Environmental Law & Politics

Thinking locally, acting globally: intergovernmental treaties

Sometimes global action is needed to protect the local. COA students are frequent participants in a number of international negotiation meetings, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), and the UN Committee on World Food Security. Students are active both inside and outside the meeting hall as they collaborate with youth activists from around the globe. Classes on campus such as Practicing Climate Politics and Climate Justice give students a solid grounding in the content and politics so they can be effective analysts and advocates. Students who have participated in UNFCCC meetings have gone on to work for leading international NGOs and have served on the official UN delegations of various countries. Others have gone on to do legal and policy work around environmental and social issues.

Thinking globally, acting locally: conservation

Other environmental issues require local and regional efforts. COA offers classes and opportunities for students interested in conserving rivers, forests, and wilderness—the natural places that matter most to us. For example, Acadia: The National Park Idea uses neighboring Acadia National Park as a case study for understanding the challenges and rewards of managing human and natural landscapes. Coursework gives you an understanding of both local, regional, and global aspects of conservation. Relevant classes include International Wildlife Policy, Marine Policy, Our Public Lands, Whitewater/Whitepaper: River Conservation and Management, and Wildlife Ecology, all of which merge science and policy.

Connections, near and far

Acadia National Park (ANP) is not just a site for field trips, but also a partner and collaborator. Our connections with ANP serve as an entrée into an international network. COA faculty have worked for major environmental organizations like Greenpeace and the Sierra Club. Faculty and staff work with local environmental organizations such as the Frenchman Bay Conservancy, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and the Penobscot East Resource Center. Internationally, COA faculty have recently done consulting for NGOs including Third World Network, the World Wildlife Fund, CARE International, and ActionAid, and have also advised various governments. What this means is that COA faculty are on the forefront of efforts to protect the environment and are well connected with local, regional, and international organizations.

Reminder: Areas of study aren’t the only way to think about courses.  Browse and explore here.