As the world's largest polluter and its wealthiest country, the United States has a potentially enormous impact on international efforts to protect the environment. In this innovative and thought-provoking book, an international group of scholars examines how U.S. foreign policy affects and is affected by global environmental change.

Covering three broad areas—national security and geopolitics, domestic and international politics, and national interests and international obligations—the contributors examine a host of key issues, including ozone depletion and climate change, biodiversity and whale hunting, environmental and energy security, and international trade. They also raise moral issues associated with the United States's obligations to the rest of humanity. Because the environment has become an ever-more pressing issue at the diplomatic level, this book is essential, timely reading for policymakers, activists, and anyone interested in environmental change and international relations.

Paul G. Harris is Chair Professor of Global and Environmental Studies at the Education University of Hong Kong.www.paulgharris.net

Preface

Part I: Introduction 1. International Environmental Affairs and U.S. Foreign PolicyPaul G. Harris

Part II: National Security and Geopolitics 2. New Priorities in U.S. Foreign Policy: Defining and Implementing Environmental SecurityBraden Allenby

3. Environmental Security and U.S. Foreign Policy: A Critical ExaminationJon Barnett

4. Geopolitics, Energy, and Ecology: U.S. Foreign Policy and the Caspian SeaDouglas W. Blum

Part III: Domestic and International Politics
5. Evolution of the Ozone Regime: Local, National, and International InfluencesSrini Sitaraman

6. U.S. Foreign Policy and the Ocean Environment: A Case of Executive Branch DominanceJohn Barkdull

7. Business conflict and U.S. International Environmental Policy: Ozone, Climate, and BiodiversityRobert Falkner

8. Multilateral Development Banks, Environmental Impact Assessments, and Nongovernmental Organizations in U.S. Foreign PolicyMorten Boas

9. Environmental Sanctions in U.S. Foreign PolicyElizabeth R. DeSombre

10. The International Whaling Regime and U.S. Foreign PolicyKristen M. Fletcher

Part IV: National Interests and International Obligations11. Environment, Security, and Human Suffering: What Should the United States Do?Paul G. Harris

Contributors

Index