The Complexity of Environmental Policymaking, Essay Example

Policymaking is never an easy task. Even at the state level we see differences of opinion and motivation complicating, and usually prolonging, the decision making process. If it is difficult for a state to decide whether or not to build a new dam or highway because of how it might adversely or positively affect the lives of different constituents, just imagine the difficulty of policymaking on an international scale. Countries- all at different stages of development and with different goals- are trying to influence international policies for their own well-being. In this paper I will discuss the particular complexity of environmental policymaking at the international level due to debatable science, costs and difference in national goals.

First, there is the question of scientific complexity. Many environmental issues are exceedingly complicated and even scientists debate their causes and solutions. Issues like global warming clearly need a global commitment to help stall them but the process, complicated by impenetrable science to politicians and policy makers, can make global warming seem like a distant, controversial and less pressing issue than others.

States are also functioning with different priorities. The policy briefing note from Earth Summit 2002 made a clear distinction between the EU and the U.S. in terms of environmental priorities compared to some rapidly developing Asian nations. China, for example, might argue that Europe irresponsibly stripped the natural resources of its colonies a century ago and thus China should not be held to different standards during its own industrial development. Negotiating international policy for nations at such different stages is difficult (Buck 2000).

Another huge problem is the cost of “going green” for many nations. Things like recycling programs, alternative energy and preservation are large investments which might adversely affect industries of a country and take away funds that would otherwise be used for things like education and development of a country’s population (Blake 1999).

References

Blake, James. 1999. “Overcoming the ‘value?action gap’ in environmental policy: Tensions between national policy and local experience.” The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability 4: 257-278

Buck, Matthias, Kelly Kollman and Alexander Cariu. 2000. “International Environmental Policymaking and Transatlantic Co-operation: Set ting the Agenda for Rio+ 10.” http://www.earthsummit2002.org/es/2002/Rio10_Policy_Paper.pdf(February 21, 2012)

United Nations Environment Programme. “Introduction to Climate Change.”http://www.unep.org/climatechange/Introduction/tabid/233/Default.aspx (February 21, 2012)