Observing the politics of climate change
Michele Betsill, associate professor of political science, studies the politics of climate change.
October 22, 2008
Tough ethical issues with no clear, easy solutions
After 14 years of observation, she has learned there are no easy answers.
Michele Betsill, associate professor of political science, takes an all-encompassing approach to studying climate change politics. She looks at all of the components - national governments, international businesses, nongovernmental organizations, the market, individual choices - on a "big-picture scale" and assesses how the pieces fit together. Or how they don't.
Politics of climate change from local to global level
"My research allows me to have a better sense of the large landscape of the politics of climate change from the local to the global level. I watch the debate about who gets what, when, and how," she explains.
"By this point, most people recognize that climate change is a problem, but what everyone is asking now is what we are going to do about it. Climate change has huge implications because it fundamentally changes the earth's natural systems. It is directly related to how we produce and use energy to meet our daily needs. Tough ethical issues arise, and there are no clear or easy solutions," says Betsill.
Interested in greenhouse gas mitigation policies
In addition to the larger context, Betsill also is interested in mitigation policies aimed at limiting greenhouse gas emissions. She hopes the United States will become a bigger player in this area after the upcoming presidential election.
"The United States has not been a leader in the international community in climate change policy. However, many state and local governments have ramped up efforts in policy creation to fill a leadership void on the federal level," she explains. "The nation is facing pressures from the international community, particularly from the European Union, and bottom-up pressure domestically to address climate change policy in this country. The time is ripe for the federal government to take action."
More U.S. leadership on climate change anticipated
As the presidential candidates from both major parties have voiced their interest in making climate change policy a top priority, and with a supportive Congress, she anticipates the United States will assume more leadership on this issue starting in 2009.
Whatever occurs, this political science professor will continue to observe the big-picture politics and to study specific mitigation strategies as the United States and the rest of the world struggle to cope with climate change.
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Originally published in the College of Liberal Arts Newsletter, Fall 2008.
Contact: Jayleen Heft
Email: Jayleen.Heft@colostate.edu
Phone Number: (970) 491-2655
