Challenge of Climate Change

Global warming and climate change present complex interlocking
issues of public policy, multilateral negotiation, and
technological advancement. This book explores both the
problems and the opportunities presented by international
agreements, and examines the technological developments and policy
goals that can be pursued to effect the changes necessary.
Specific steps are proposed in the form of a list of priorities.

This book represents a cooperative enterprise between two
authors of different backgrounds - engineering and international
relations - and is directed to an educated but
non-professional lay audience without any formal training in either
science or international relations. The points of view of
negotiators from both developed and developing nations are
presented and compared. Each topic is presented from both
technical and policy perspectives as a means to evaluate the
variety of proposals that have been offered as remedies to global
warming.

The text is supported by illustrations and tables where
appropriate, including a list of References at the end of each
chapter.

Auteur

DANIEL D. PERLMUTTER is Professor of Chemical Engineering at
the University of Pennsylvania, and has served as Chair of the
Chemical Engineering Department at the University and as University
Ombudsman. His contributions were recognized by a Lindbach Award
for excellence in teaching, a Guggenheim Foundation Award for
research, two Fulbright Fellowships, and the Lectureship Award of
the American Association for Engineering Education. His
research focused on the dynamics and control of chemical reaction
systems, yielded three books and many publications in professional
journals.

ROBERT L. ROTHSTEIN was the Harvey Picker Distinguished
Professor of International Relations at Colgate University. He has
published widely on the international negotiating process and peace
processes in protracted conflicts and has been awarded a variety of
prestigious fellowships, including the Rockefeller Foundation, the
Carnegie Foundation, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for
Scholars, and the U.S. Institute of Peace. He has also been a
consultant to the Department of State and a number of foundations
and international institutions.

Résumé
Global warming and climate change present complex interlocking issues of public policy, multilateral negotiation, and technological advancement. This book explores both the problems and the opportunities presented by international agreements, and examines the technological developments and policy goals that can be pursued to effect the changes necessary. Specific steps are proposed in the form of a list of priorities. This book represents a cooperative enterprise between two authors of different backgrounds - engineering and international relations - and is directed to an educated but non-professional lay audience without any formal training in either science or international relations. The points of view of negotiators from both developed and developing nations are presented and compared. Each topic is presented from both technical and policy perspectives as a means to evaluate the variety of proposals that have been offered as remedies to global warming.

The text is supported by illustrations and tables where appropriate, including a list of References at the end of each chapter.

Contenu
Preface. Acknowledgments.

1 In the Beginning.

Introduction.

1.1 The Viewpoint Taken.

1.2 What is Your Problem?

1.3 The Challenges We Face.

Notes and References.

2 A View of Geopolitics.

Introduction.

2.1 Are There Limits to Growth?

2.2 Public Goods and Public Bads.

2.3 Policymaking and Negotiations.

Notes and References.

3 Surveying the Field.

Introduction.

3.1 A History of Change.

3.2 Measuring Energy.

3.3 Supply: Where Do We Get It?

3.4 Demand: How Do We Use It?

3.5 Will We Run Out of Oil? Or Gas?

3.6 Forms of Energy.

Notes and References.

4 Global Warming.

Introduction.

4.1 Temperature of the Planet.

4.2 Greenhouse Gases.

4.3 Is Global Warming Our Fault?

4.4 The RF Index.

4.5 Air Pollution Revisited.

4.6 Immediate or Short-Term Remedies.

4.7 Limits to Growth and the Commons Revisited.

4.8 Sequestration.

Notes and References.

5 Renewable Energy.

Introduction.

5.1 Hydroelectric Power.

5.2 Biofuels.

5.3 Wind Power.

5.4 Power from Tides and Waves.

5.5 Direct Use of Solar Energy.

5.6 Nuclear Energy.

5.7 Geothermal Energy.

5.8 Indirect Emissions and Hidden Costs.

Notes and References.

6 Energy Storage.

Introduction.

6.1 Batteries and Fuel Cells.

6.2 Syngas and Liquid Fuels.

6.3 Hydrogen Gas.

6.4 Pumped Water or Compressed Air.

6.5 Hot Water or Molten Salt.

6.6 Flywheels.

Notes and References.

7 The Negotiating Process.

Introduction.

7.1 A Period of Transition.

7.2 Our Worst Fears.

7.3 Guidance from a Theory of Bargaining.

7.4 Useful Lessons from the Past.

7.5 What Should a Treaty Accomplish?

7.6 Where We are Heading.

Notes and References.

8 From Theory to Practice.

Introduction.

8.1 Different Regimes and Perspectives.

8.2 Improving the Prospects.

8.3 The Debate on Venues.

8.4 Bargaining Strategies: Domestic and International.

8.5 Big Bang or Accelerated Incrementalism?

8.6 Choices in the Context of Risk.

Notes and References.

9 Where Do We Go from Here?

Introduction.

9.1 Is the Feasible Insufficient?

9.2 Fiscal Measures.

9.3 A Complicated Question.

9.4 An Overall Assessment.

9.5 Choices and Priorities.

9.6 Caveats.

9.7 A To-Do List.

Notes and References.

10 A List of Priorities.

Introduction.

10.1 Short-Term Gains: Less than 10 Years.

10.2 Medium-Term Improvements: 1020 Years.

10.3 Long-Term Solutions: More than 20 Years.

10.4 Plan A and Plan B, Simultaneously.

Notes and References.

11 Prospects After Copenhagen.

Introduction.

11.1 Costly Failure or Small Success?

11.2 Reframing the Debate.

11.3 The Good News and the Bad News.

11.4 The China Problem.

11.5 Third World Dilemmas.

11.6 Polarized Politics.

Notes and References.

Index.