This subject provides students with an introduction to the international relations aspects of climate change. The subject is divided into three parts: (1) Understanding climate change, including concepts such as the global climate system and the Earth as a finite entity; the scientific evidence for anthropogenic climate change and the history of greenhouse gas emissions; and the current and predicted bio-physical consequences of climate change. (2) Climate change adaptation in the context of international relations, including how individuals and states adapt to climate change impacts; traditional, human and environmental security problems raised by climate change; and climate security-related case studies. (3) Greenhouse gas mitigation in the context of international relations, inclusive of multilateral diplomacy and the two-level game; multilateral greenhouse gas mitigation efforts; the UNFCCC process; the Kyoto Protocol, son-of-Kyoto and beyond.

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Readings