Module 1: Global Environmental
Challenges
(only the trajectories, which became before another but not exact years)
Learning Objectives
Deepen understanding of the complexity and severity of environmental problems.
Trigger interest in studying global environmental politics.
Master the concept of planetary boundaries.
Core Messages
We face a number of complex and urgent sustainability challenges.
The challenges are environmental, societal, and economic at the same time.
Addressing the challenges requires fundamental societal and economic
transformations.
1. Welcome to the Anthropocene
1.1 Reading
1.1.1 Crutzen: Geology of mankind
Crutzen argues that humanity has so altered the Earth's nature that we have entered
a new geological era: the Anthropocene. In this era, humans through industry,
agriculture, transportation, urbanization, and so on have become a dominant force in
the Earth's very functioning.
Key points
- Escalation of human impact over the past 300 years
- How the earth change under this impact
o Climate change, deforestation, water pollution
- Not a certain fixed starting point; industrial revolution
- Consequences are not fully known, long term risks including a continued
departure of the climate from what is considered “natural.”
è Humans have become a force of nature that alters the functioning the earth systems.
è An era of global environmental shifts of unprecedented speed and scale has started
(Hamilton, Bonneuil and Gemenne, 2015).
1.1.2 Franchini: The challenges of the Anthropocene
The article reflects on how international environmental policy institutions are falling
short in the face of the Anthropocene, and argues that we need to shift from
“environmental politics” (piecemeal, issue-based cooperation) to a more
ambitious global governance model.
,It highlights the mismatch between accelerating environmental degradation (especially
of planetary boundaries) and the relatively limited cooperative, institutional response
so far. The authors propose new premises for how governance should evolve,
including changes in how states think about sovereignty, and how international
cooperation is structured.
Structure
- Planetary boundaries & the Anthropocene challenge
It explains the notion of planetary boundaries (following Rockström et al. etc.) limits
within which human operations should stay to avoid catastrophic Earth system
changes. It describes how in recent decades global environmental pressures have put
these boundaries under threat.
- Analysis of existing international environmental institutions/regimes
The regimes are many (climate change, biodiversity), but they are fragmented: each
tends to focus on specific issue areas rather than integrated responses.
The paper reviews how cooperative mechanisms have been developed over the last
40+ years and yet argues that these are insufficient in the Anthropocene.
- Limits of current institutional structures & proposals for future
governance
They point out that many powerful actors (states, especially large, emerging or great
powers) tend to act in “sovereigntist” ways: prioritizing national interests, short-term
gains over long-term collective risk. This “conservative hegemony” is an obstacle.
1.2 Reflection Questions
The Anthropocene challenges established academic disciplines to reimagine their
thinking and knowledge. Based on the texts that you have read so far, please critically
reflect on the following questions.
Define the Anthropocene in your own words. When did it begin?
The Anthropocene is a proposed new geological period in which human influence has
become the primary force determining the functioning of the Earth and its ecosystems.
It encompasses not just local effects, but global changes such as climate change,
biodiversity loss, and pollution. There is debate about its exact starting point: some
place it at the Industrial Revolution (18th–19th centuries), when the large-scale
combustion of fossil fuels began. Others argue that it truly became apparent after 1945
during the "Great Acceleration” when population growth, consumption, and
technological development exploded.
Why does the Anthropocene matter for international politics? What are the
implications for policy-makers?
The Anthropocene demonstrates that environmental problems no longer respect
national borders. Climate change, ocean acidification, and air pollution are global
issues that require cooperation. For international politics, this means: States must
recognize that environmental policy is integrally linked to the economy, security, and
social stability. Classic concepts such as sovereignty are being challenged because
global problems require collective solutions.
,Policymakers are faced with the task of developing new forms of global governance
that go beyond voluntary treaties and can respond more effectively to rapid, large-scale
changes.
What are the limits of our current system and way of thinking?
Policy fragmentation: International treaties are often thematic (climate, biodiversity,
oceans), while problems are closely intertwined.
Short-term logic: Politics and economics are usually focused on immediate profit or
election cycles, while ecological processes span generations.
Inequality: Rich countries historically contribute most to environmental pollution, but
poor countries often suffer the brunt of the consequences. This hinders fair and
effective cooperation.
What actions can you personally take to make yourself a stronger planetary
steward and to support sustainability on Earth?
Way of living: Reducing consumption, waste, energy use, and transport footprint. For
example: cycling more often, eating less meat, choosing circular products.
Awareness and education: Informing yourself and others about ecological issues and
their connections to politics, economics, and social justice.
Political involvement: Actively supporting parties, movements, or policy initiatives that
prioritize sustainability.
Community level: Participating in local initiatives such as sharing platforms, energy
cooperatives, or nature restoration projects.
2. Global Environmental Challenges
(video)
Finding global and local solutions
Covid-crisis showed us health & economy are global problems, people are highly
depended and cannot shield us from the world
, Mega trends: set the context in which we organize
our society & economy, they go beyond the
environment
Why is it difficult? What are the solutions?
- Growing world population since 1950s. If we
are not using a different consumption pattern we are
using more & more resources (not sustainable).
Crucial factor of resource use: energy (coal, gas, ..)
GHG emitted and effects climate change (need low
carbon alternatives if we want to have C02 neutral in
2030). Massive challenges; fundamental change of
production & consumption patterns, adaptions of
infrastructure investments, reduce energy
consumption, low carbon alternatives or capture the
emissions è different mega trends are related and
environmental problems can only be addressed in
conjunction with societal & economic changes
Energy use patterns are changing & differences between continents. Use of more
resources like water with the growing population (city use), more fertilizers soared. è
developments of today that creates more problems today than in the past
!!! crucial to address global environmental problems: Stockholm resilience institute =
planetary boundaries: safe operating place of the planet. Not able to turn it back
We are facing a number of risks (by
World Economic Form) who are
likely to occur & very impactful are
environmental problems, urgent
challenges: social, economic &
environmental at the same time.
Some solutions are not affective
enough to address the problems
Challenges
(only the trajectories, which became before another but not exact years)
Learning Objectives
Deepen understanding of the complexity and severity of environmental problems.
Trigger interest in studying global environmental politics.
Master the concept of planetary boundaries.
Core Messages
We face a number of complex and urgent sustainability challenges.
The challenges are environmental, societal, and economic at the same time.
Addressing the challenges requires fundamental societal and economic
transformations.
1. Welcome to the Anthropocene
1.1 Reading
1.1.1 Crutzen: Geology of mankind
Crutzen argues that humanity has so altered the Earth's nature that we have entered
a new geological era: the Anthropocene. In this era, humans through industry,
agriculture, transportation, urbanization, and so on have become a dominant force in
the Earth's very functioning.
Key points
- Escalation of human impact over the past 300 years
- How the earth change under this impact
o Climate change, deforestation, water pollution
- Not a certain fixed starting point; industrial revolution
- Consequences are not fully known, long term risks including a continued
departure of the climate from what is considered “natural.”
è Humans have become a force of nature that alters the functioning the earth systems.
è An era of global environmental shifts of unprecedented speed and scale has started
(Hamilton, Bonneuil and Gemenne, 2015).
1.1.2 Franchini: The challenges of the Anthropocene
The article reflects on how international environmental policy institutions are falling
short in the face of the Anthropocene, and argues that we need to shift from
“environmental politics” (piecemeal, issue-based cooperation) to a more
ambitious global governance model.
,It highlights the mismatch between accelerating environmental degradation (especially
of planetary boundaries) and the relatively limited cooperative, institutional response
so far. The authors propose new premises for how governance should evolve,
including changes in how states think about sovereignty, and how international
cooperation is structured.
Structure
- Planetary boundaries & the Anthropocene challenge
It explains the notion of planetary boundaries (following Rockström et al. etc.) limits
within which human operations should stay to avoid catastrophic Earth system
changes. It describes how in recent decades global environmental pressures have put
these boundaries under threat.
- Analysis of existing international environmental institutions/regimes
The regimes are many (climate change, biodiversity), but they are fragmented: each
tends to focus on specific issue areas rather than integrated responses.
The paper reviews how cooperative mechanisms have been developed over the last
40+ years and yet argues that these are insufficient in the Anthropocene.
- Limits of current institutional structures & proposals for future
governance
They point out that many powerful actors (states, especially large, emerging or great
powers) tend to act in “sovereigntist” ways: prioritizing national interests, short-term
gains over long-term collective risk. This “conservative hegemony” is an obstacle.
1.2 Reflection Questions
The Anthropocene challenges established academic disciplines to reimagine their
thinking and knowledge. Based on the texts that you have read so far, please critically
reflect on the following questions.
Define the Anthropocene in your own words. When did it begin?
The Anthropocene is a proposed new geological period in which human influence has
become the primary force determining the functioning of the Earth and its ecosystems.
It encompasses not just local effects, but global changes such as climate change,
biodiversity loss, and pollution. There is debate about its exact starting point: some
place it at the Industrial Revolution (18th–19th centuries), when the large-scale
combustion of fossil fuels began. Others argue that it truly became apparent after 1945
during the "Great Acceleration” when population growth, consumption, and
technological development exploded.
Why does the Anthropocene matter for international politics? What are the
implications for policy-makers?
The Anthropocene demonstrates that environmental problems no longer respect
national borders. Climate change, ocean acidification, and air pollution are global
issues that require cooperation. For international politics, this means: States must
recognize that environmental policy is integrally linked to the economy, security, and
social stability. Classic concepts such as sovereignty are being challenged because
global problems require collective solutions.
,Policymakers are faced with the task of developing new forms of global governance
that go beyond voluntary treaties and can respond more effectively to rapid, large-scale
changes.
What are the limits of our current system and way of thinking?
Policy fragmentation: International treaties are often thematic (climate, biodiversity,
oceans), while problems are closely intertwined.
Short-term logic: Politics and economics are usually focused on immediate profit or
election cycles, while ecological processes span generations.
Inequality: Rich countries historically contribute most to environmental pollution, but
poor countries often suffer the brunt of the consequences. This hinders fair and
effective cooperation.
What actions can you personally take to make yourself a stronger planetary
steward and to support sustainability on Earth?
Way of living: Reducing consumption, waste, energy use, and transport footprint. For
example: cycling more often, eating less meat, choosing circular products.
Awareness and education: Informing yourself and others about ecological issues and
their connections to politics, economics, and social justice.
Political involvement: Actively supporting parties, movements, or policy initiatives that
prioritize sustainability.
Community level: Participating in local initiatives such as sharing platforms, energy
cooperatives, or nature restoration projects.
2. Global Environmental Challenges
(video)
Finding global and local solutions
Covid-crisis showed us health & economy are global problems, people are highly
depended and cannot shield us from the world
, Mega trends: set the context in which we organize
our society & economy, they go beyond the
environment
Why is it difficult? What are the solutions?
- Growing world population since 1950s. If we
are not using a different consumption pattern we are
using more & more resources (not sustainable).
Crucial factor of resource use: energy (coal, gas, ..)
GHG emitted and effects climate change (need low
carbon alternatives if we want to have C02 neutral in
2030). Massive challenges; fundamental change of
production & consumption patterns, adaptions of
infrastructure investments, reduce energy
consumption, low carbon alternatives or capture the
emissions è different mega trends are related and
environmental problems can only be addressed in
conjunction with societal & economic changes
Energy use patterns are changing & differences between continents. Use of more
resources like water with the growing population (city use), more fertilizers soared. è
developments of today that creates more problems today than in the past
!!! crucial to address global environmental problems: Stockholm resilience institute =
planetary boundaries: safe operating place of the planet. Not able to turn it back
We are facing a number of risks (by
World Economic Form) who are
likely to occur & very impactful are
environmental problems, urgent
challenges: social, economic &
environmental at the same time.
Some solutions are not affective
enough to address the problems
