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Dickinson to Durban » Entries tagged with "UNFCCC"

Durban: Where Global Meets Local

Durban: Where Global Meets Local

Claire Tighe ’13 Durban, South Africa is the host for the 2011 UNFCCC 17th Conference of the Parties. As a large urban center and coastal city, has Durban taken any actions towards mitigation or adaptation to climate change? Debra Roberts addresses this question in her report, “Thinking globally, acting locally – institutionalizing climate change at the local government level in Durban, South Africa.” As of late, “reasonable progress has been made in Durban in mainstreaming climate change … Read entire article »

Filed under: Climate Change, Environmental Politics

Climate Change, Gender Vulnerability and Zimbabwe

Claire Tighe ’13 Some quick thoughts and on the relationship between gendered vulnerability and climate change in Zimbabwe, as stated through the Heinrich Boll Stiftung report entitled, “Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Preparedness in Southern Africa: Zimbabwe Country Report 2010.” Download the report here. In 2010 the German Green Party published the aforementioned document outlining and evaluating the present state of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in Zimbabwe. The report claims that current gender inequalities are compounding effects of climate change, “A deliberate and extensive effort is needed to integrate gender issues into Zimbabwe’s response to climate change. Gender disaggregated data on vulnerabilities is needed at both micro and macro levels. The accentuated vulnerability of women to climate change should be acknowledged, researched, and integrated in plannig and strategy building. Policy … Read entire article »

Filed under: Climate Change, Environmental Justice, Environmental Politics, Key COP17 Issues

Legally Binding Agreement at COP17?

Legally Binding Agreement at COP17?

(If you’re new to this blog or the discussion on legally binding agreements at international climate negotiations, please see this blog in order to gain some background knowledge). After the two most recent UNFCCC Conferences of the Parties, COP 15 and COP16, some least-developed countries are still holding out for a legally binding commitment at COP17. However, due to political concerns, the concept of a legally bound commitment is viewed differently by each country involved in … Read entire article »

Filed under: Climate Change, Environmental Politics, Key COP17 Issues

The Key To International Negotiations?

by Claire Tighe ’13 In order to maintain a livable atmosphere for life on Earth, big polluters such as the United States, need to significantly reduce their greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions. Without either a carbon cap-and-trade system or a carbon tax imposed by the federal government, the future of climate change looks bleak, particularly in relation to the pending international climate change agreements (For a great introduction of the dynamics and concerns of the cap-and-trade system, see Holme Hummel’s slideshow). As economist Nat Keohane presents in his video about cap-and-trade here, a concrete, comprehensive domestic emissions restriction will encourage other international states to create their own policies, or even sign onto a post-Kyoto agreement. If competing countries, such as China, see that the United States has made a commitment to cut carbon, … Read entire article »

Filed under: Carbon Markets, Climate Change, Key COP17 Issues, Summer Reading Responses