, "measurable, reportable and verifiable" actions "in the contextof sustainable development, supported by technology and enabled by financing and

capacity-building" i.e. only with Western support.

On Forests

Pledges to consider "policy approaches and positive incentives" to reducedeforestation and conserve forest cover.

Funds pledged to World Bank to initiate pilot projects under the banner of ReducingEmissions from Deforestation in Developing countries (REDD).

On Adaptation

Enhanced co-operation to support urgent implementation of measures to protectpoorer countries against climate change impacts.

Acknowledges that economic diversification can build resilience. Resolves to consider ways of reducing the occurrence or damage from natural

disasters.

On Technological Transfer

Will consider how to remove obstacles to, and the provision of financial and otherincentives for, scaling up the transfer of clean energy technologies from

ndustrialized nations to the developing world.

Decides to re-instate an expert group on technology transfer to advise developingcountries.

On Timeline

A subsidiary body will begin work on the Bali roadmap as soon as possible. Views ofparties to be sought by late February, and the first meeting in March or April.


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Further review meetings scheduled; process to complete at 2009 UN summit inCopenhagen.

Box 2: Excerpts from the Bali Roadmap

***

The Contemporary Environmental Problems49

In this part we will see some of the recent major environmental issues50 that have gross

impact on not only the country being problematic but also many other countries of the world.

The list will be concise, and contains the highlights of each problems, how does it happen,

and how it brings problem to the World.

What? Where? Why? How?51

The 2010 Gulf of

Mexico Oil Spill52

Gulf of Mexico,

in between the

United States and

Mexico territory

The spill happened

after the explosion of

one of the oilrigs,

Deepwater Horizon

It is particularly

interesting because the oil

disaster is a problem

between a state and a non-

state entity, that is the

Government of the United

States versus the BritishPetroleum (who did the

exploration at the Gulf)

The 2010

Greenland Ice

Breaks

Greenland

Due to global

warming, there is an

ice break (a block of

ice separating from

the main Greenland)

at a size four times

than the Island of

Manhattan53

The danger it poses. This

is one of the indicators

that the climate change

brings negative impact:

had the global temperature

rises to an alarming rate

from 23oC to 27oC then

the whole Greenland will

49This section is written by Marsha Susetyo and Matthew Hanzel

50This is a list of case-per-case basis, not about general issues of the environment.

51How it becomes an international issue?

52Joel K. Bourne, J., op. cit.

53

Dell'Amore, C. (2010, August 6). Ice Island Breaks off Greenland; Bigger Than Manhattan. RetrievedNovember 3, 2010, from National Geographic: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/08/100806-ice-

chunk-island-greenland-glacier-petermann-biggest-science/


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melt and there will be a

27-feet rise of the sea

level around the world

(around 9 meters)54

2010 Russian

WildfiresRussian forests

Occurred due to the

highest temperature

ever happened in

Russia, combined with

severe drought in mid-

2010

President Dmitry

Medvedev had declared a

state of emergency, the

severe fire had costed

Russia approx. US$15

billion in damages55

And to complete the list we will provide the list of major environmental issues that are

happening in the world right now (and that are threatening to the global environment)56:

Acidification of soil

and waterAcid rain Deforestation

Excessive coral

harvesting

Drift-net fishingEffluents (waste

materials)

Emissions of

greenhouse gasesAnimal overgrazing

Ozone depletion

Poaching of animals

(esp. the endangered)

Slash-and-burn

agriculture Soil degradation

Soil erosion UV radiationInadequacy of

potable water

Endangered marine

species (sharks, etc.)

Oil pollution on sea MudflowsExcessive usage of

pesticidesToxic materials

***

The Future of the International Politics of the Environment:

The Question of the Sustainable Development57

54Gray, L. (2010, August 13).Ice sheet in Greenland melting at record rate. Retrieved November 3, 2010, from

The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/7941035/Ice-sheet-in-Greenland-melting-at-record-rate.html55

Kramer, A. (2010, August 8).A smoky curtain falls on Moscow. Retrieved November 3, 2010, from The Age:http://www.theage.com.au/world/a-smoky-curtain-falls-on-moscow-20100807-11pcw.html56

Central Intelligence Agency. (n.d.).Environment - Current Issues. Retrieved November 3, 2010, from CIAWorld Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-

factbook/fields/2032.html?countryName=Indonesia&countryCode=id&regionCode=easid


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This paper is never intended to be a very exhaustive elaboration and writings about the

environment and global politics. There are much too many things to be discussed only a short

paper of about 30 pages. While we have covered some issues about air pollution,

industrialization, the MDGs and the environment, the regimes and agreements upon

environmental issues; there are still much issues to cover, such as the ozone depletion,

excessive fishing, and many other things.

We have seen how the environment has become a battlefield between the

industrialized countries and the less industrialized, namely the cores and the peripheries.

Agreements, in practice, are the factual representation of such conflict. While the

industrialized countries, i.e. the cores, are trying to protect their industries and often reluctant

to put into force agreements that obliged them to reduce carbon emissions (or to comply on

certain mechanism of environmental controls); the peripheries are pressing the issue of

climate change and other environmental issues.

Then comes the issue of sustainable development, to make progress walks hand in

hand with the preservation of the environment. It was first heard at the 400-page document of

Agenda 21 as part of the Rio Declaration (1992). The Agenda 21 aims to provide a program

of action for sustainable development. This issue of sustainable development can be achieved

through efforts, such as: promoting sustainable urban development, combating deforestation,

biotechnology management, managing fragile mountain ecosystems, and hazardous waste

management. The Agenda 21 also established the Commission for Sustainable Development

as part of the UN system58.

The Commission for Sustainable Development works in three ways: [1] Promoting

coordinated approaches towards sustainable development; [2] Reviewing national reports on

aspects of sustainable development; [3] Follow-up on unfinished business of United Nations

on Environment and Development (1992).

In recent decades, debates increasingly focused on the challenges of developing

international mechanism to shape broader patterns of trade and investment in line with

environmental goals. Some people believe than trade and environment regimes can be

complementary and even mutually reinforcing59.

The problem with this issue of sustainable development is that the concept is a

contested one: there are differing political, economic, social, and environmental perspectives

57

This section is written by Matthew Hanzel, and is written as the conclusion of this paper.58Baylis, J., & Smith, S., op. cit., pp. 469-474

59Ibid.


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in disagreement about its exact meaning60. There are also debates about the real purpose of

sustainable development, so far into an argument that the issue of sustainable development is

one way to prohibit industrialization of many developing countries that are yet to be

industrialized.

But still, environment is a prominent issue now since many people and many states

are now thinking on the continuity of the Planet Earth in many years to come. If todays

development is destructive to the environment it will fall useless in the future since the

environment is already damaged so as to give no use to the human being. The politicization

and economization of environmental issues are now at a new level where countries are

playing tug-of-war with to protect or not to protect, or to gain or not to gain.

The only thing left, to conclude the whole paper, is whether the whole World

including the industrialized states will realize the importance of the environment and its

protection, before its too late.

***

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