1) Pick any G20 state and answer the following question: why does their national climate policy look the way that it does? If the country’s performance on climate change has been good, what are the political, economic, cultural and/or geopolitical factors that have allowed it to succeed? If, by contrast, its performance has been poor, what political, economic, cultural and/or geopolitical factors have caused it to fail?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-20_major_economies
It must be structured around a single thesis statement of your choosing and demonstrate a solid understanding of the subject matter.
Grading Template
Research & Comprehension
Only use sources that directly relate to topic. Use a minimum of 4 academic sources but have a total of 10 sources. They need to all be credible sources, no Wikipedia. Avoid using the same sources over and over, make sure there is a diversity of pooled sources. Make sure that it is a clear written essay showing that the writer demonstrates a strong and clear comprehension of the subject matter. Captured the complexity and nuance of the issue. Display a firm grasp of the academic material theoretical frameworks, paradigms, that are included in the outline provided.
Make sure that they are being used properly?
Development of the Argument
Ensure that the following is met when developing the argument. If it needs to change during the writing of the process that is okay, just make sure it is all-consistent.
• Has the question set out in the essay prompt been sufficiently answered?
• Is there a strong thesis? Does the thesis make an interesting claim that could be contested and disproven? Or is it banal and/or axiomatic?
• Has the thesis statement been clearly and explicitly stated? Or is it possible that someone could read the intro and still not be sure what the paper is arguing?
• Is the thesis statement the framework for the essay? Is it referred to throughout the paper?
• Have sufficient empirical examples been used to illustrate the argument?
• Is the analysis strong? Does it capture the complexity of the issue?
• Is there a sufficient amount of critical analysis of the issue? Or does it rely heavily on a rehashing of history, facts, and/or data.
• Has the essay made a choice about what are the most important points to focus on? Or is the focus overly broad?
Make sure there is Specific Content:
• Does the paper provide a good description of the state of climate politics in the selected country?
• Does it provide a good description of the current policies in place?
• Has the author properly identified the main variables influencing the county’s climate politics/policy?
Organization & Structure
All of the following requirements need to be met.
• Is there a coherent and obvious introduction, body and conclusion?
• Does the introduction provide a coherent roadmap for the argument and essay?
• Does it tell the reader how the essay will be structured? Does the introduction tell the reader what cases will be analysed? Does the introduction tell the reader what conclusions will be drawn?
• Does the conclusion adequately underscore the findings and restate the thesis? Does the conclusion provide a brief reflection that tells the reader what it all means and/or what the implications are?
• Are there signposts (e.g., sub-headings, section summaries) to help the reader follow along?
• Does the essay flow in a concise and coherent manner throughout?
• Has the essay avoided overuse of paraphrasing and summarising? Have quotes been used appropriately and sparingly? Is the author’s own voice clearly expressed?
Referencing:
Are the references and bibliography formal and consistent (has the student demonstrated they know how to use a formal referencing style in the text and bibliography – e.g., MLA
Sources need to be consistently cited where necessary, there NEEDS to be consistent in txt citations for any quotes or paraphrasing.
Make sure it does not exceed 2000 words!!
Below is the preliminary outline, use this as guidance for completing the assignment, do not veer from this outline unless it is content within the body paragraphs. Only change the topics if it is necessary to advance the paper, make it more specific, more insightful, more accurate.
My Essay topic:
My essay will address one of the G20 States, China. With regards to Climate change and Environmental Activism China was well know for its lack in participation. This is a generalization that is often made because of their very polluted air-ways, constantly growing oversized population and economic pressure as a rapidly developing country. Although China relies heavily on producing energy from coal, China’s positions on these topics have changed drastically over time. This G20 state is argued to be potentially one of the most influential players in the current global warming crisis, if not the most influential. China has recently invested heavily in their domestic markets for renewable energy as well as contributed billions of dollars to the Green Climate Fund for some of the poorer developing nations.
After analysing the aftermath of the Stockholm Declaration, the Kyoto Protocol and the Copenhagen Conference there was a spark of engagement due to its eye opening failures. The Kyoto system had neglected to convey a quick efficient system of emission stoppage. The system’s protocols vaguely relate to the pressing environmental changes that are needed, the protocol sought to influence the leading emitters of green house gases and all their sources. Its weak infrastructure is what has lead to the small incremental progress we witnessed up until today. Since May 1998, China has become part of a list of counties that were part of the Annex 1 list. Annex 1 countries are considered industrialized countries that have developing economies that are in transition. China, which as of now positions second on the planet’s CO2 discharge list, is anticipated to pass the United States at somewhere around 2025 and 2030 as the biggest emitter of carbon dioxide.
Recent activisms lead to another collective effort of over 130 world leaders, this effort was held in France and know as the Paris agreement. China Provided an Energy Development Strategy Action Plan (2014-2020) that would commence the start of a environmentally friendly movement and new attitude nation wide. Their realisation for the potential economic booms through new renewable energy investments stuck Chinas interest. Throughout this analysis we will take a close look and the political and economic influences it will also look closely at the cultural and geopolitical influences. All factors need to be weighed in when properly evaluating a national climate policy.
My research question:.
What economic and political constraints have been limiting Chinas success as a potential leader with regards to reduction in carbon emissions?
My preliminary thesis statement:
This paper will analyze China’s national climate policy as a G20state, it will fully expose the inconsistent infrastructural issues that permit China from engaging in potential monumental renewable energy resources.
My basic essay structure:
Précis (400 words)
• Background of treaties
• Provide history for all conventions
Introductory paragraphs (2):
• Begin to discuss china’s involvement
o Attitudes through out conventions
o Commitments that were made
– Thesis –
Research compression
• Expose of china’s history
o What followed through
• Section dedicated to covering modern developments dating back to 2000
o Date back to 1st investments in renewable
• Relate this data to theoretical frameworks
o Talk about how exposes a little of every theory (Realism, Liberalism Institutionalism, Constructivism, Marxism)
Argument 1: Why do non-sustainable sources take priority?
• Prices
o Analyze infrastructural advantages
o How much cheaper it is
• Accessibility
o Short term positives vs long term
o What would investments look like
• Laws & regulation
o Domestic policy
o International policy
o What has the most effective persuasion
Argument 2: What are current sources of renewable energy
• Prices
o Analyze infrastructural disadvantages
o How much cheaper it is
• Accessibility
o Short term positives vs long term
o What would investments look like
• Laws & regulation
o Domestic policy
o International policy
o What has the most effective persuasion
Argument 3: How are renewable sources of energy regarded in China
• Public opinion
o High level of support?
o Generational divide?
• Corporate opinion
o Is it considered a negative
o Is it held with a positive attitude for expansion
Conclusion
• Restate thesis
• Make statement to which 1/2 theory’s best describe their actions
• Make projections for the future of renewable energy sources