China Climate Envr Politics

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

China surpassed the United States as the world’s leading national driver of environmental change – from global warming to deforestation and biodiversity loss – almost two decades ago, and its impacts continue to grow. With nearly a third of annual global greenhouse gas emissions and an environmental footprint stretching across the full spectrum of problems, Beijing is critical to finding and implementing solutions. But given increasingly complicated bilateral politics, how should the United States, other governments, and non-government actors approach China? What are their positions and what factors drive decision making in Beijing? This interactive seminar will use multiple lenses – history and culture, economics and politics, science and technology, foreign policy, and comparative studies, particularly with the United States – to explore those questions, with a particular focus on climate change. It is designed to teach practitioners and analysts – be they practicing or aspiring diplomats, journalists, academics, environmental specialists, or others – to think critically about China’s climate and environmental policies and how the United States and other actors attempt to exert influence. We begin by studying China’s domestic context, focusing on how its history, cultural traditions, and economic and political systems have shaped regulations. We then review both U.S. climate policies and challenges to meeting U.S. topline climate commitments. During the second half of the semester, we focus on efforts to shift Beijing’s behavior, studying bilateral engagements and tools the United States and others might use going forward. Beyond building knowledge, the class will emphasize clear writing and effective persuasion, both essential skills for creating change. Students will participate in two one-hour writing seminars and produce both editorial-style articles and diplomatic “cable-style” memos. Throughout the semester, we will use real-life case studies and mock negotiations.