Updated with revised material and a new chapter assessing the future, this is a comprehensive introduction to the process and politics of global environmental policy making. Although discussions about the global environment are now a daily occurrence, it remains a topic plagued by misinformation and ideologically skewed arguments. For nearly twenty years, ''Global Environmental Politics'' has provided an up-to-date, accurate and unbiased introduction to the world's most pressing environmental issues, and the fifth edition continues this tradition. Offering a comprehensive yet concise overview of the environment and international politics, this updated edition includes new material on the latest international environmental regimes, the increasing problems that water quality and water scarcity are creating in the political arena, and the growing role of the environment in global security. It is vital reading for anyone wishing to understand the current state of the field and to make informed decisions about which policies might best safeguard our environment for the future.