| The Pew Center on Global Climate Change was | | | | amounts of energy resources (Balaam 460). Over |
| established in 1998 as a non-profit, non-partisan | | | | the last hundred years, the countries that are |
| and independent organization whose mission is to | | | | now industrialized have become so at the cost of |
| address global warming (Pew). Alongside the | | | | the environment. A key environmental problem is |
| creation of the Pew Center was the Business | | | | in regards to growth in developing nations and |
| Environmental Leadership Council (BELC). BELC | | | | there effect on environmental problems. This is a |
| was created in the belief that businesses must | | | | key reason why the Bush administration hasn't |
| develop efficient and effective solutions in | | | | signed the Kyoto Protocol; the protocol doesn't |
| addressing the climate problem. BELC has grown | | | | call for an equal proportion of emission reductions |
| into the largest U.S. based association of | | | | for industrialized and developing nations. However, |
| corporations focused on addressing climate | | | | developing nations counter and say that they |
| change. It currently consists of forty-one | | | | would mean vast amounts of international aid in |
| members representing $2 trillion in market | | | | order to economically and industrially prosper and |
| capitalization and over three million employees | | | | curb emissions at the same time. It is interesting |
| (BELC). Many sectors are included, such as oil, gas, | | | | to note "Many of the newly industrialized countries |
| transportation, utilities, chemicals, and many more. | | | | (NICs), such as China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, |
| Many well known companies are part of BELC, | | | | and India among other, have also been criticized |
| including: Boeing, BP, GE, Hewlett-Packard | | | | for their failure to take the environment into |
| Company, IBM, Intel, Lockheed Martin, Maytag, | | | | account (Balaam 460). |
| Novartis, Toyota, and many other companies with | | | | Thus, one can see that the Pew Center must |
| tremendous market influence (BELC). It is | | | | address the climate issue globally and that BELC is |
| extremely interesting to note that the Pew | | | | needed in order to actually accomplish the |
| Center doesn't receive money from the | | | | reduction of greenhouse gases. What the Pew |
| companies of the BELC. Instead, it receives its | | | | Center has done is put together a group of many |
| money from The Pew Charitable Trusts ("Pew | | | | top companies that operate in many countries. |
| Charitable"). The Pew Center and BELC companies | | | | Because the Pew Center's goal is addressing global |
| hold four core beliefs. First, they accept the views | | | | climate change, having all of these top companies |
| of most scientists that enough is known about | | | | pledging to do there part makes the Pew Center |
| climate change to finally do something about it. | | | | more credible and puts them at an advantage |
| Second, businesses can and should establish and | | | | over other environmental groups because it has |
| meet emission requirements, invest in new, more | | | | ties to these forty-one companies that represent |
| efficient products, practices, and technologies. | | | | over $2 trillion in market capitalization. As Alcan |
| Third, they recognize that The Kyoto Protocol is | | | | illustrated, these companies are actually doing their |
| the first step in the international process. They | | | | part in curbing emissions while still maintaining |
| believe that the countries that have joined the | | | | economic growth. |
| Protocol must implement the market-based | | | | After extensive research, it's fair to say there |
| mechanisms that are written into the Treaty. And | | | | are no major critics of The Pew Center on Global |
| lastly, they believe that significant progress can be | | | | Climate Change. As a matter of fact, a Pew |
| made in both addressing climate change and | | | | Center quote was used to debunk a critic of |
| sustaining economic growth in the United States | | | | global warming in a PBS article. A huge critic of |
| (BELC). Before getting into the transnational | | | | global warming is Petr Chylek, Professor of |
| controversy that the Pew Center and BELC is | | | | Physics and Atmospheric Science at Dalhousie |
| engaged in, examining the problem of global | | | | University in Halifx, Nova Scotia. He wrote |
| warming is needed to understand the context and | | | | "Scientists who want to attract attention to |
| scope of the issue. | | | | themselves, who want to attract great funding to |
| Global Warming is a huge problem threatening the | | | | themselves, have to (find a) way to scare the |
| very existence of our species on this planet. In | | | | public...and this you can achieve only by making |
| 2002, the Pentagon predicted that a sudden | | | | things bigger and more dangerous than they really |
| change in the Earth's climate could cause | | | | are" ("Debating"). The PBS article used this quote |
| Prolonged droughts in northern Europe and the | | | | from the Pew Center to debunk Professor |
| United States [that would] lead to acute food and | | | | Chylek |
| water shortages, while typhoons and hurricanes | | | | Addressing climate change is no simple task. To |
| devastate low-lying regions like Bangladesh. Africa | | | | protect ourselves, our economy, and our land |
| is crippled by disease and famine; southern Europe | | | | from the adverse effects of climate change, we |
| is flooded with millions of refuges; in the Persian | | | | must ultimately dramatically reduce emissions of |
| Gulf, Chinese and U.S. naval forces square off | | | | carbon dioxide and other greenhouse |
| over access to Saudi oil fields. (Goodell 132) | | | | gases...shifting away from a century's legacy of |
| This is what our own government believes will | | | | unrestrained fossil fuel use and its associated |
| happen if the Earth's temperature goes up a | | | | emissions in pursuit of more efficient and |
| couple of degrees! Ross Gelbspan points out that | | | | renewable sources of energy. Such a |
| since the start of industrialization in the 19th | | | | transformation will require society to engage in a |
| century, the human thirst for fossil fuels has | | | | concerted effort, over the near and long-term, to |
| gotten to the point where most scientists believe | | | | seek out opportunities and design actions to |
| that global temperatures have risen at least 1 | | | | reduce greenhouse gas emissions. ("Debating") |
| degree Fahrenheit over the last century ("Boiling" | | | | Most outsiders and environmental groups see the |
| 24-27). In addition, the evidence shows that | | | | Pew Center as a step in the right direction. They |
| carbon dioxide levels have increased from 280 | | | | also view the BELC as a collection of companies |
| parts per million (ppm) over the last hundred | | | | who are trying to make a difference. There are |
| years to about 380ppm today ("Denial" 16a). That | | | | always going to be environmentalists so out of |
| means that within the next hundred years, if we | | | | touch with reality that they believe every single |
| keep up our pace, carbon dioxide levels will go up | | | | industry or machine that pollutes should be |
| to a lot more than 480ppm because the amount | | | | destroyed and that every single area that is not |
| of pollutants and greenhouse gases we are using | | | | used by humans should be reforested and |
| keeps going up and up. The Pew Center has a | | | | inhabited by animals. They don't realize the |
| policy program that does four main things to try | | | | economic catastrophe this would cause: Millions |
| to help the international and domestic community | | | | would lose jobs because the companies they |
| (the United States is responsible for 25% of global | | | | work for would be closed because they release |
| greenhouse emissions) clean up it's act. First, it | | | | emissions, millions would starve. This isn't worth |
| produces independent, non-partisan analyses of | | | | cleaner air and more animals flocking about. Never |
| global warming policy alternatives in the United | | | | mind losing jobs, because cars would be illegal, |
| States and abroad. Second, it educates key | | | | how would anybody get to work in the first |
| decision-makers about policy options. Third, it | | | | place? The emphasis is clear. This is the extreme |
| encourages the domestic and international | | | | side of the spectrum. The other extreme side is |
| community to reduce emissions of greenhouse | | | | polluting and profiting so much that eventually, the |
| gases. And lastly, they produce reports, policy | | | | planet would become financial rich but |
| briefs, working papers and Legislative | | | | uninhabitable. Thus, the Pew Center's approach is |
| Administrative Proposals (Pew). | | | | correct. Addressing the issue while sustaining |
| The Pew Center is located in Arlington, Virginia. Its | | | | economic growth is complicated but has proven |
| measures and activities extend throughout the | | | | to be possible. |
| globe, especially because global warming is an | | | | It seems that The Pew Center on Global Climate |
| issue affecting every nation. How can the world | | | | Change is a very reputable and positive |
| trust the Pew Center and BELC when the BELC | | | | organization that is using its resources to address |
| companies are comprised of so many companies | | | | global warming. The research has shown that |
| historically known to be huge polluters? This | | | | different sources all agree that both global |
| seems like a conflict of interest domestically. The | | | | warming is a huge threat and that the Pew |
| United States hasn't signed the Kyoto Protocol, | | | | Center is positively addressing it. The Pew Center |
| and the Pew Center admits "The Kyoto Protocol | | | | receives its funding from The Pew Charitable |
| is the first step in the international process" (Pew). | | | | Trusts. The Trusts will invest $204 million in fiscal |
| When the President of the Pew Center on Global | | | | year 2006 to provide organizations and citizens |
| Climate Change, Eileen Clauseen, was asked why | | | | with fact-based research and practical solutions |
| the U.S., the largest producer of carbon dioxide, | | | | for challenging issues ("Pew Charitable"). |
| has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol, her response | | | | A great deal of evidence shows that the BELC |
| was, "...no, it has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol. | | | | are actually making a difference and curbing their |
| President Bush has also made it clear that the U.S. | | | | emissions. Some companies are even exceeding |
| will not ratify the Protocol..." Clauseen goes on to | | | | Kyoto goals. Because the BELC companies openly |
| say that | | | | admit that enough is known about global warming |
| Most countries were waiting for the outcome of | | | | to address it, they actively participate in emission |
| the November meeting in The Hague before | | | | curbing activities. For example, BELC member BP |
| moving forward with ratification. They are now | | | | Amoco "plans to bring its own carbon emissions |
| awaiting decisions that might be made in Bonn. But | | | | to 10 percent below its 1990 level by 2010, |
| whether enough countries ratify it for it to enter | | | | exceeding the Kyoto goal of roughly 5 percent |
| into force is an open question. The EU has | | | | for industrial countries. ("Social"). Dupont, another |
| indicated that it will ratify, and other may as well. | | | | BELC member, has already cut its 1990 |
| It will take 55 countries representing 55 percent | | | | greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent. They |
| of developed country emissions for the treaty to | | | | plan to reduce them by 65 percent by 2010. This |
| enter into force" ("Global"). | | | | also proves that meeting the Kyoto goal is not |
| Clauseen has acknowledged that it will take a | | | | only possible, but also surpassing it is as well |
| substantial effort to reduce the current carbon | | | | ("Social"). Other BELC companies, such as Toyota |
| dioxide levels in the air. It's a complicated and | | | | and Boeing are advancing company-wide |
| controversial issue. On one hand, you have | | | | programs for reducing carbon emission. Toyota |
| developed countries reducing their emissions and | | | | was the first automaker to mass-produce a |
| finding energy alternatives. We even have the | | | | hybrid car, the Prius ("Social"). Some BELC |
| United States acknowledging the threat of global | | | | companies are also looking for alternative energy |
| warming. However, a huge problem lies within | | | | sources. BP Amoco and Dutch Shell have been |
| developing countries. These countries, located in | | | | investing heavily in new sources of energy. "BP |
| regions such as South American and Asia, will add | | | | Amoco is now a leading manufacturer of solar |
| to the carbon dioxide level as they economically | | | | cells. Shell, already a major player in both wind and |
| improve and as the standard of living for its | | | | solar cells, is also investing heavily in hydrogen and |
| people increases (Balaam 463). But this increase | | | | will likely open the world's first chain of hydrogen |
| comes at a cost. We may see a "second wave" | | | | stations in Iceland" ("Social"). |
| of industrialization sweep the developing world and | | | | With the evidence presented, it's quite evident |
| create more climate problems. Or, the | | | | that a coalition of top companies, contrary to |
| industrialized nations must help developing | | | | what one might think, are actually addressing the |
| countries economically expand without destroying | | | | global climate issue. The deeper political economic |
| the world. However, creating "green and clean" | | | | issues behind all of this include political pressure |
| infrastructure in developing nations becomes a | | | | from companies (non-BELC) that lobby hard for |
| huge monetary issue. | | | | lax industrial regulations, environmental groups that |
| The Pew Center on Global Climate Change and | | | | lobby the opposite, the need to address this issue |
| the BELC are engaged in a transnational | | | | with every single country in the world, the need |
| controversy that extends all over the globe and | | | | to unite with every country to fight this battle, |
| includes extremely poor third world countries as | | | | and lastly, addressing the climate issue while still |
| well as very rich countries. They are ultimately | | | | growing economically. There are many actors |
| trying to reduce and eliminate global warming. | | | | involved from many different perspectives. From |
| Global warming affects all nations, and all nations | | | | the industrial side, business leaders are trying to |
| have contributed to the problem. Thus, the key | | | | lobby for regulations that help them. From the |
| question is whether or not you can trust the Pew | | | | environmental side, organizations like the Pew |
| Center, and especially the BELC, in finding a | | | | Center are main actors because they are |
| solution. There are many actors involved in this | | | | independent, non-partisan, and in this case, |
| initiative. Because the United States only contains | | | | encompass many top companies that have been |
| 4% of the world's population yet emits 25% | | | | proven to take measures into their own hands |
| ("Global"), it's a huge actor because this problem is | | | | and address the global climate issue. There are |
| of global proportions. The leaders of many top | | | | other actors as well, such as researchers who are |
| businesses are also key actors because their | | | | trying to find that next big energy alternative, and |
| companies are partly responsible for the | | | | each individual, who is ultimately affected by |
| environmental problems we face. Herein lies a | | | | decisions that are made by the upper levels, |
| conflict of interest and an open door for criticism. | | | | because environmental policy and economic issues |
| Many of these top businesses are a part of the | | | | go hand in hand. In answering cui bono, one must |
| BELC. Most of these companies are huge polluters | | | | first realize that The Pew Center on Global |
| and are, according to the Pew Center and BELC, | | | | Climate Change isn't looking to make a profit; The |
| trying to cut down on their emissions and come | | | | Pew Charitable Trusts contains billions of dollars. |
| up with new alternative energy sources. How | | | | The BELC represents over $2 trillion in market |
| sincere are these companies in actually addressing | | | | capitalization and 3 million workers, so profit isn't a |
| global warming? Are they willing to accept the | | | | big deal to them. The environment benefits. The |
| financial losses associated with being 'green' and | | | | people who live on this planet benefit. When |
| 'clean'? Other actors include all the heads of | | | | addressing Global Warming and than asking cui |
| nations, NGOs, environmental and green groups, | | | | bono, the answer is "Everybody." |
| and even every single individual who makes an | | | | There are many interesting things I discovered as |
| effort to reduce pollution. | | | | I researched the Pew Center and BELC. At first, I |
| In examining the international political economy of | | | | thought that a center that is comprised of so |
| the global environment, there are four aspects of | | | | many companies that have historically been |
| environmental problems in general: "...the | | | | polluters made me think that they are in this for |
| environment as a communal good, the increasingly | | | | some kind of profit or publicity. However, as I |
| global scope of environmental problems, the | | | | dove into the information, I began to discover |
| proliferation of actors involved in these issues, and | | | | some interesting things. The Pew Center is funded |
| the multidimensional makeup and linkage between | | | | by The Pew Charitable Trusts, thus BELC |
| the immediate causes and effects of | | | | companies don't contribute at all to the Pew |
| environmental issues" (453). A very positive | | | | Center. The Pew Center and BELC have formed |
| example was when Alcan joined BELC on October | | | | a mutually advantageous relationship not centered |
| 18. "Alcan is a multinational, market-drive company | | | | on money. My research has showed that both |
| and a global leader in aluminum and | | | | The Pew Center and BELC companies heavily |
| packaging...aerospace applications, bauxite mining | | | | address the climate issue. This issue is very |
| and alumina processing" (Michaud). Alcan has had | | | | controversial to begin with. Even though all |
| great success in reducing its greenhouse gases. It | | | | scientists believe global warming is occurring, not |
| has proven that it's possible to address global | | | | all agree that it's a big threat. Some believe there |
| climate change while maintaining competitive | | | | is no need to curb economic growth to address |
| excellence, growth, and profitability. | | | | this issue. However, the Pew Center and BELC |
| The reason Alcan is such a positive example is | | | | realize that the evidence shows there really is a |
| because | | | | threat. Globally, it's a very complicated situation. |
| The principal vehicle for this effort is Alcan's GHG | | | | Poor nations don't have the means to help global |
| emissions reduction program, TARGET, which | | | | warming, and this is why a system needs to be |
| was implemented in 2001 and is a key component | | | | setup where the international community helps |
| of the Company's Environment, Health and Safety | | | | these poor nations economically advance without |
| (EHS FIRST) management system. In TARGET's | | | | destroying the environment. Industrialized nations |
| first four years, Alcan's cumulative GHG reduction | | | | must unite together to use their resources to |
| objective was set at 575,000 tonnes of CO2e. By | | | | rescue the planet from the condition The Age of |
| the end of 2004, Alcan far surpassed this by | | | | Oil put us in. At first look, when you see an |
| recording a reduction of 2.9 million tones of CO2e | | | | organization partnered up with very big |
| (Michaud) | | | | companies, you would believe that it is not a good |
| This one company, a member of BELC, set its | | | | thing for the environment. But if you look at all |
| own policy and reduced its emissions 2 million | | | | they have done over the years, you can clearly |
| tones more than its original goal! It is definitely | | | | see the BELC companies regularly exceed Kyoto |
| interesting to note that according to Anik Michaud, | | | | goals and that the Pew Center regularly pushes |
| the Pew Charitable Trusts, one of the United | | | | for greenhouse gas emissions and even gives |
| States' largest philanthropies, established the Pew | | | | proposals to the United States government that |
| Center. It has an influential voice in improving the | | | | fights this issue. |
| environment and is dedicated to providing credible | | | | Works Cited |
| information and innovative solutions to address | | | | Balaam, David N., and Michael Veseth. Introduction |
| global climate change. Maybe the Pew Center is | | | | to International Political Economy. |
| sincere in its efforts to help global warming, seeing | | | | BELC. 12 Dec. 2005. Pew Center. 13 Dec. 2005 |
| how it was actually setup by a charity. It's | | | | "Debating 'Global Warming'." 22 Apr. 2005. PBS 13 |
| important to understand some of the IPE | | | | Dec. 2005 |
| problems regarding global climate change before | | | | Gelbspan, Ross. "Our denial is at Category 5." USA |
| examining what the Pew Center has done about | | | | Today 26 Sept. 2005. |
| it. | | | | Gelbspan, Ross. "Boiling Point." Nation 8 Aug. 2005. |
| The environment has been severely abused as a | | | | Center. 23 Dec. 2005 |
| result of economic growth, industrialization, trade, | | | | Goodell, Jeff. "WAS IT GLOBAL WARMING?" |
| and investment policies of the developed nations. | | | | Rolling Stone Dec. 2005. |
| As more international trade and investment | | | | Michaud, Anik. "Alcan Joins [BELC] to address |
| occurs, more industrially manufactured products | | | | global climate change." CNW Group. 18 Oct. |
| and services are produced that require vast | | | | |