This textbook serves as a resource for upper-level international environmental issues courses within the American Environmental Studies and Sciences series, suitable for both undergraduate and graduate students in environmental studies, political science, or environmental policy. With ongoing negotiations shaping environmental treaties, it's essential for a new generation of students and practitioners to grasp the complex processes behind these agreements. Most students in environmental studies lack a political science background; thus, an interdisciplinary approach makes the material more accessible. As these fields evolve, the importance of regulatory compliance grows, prompting the inclusion of a business and industry perspective where relevant. The content covers a range of topics, including the foundations of international environmental diplomacy, the establishment of UNEP, and critical issues such as whale conservation, ozone layer protection, hazardous waste regulation, and the Earth Summit's legacy. It also addresses climate change, biodiversity conservation, toxic chemical exposure, and sustainability goals, culminating in discussions on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and reflections on climate change. The structure aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of international environmental issues and their implications.
Anne Egelston Knihy
