The diagram starts out by presenting the concept of climate change as the main starting point. In addition, this node states that the problem of climate change is a collective action problem as it involves the both the many nations that are a part of the United Nations (UN) as well as the ones that are not. The diagram then focuses on depicting the result of climate change. Specifically, the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit was conducted in 2009 as a way to answer this collective action problem. Unfortunately, the nature of this summit was not entirely altruistic. This thought leads to the next node in the diagram, which details the ethical questions that came from actions during the summit. Due to the fact that billions of dollars will be redirected as a result of the summit negotiations, various entities were involved in nefarious behavior. The primary UN member nation that was involved in this type of behavior was the United States (US). The next two nodes depict the actions of United States during this summit. The first of these nodes covers the US State Department requesting human intelligence on other members of the UN from the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The second US node is more expansive as it influences other nations. This node details the ethical questions that come from the financial aid the US promised to nations that were not interested in supporting the proposed changes. Finally, the last node in the diagram depicts efforts involving spearfishing attempts on US diplomats to China.
I do not believe that the cables sent by the US State Department should have been made public. While requesting human intelligence on other members of the UN does raise ethical questions as to how the US conducts itself diplomatically, I think that this sort action is necessary for a level playing field. This fact is further apparent when taking into consideration the actions of others against the US. The reading addresses spearfishing attacks against the US diplomats to China. However, this only highlights a small percentage of the actual attacks performed by nations ranging from Russia to Venezuela. I do not believe that the US should essentially have tied hands when this amount of reform and assets are involved. In the clearest sense, this type activity is also a collective action problem. I do believe that the US should continue to conduct climate change diplomacy as it has been. However, if a binding agreement could be made by members that would have harsh consequences for espionage, it would lead to a more ethical summit and future talks in general. I do not believe that the financial aid should be taken into consideration though. While nations should strive to do what they can to make a difference, climate change is not the chief concern of many. In light of this, financial aid seems to be one of the tools wealthier nations can use. However, when this aid directly relates to humanitarian efforts or anything else that would influence loss of life, I believe it should not be used.
2 thoughts on “Climate Diplomacy – Brenton McDonald”
Hey Brenton, My name is Alyssa and I truly enjoyed your post. Here is a link to my blog if you are interested, https://wp.me/p3RCAy-e4C
In my post, I disagreed and thought that the world should have know about these cables. However, I thought that your argument that they should not have been leaked was very interesting as well. I have never though about it that way. I think, depending on how your ethics line up and what you believe plays a great role in what you think should have happened within these events. I liked your post, and your diagram was very organized.
Hi Brenton, my name is Ryan and a link to my blog is here.(http://geog030.dutton.psu.edu/2016/04/08/module-9-climate-change-7/)
I chose your post because your diagram was different then mine in the points we made. I agree with you that I think the links should not of been made public. I also believe ethical questions are raised when learning about the United States actions regarding the Copenhagen Accord. I do agree with you that giving financial aid or bribing other nations to vote with you is not right and should not be done.
Hey Brenton, My name is Alyssa and I truly enjoyed your post. Here is a link to my blog if you are interested, https://wp.me/p3RCAy-e4C
In my post, I disagreed and thought that the world should have know about these cables. However, I thought that your argument that they should not have been leaked was very interesting as well. I have never though about it that way. I think, depending on how your ethics line up and what you believe plays a great role in what you think should have happened within these events. I liked your post, and your diagram was very organized.
Hi Brenton, my name is Ryan and a link to my blog is here.(http://geog030.dutton.psu.edu/2016/04/08/module-9-climate-change-7/)
I chose your post because your diagram was different then mine in the points we made. I agree with you that I think the links should not of been made public. I also believe ethical questions are raised when learning about the United States actions regarding the Copenhagen Accord. I do agree with you that giving financial aid or bribing other nations to vote with you is not right and should not be done.