Polar Politics, Trade and other Regional Environmental Issues

The regional section covers geographical and regional topics such as the polar regions, Europe, GM foods and trade and the environment.

Polar Region Resources Antarctic Treaty System Antarctica Political History Southern Oceans Fisheries West Antarctic Ice Sheet Antarctica and Climate Change Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Oil Drilling in ANWR Arctic Ocean Ice

Climate change theory predicts the largest temperature rises at the polar regions.

The International Polar Year (2007-2008) was announced to gather scientific data documenting changes to date. Scientists express concern about the very real possibility of the total summer melting of the Arctic ice cap. Parts of Antarctica, especially the Antarctic peninsula, are also experiencing warming induced ecosystem changes.

The articles in the Polar Region Resources box provide more information about specific topics.

Trade and Environment Issues

Agriculture Trade Statistics
This article provides information about trade statistics available on the internet.

An Introduction to International Trade
Background information on international trade in the post-WWII era.

An Introduction to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
A review of the history of trade agreements in the Americas.

An Introduction to Trade and Environment Issues
An examination of the short history of trade and environment issues.

Trade and Environment Regimes
At year end 2006, legal issues concerning the relationship between trade law under WTO rules, and environmental law were unresolved.

CITES
Background information and news articles related to the Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species.

Environmental Views of the Seattle Ministerial Meeting of the WTO
Background information.

Quebec Summit of the Americas
A review of the issues discussed at the meeting.

Trade Issues Between the United States and the Europe: Biotechnology
A review of BST beef, GM foods and other contentious trade issues between the U.S. and the EU.

Trade and Agriculture
There is a long history of tension associated with agricultural trade issues.

United States and European Union Trade in GM Foods
This is a 2001 article discussing trade issues.

Miscellaneous
Mining and the Environment in the European Union
New policies related to mining and the environment in the European Union (EU) entered into force at year end 2006.

Environment and the World Bank
A review of World Bank environment policies.