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Flip to reveal answersWhat is a Multilateral Environmental Agreement (MEA)?
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All 20 Flashcards — International Environmental Agreements
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Question
What is a Multilateral Environmental Agreement (MEA)?
Answer
An agreement between three or more states to address shared environmental concerns, governed by international law.
💡 Hint
Multi = many, lateral = sides
Question
What does CITES stand for and when was it established?
Answer
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, established in 1973. It regulates international trade in threatened species.
💡 Hint
1973 — think "trade" in species
Question
What is the "free rider problem" in environmental agreements?
Answer
When nations benefit from environmental improvements made by others without contributing to the effort themselves, gaining an economic advantage.
💡 Hint
Free ride = benefit without paying
Question
What framework should you use to evaluate an international agreement in an exam?
Answer
Purpose → Mechanisms → Strengths → Limitations → Overall effectiveness. Always include specific examples and data.
💡 Hint
P-M-S-L-E framework
Question
What is the difference between a treaty, a protocol, and a convention?
Answer
A convention sets broad principles and goals. A treaty is a formal, legally binding agreement. A protocol is an addition to an existing treaty with more specific targets.
💡 Hint
Think: general → specific → update
Question
Match these agreements to their focus: Ramsar, CITES, CBD, Montreal, Paris.
Answer
Ramsar = wetlands. CITES = wildlife trade. CBD = biodiversity conservation. Montreal = ozone/CFCs. Paris = climate/temperature targets.
💡 Hint
R-C-C-M-P: Wetlands, Trade, Bio, Ozone, Climate
Question
What was the key achievement of the Montreal Protocol (1987)?
Answer
It achieved near-complete phase-out of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances, leading to recovery of the ozone layer. It is considered the most successful MEA.
💡 Hint
1987 — ozone — CFCs gone
Question
How does sovereignty limit international environmental agreements?
Answer
Sovereignty means nations can refuse to sign, withdraw from agreements, or ignore commitments without facing enforceable consequences, since there is no global authority to compel compliance.
💡 Hint
No global police for the environment
Question
Why is the Montreal Protocol considered more successful than the Paris Agreement?
Answer
Montreal had: clear science, available chemical alternatives, binding targets, universal ratification, and measurable results. Paris has voluntary pledges, no alternatives to fossil fuels yet, and emissions continue to rise.
💡 Hint
Compare: clear science + alternatives = success
Question
What is the main goal of the Paris Agreement (2015)?
Answer
To limit global average temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C, through nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
💡 Hint
2015 — 1.5 to 2°C — NDCs
Question
What is the "tragedy of the commons"?
Answer
When shared resources are overexploited because individuals or nations act in their own short-term self-interest rather than for the long-term collective good.
💡 Hint
Garrett Hardin, 1968 — shared pasture analogy
Question
Why is international cooperation needed for environmental protection?
Answer
Because pollution crosses borders, the atmosphere and oceans are global commons belonging to no single nation, and biodiversity loss requires coordinated global action.
💡 Hint
Think about what one country alone CANNOT control
Question
What is a "global commons"?
Answer
A resource that is shared by all nations and not owned by any single country, such as the atmosphere, oceans, and Antarctica.
💡 Hint
Commons = shared by all
Question
Name three climate/atmosphere agreements in chronological order.
Answer
Montreal Protocol (1987) — ozone protection. Kyoto Protocol (1997) — binding GHG targets for developed nations. Paris Agreement (2015) — universal climate pledges.
💡 Hint
1987 → 1997 → 2015
Question
What is the Kyoto Protocol and how does it differ from the Paris Agreement?
Answer
Kyoto (1997) set binding targets for developed countries only (top-down). Paris (2015) uses voluntary nationally determined contributions from ALL countries (bottom-up).
💡 Hint
Kyoto = binding + rich only. Paris = voluntary + everyone.
Question
Give an example of how the tragedy of the commons applies to climate change.
Answer
Each nation benefits economically from burning fossil fuels, but the cost (climate change) is shared globally. No single nation bears the full cost of their own emissions.
💡 Hint
Everyone pollutes, everyone suffers
Question
Name two biodiversity agreements and two climate agreements with dates.
Answer
Biodiversity: Ramsar Convention (1971), CITES (1973). Climate: Montreal Protocol (1987), Paris Agreement (2015).
💡 Hint
Bio: 1971, 1973. Climate: 1987, 2015.
Question
Name five limitations of international environmental agreements.
Answer
1) Sovereignty — nations can withdraw. 2) No global enforcement. 3) Inequity for developing nations. 4) Many targets are voluntary. 5) Political will changes with elections.
💡 Hint
S-E-I-V-P: Sovereignty, Enforcement, Inequity, Voluntary, Political
Question
What was significant about the Glasgow Climate Pact (2021)?
Answer
It was the first climate treaty to mention phasing down coal use, increased climate finance pledges for developing nations, and required annual review of national climate pledges.
💡 Hint
Glasgow = coal mentioned for first time
Question
Give two examples of transboundary environmental issues.
Answer
Acid rain from industrial pollution crossing borders; plastic pollution in international waters; climate change affecting all nations regardless of emission source.
💡 Hint
Think: what pollution does not stop at a border?
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Environmental Law
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