More Maple Leaf, Less CO2: The International System and Canada’s Role in a Global Geo-Engineering Regime

• Published in: Canadian Foreign Policy Journal
• Main Authors: Ferrari, Lisa, Chalecki, Elizabeth L.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Sound Ideas 2012
• Subjects: geo-engineering; climate change; Canadian foreign policy; unipolarity; Arctic; Climate change
• Online Access: https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/faculty_pubs/770; https://doi.org/10.1080/11926422.2012.674385

While US-led unipolarity may still be the guiding frame for post-Cold War international economic, political, and military relations, we argue that its applicability to global science and environmental issues is waning. We begin by discussing the global problem of anthropogenic climate change, and the technologies involved in geo-engineering as one possible response. We then recognize both the abundance of oil in Alberta and the near-term melting of the Arctic as critical inputs into Canadian climate change policy. Finally, we examine Canada's abilities and resources as a middle power to act as a foreign policy leader in the formation of a global geo-engineering regime.