The Environment and International Relations

This exciting new textbook introduces students to the ways in which the theories and tools of International Relations can be used to analyse and address global environmental problems. Kate O'Neill develops an historical and analytical framework for understanding global environmental issues, and identifies the main actors and their roles, allowing students to grasp the core theories and facts about global environmental governance. She examines how governments, international bodies, scientists, activists and corporations address global environmental problems including climate change, biodiversity loss, ozone depletion and trade in hazardous wastes. The book represents a new and innovative theoretical approach to this area, as well as integrating insights from different disciplines, thereby encouraging students to engage with the issues, to equip themselves with the knowledge they need, and to apply their own critical insights. This will be invaluable for students of environmental issues both from political science and environmental studies perspectives.
Represents a new and innovative theoretical framework to understand global environmental governance, enabling students to apply the tools of International Relations to environmental issues • Helps students to identify the main actors in global environmental politics and their roles in addressing the major crises facing the environment, and to gain a solid understanding of the core facts and theories • Provides an analytical approach, encouraging students to engage with the issues and to apply their own critical understanding