ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS

Environmental Politics in Germany, Japan and the United States

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Introduction

A decade of climate change negotiations almost ended in failure because of the different policy approaches of such industrialized states as Japan, Germany, and the United States. They exemplify the deep divisions that exist among states in their approaches to environmental protection. Miranda Schreurs reveals how the different approaches have arisen by presenting case studies of policy making in response to acid rain, stratospheric ozone depletion, and global climate change. The book demonstrates why looking at domestic policy making is important in understanding international environmental negotiation outcomes.

Japan, Germany, and U.S as regional leaders and larger economies have influence over the global environment and have power to impact world political scenario. They are influencing the world economics and using different tools protect themselves. This book deals with different approaches, used by Japan, Germany, and U.S, in dealing of global environmental issues, and concludes an answer in the progress of various environmental communities and procedures for policy making. In 21st century theses three countries contributed almost 50% of total world's gross national product which shows that these nations have huge power to impact global environment. They are also big consumer of natural resources and big producer of waste due to large population size and wealth. For each hundred people there are 54, 56, and 80 cars in Germany, Japan, and U.S respectively. Due to high consumption, production and waste the wildlife is facing a big threat from them. Combine Japan and U.S catches 12% of fishes of the world catch (OECD 2001).

Discussion

These countries are leading on numerous environmental issues. Their contributions in overseas funding for environmental protection are also highest in the world. Japan, U.S, France, and Germany are the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th largest official development assistance providers in the world respectively. These countries are also on the top for production and purchase of environmental services and products. In 1990, they were the largest the largest market for environmental technologies, services, and equipments with contribution of 9%, 12%, and 40% by Germany, Japan, and U.S respectively (OECD 1992). Because of technical advancement, research, development, and high technical knowledge they assist other countries for technical, financial, and knowledge support. Being a major part of Europe, Germany has strong influence over European Union and on eastern and central Europe. Similarly Japan has greater influence in Asia due its huge trading and investments. And U.S due to its strongest military and economic power has influence on all over the world. Because many developing and under developed countries are following these three nations in their environmental policies, they are Influencing by what model they present to the world. In U.S environmental groups are competing with other groups lobbying politicians and influencing public to turn their opinion. On the other side social market economics is affecting environment policy, health, and unemployment in Germany. Germany is moving in a different way from U.S with strict government regulations and higher taxes to protect environment ...