1 The Third World in International Environmental Politics Historical Context Examples Toxic waste “trade” Ozone Climate

Lec 7, POL S Background Factors n What is the “Third World?” n Legacy of colonialism –Distrust of and dependency on North –Weak states, strong desire for sovereignty –Weak technical infrastructure –Class schism: elites and masses n Commodity-based economies –Cash crops, timber, minerals –IC’s control markets, prices –“Shadow ecologies” of the North

Lec 7, POL S … background factors n Cold War: G77 & Nonaligned Movement –Post-Cold War: Death of Third World? No: Third World as identity n Dependent on investment, aid, and loans –Vulnerability to globalized markets –UN aid goal: 0.7% of IC’s GDP U.S. = 0.1% –World Bank, IMF controlled by North n External debt –“ Crisis” of early 80s is worse now –Many DCs pay more interest on debt than they receive in aid n Ecological debt

Lec 7, POL S Segue into International Law n Sources –Customary –General principles of state law –Formal agreement Soft law: nonbinding codes & guidelines Treaty: binding only on parties n International law becomes national law –Some states require separate legislation n Compliance high –reciprocity, predictability, mobilizing shame

Lec 7, POL S The Basic Formula n Stages of international law –Agenda setting and pre-treaty negotiations Science advisors, Prep Committees –Adoption of finalized text –Signing –Ratification –Entry into force n Framework Conventions and Protocols –States proceed incrementally from general principles to specific obligations

Lec 7, POL S The Third World in Environmental Treaties n Basel Convention on Toxic Waste Trade (1989) –DCs wanted ban: a matter of safety & principle –U.S. opposed ban for ideological reasons –Result: “Prior informed consent” regime –Calls for eventual self-sufficiency in toxic waste disposal –Early 90s: Greenpeace exposé –110 countries have ratified Nonratifying signatories: US, Afghanistan & Haiti –African states unite DCs around outright ban By 1994, 100 countries joined ban n 1995: Basel Ban Amendment bans all hazardous waste exports from IC’s to DCs –Landmark treaty for env’tal justice & cost internalization –60 countries have ratified –Entry into force requires ratification by 3/4 of signatories »

Lec 7, POL S Source: Basel Action Network

Lec 7, POL S Lagos, Nigeria Source: Basel Action Network

Lec 7, POL S The New e-Waste Problem n Hyper-growth in IT: “churn & burn” model –70% of heavy metals in landfills from IT n The solution: “recycling” to Africa & Asia –Nearly all is junk n NGO efforts –Market-based & consumer solutions Responsible recyclers: Reduce toxicity –EPA’s Electronic Product Guide: –Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics n Lessons –DCs can be a forceful coalition, especially with NGO support –Importance of political symbolism –Some issues are more amenable to treaties than others –“Away” is a place… and people live there

Lec 7, POL S The Third World in Past Treaties n Montreal Protocol on Stratospheric Ozone (1987) ICs cut CFCs 50% by 2000 DCs could increase for 10 years –1990: CFC phaseout by 2000 n Multilateral Ozone Fund A big precedent ICs fund DC transition to substitutes U.S. insisted: “this is not a precedent” Concern: climate change n Lesson: If ICs want DC compliance, they must fund transitional technologies

Lec 7, POL S Convergent Third World Interests on Climate Change Shared vulnerability & concern for equity > n Common but differentiated responsibility –ICs must act first n Sustainable Development –Right to development > DC GHG emissions will increase n DCs: ICs must fund transition in DCs –Additionality: new aid added to existing n Technology transfer from ICs to DCs –Renewable energy

Lec 7, POL S Divergent Third World Views n Diverse perspectives –Rapid industrializers: India, China, Brazil, Mexico China: nearly half of DC GHG emissions –OPEC –Small Island States n “Fourth World” –6,000 nationalities in 192 countries 15% of world’s pop. claims rights to 25% of land –Human rights/ environment connection –Indigenous peoples & forest sinks –Skeptical of state sovereignty, growth imperative