Global Environmental Politics: Problems, Policy, and Practice

by Hayley Stevenson

Overview

Humanity's impact on the planet is undeniable. Fairly and effectively addressing environmental problems begins with understanding their causes and impacts. Is overpopulation the main driver of environmental degradation? Poverty? Capitalism? Poor governance? Imperialism? Patriarchy? Clearly these are not technical questions, but political ones. Updated to cover new debates, data, and policy, and expanded to include chapters on colonialism, race and gender, and the impacts of energy and resource extraction, this book introduces students to diverse perspectives and helps them develop an informed understanding of why environmental problems occur. How the international community should act is deeply contested. Guiding students through the potential responses, including multilateral diplomacy, transnational voluntary action, innovative financial mechanisms, problem displacement, consumer-focused campaigns, and resistance, this book explains the different forms of political action, their limitations and injustices. Online resources include lecture slides, a test bank for instructors and updated weblinks to videos and suggested readings for students.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781009416771
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/18/2025
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	420
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.94(d)

About the Author

Hayley Stevenson is Associate Professor in International Relations at the Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, Argentina. She teaches and researches in the areas of international relations and environmental politics, with particular interests in green political economy, and the democratic quality of global environmental governance. She previously worked at the University of Sheffield (UK) and the Australian National University.

Table of Contents

1. Global Politics and the Environment; Part I. Why Do Environmental Problems Occur?: 2. The Tragedy of the Commons; 3. Population and Poverty; 4. Capitalism and Growth; 5. Systems of Domination; Part II. Responding to Global Environmental Problems: 6. Conflict and Securitisation Water Scarcity; 7. Multilateral Diplomacy Sustainable Development; 8. Transnational Governance Climate Change; 9. Finance Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss; 10. Democratizing Governance Energy and Extraction; 11. Individualising Responsibility Unsustainable Consumption; 12. Problem Displacement Hazardous Substances; 13. Resistance and Localisation Unsustainable Agriculture; 14. Appraising Global Environmental Governance.