Topics for Second Essay

Papers Due November 21

Choose among the following topics:

1. Why is there still chronic hunger in an age of food abundance? What needs to be done so that every person can enjoy sufficient quantities of safe, sustainably produced food?

2. When people are asked to name something that might be done to tackle environmental challenges, the answer is often “education.” What does that answer even mean? What kinds of environmental education matter or are important, given the severity of the environmental situation?

3. Some commentators suggest that environmental NGOs should focus increasingly on human development and human rights concerns. Other commentators have suggested that environmental NGOs are better off focusing strictly on environmental issues. Who is right? Does it make sense politically or strategically to separate environmental and human development challenges?

4. Intergovernmental talks are scheduled in Durban, South Africa, for November-December 2011, to consider a post-Kyoto climate change agreement. Your task is to prepare a briefing paper for the US negotiating team. Consider, what is the scientific and political background to the Durban talks? What is at stake? What should the US position be on the key issues likely to emerge at the Durban negotiations?

See your syllabus for further essay guidelines. Remember, your essay should make a strong ARGUMENT; it should be carefully and completely REFERENCED; and it should show lots of evidence of deep, sustained ENGAGEMENT with the texts we’ve been using in class, and with authoritative supplementary outside sources.