Changing Climate Politics

Yael Wolinsky-Nahmias is an Associate Professor of the Practice in Environmental Studies and Political Science at the University of Southern California. She has written on environmental politics, climate change, and international relations and is the co-editor of Cases, Numbers, Models: International Relations Research Methods, a widely adopted book that examines different approaches to the study of international relations. She previously taught at Northwestern University, where she was the Director of the Environmental Policy and Culture Program.

1. Introduction: Global Climate Politics - Yael Wolinsky-Nahmias Part I. Changing Climate Policies in the United States 2. The Limits of National Climate Policy Making and the Role of the Courts - Kirsten H. Engel 3. A New Era in States' Climate Policies? - Barry G. Rabe 4. Climate Policy Innovation in American Cities - Rachel M. Krause Part II. Civic Society and Climate Change 5. Explaining Public Conflict and Consensus on the Climate - Dennis Chong 6. The US National Climate Change Movement - Robert J. Brulle 7. Environmental Policies on the Ballot - Diana Forster and Daniel A. Smith 8. Consumer Political Action on Climate Change - Lauren Copeland and Eric R. A. N. Smith 9. The Politics of Urgent Transition - Thomas Princen

"Changing Climate Politics: US Policies and Civic Action edited by Yael Wolinsky-Nahmias is an excellent book for teaching university courses on environmental politics. The book's design is very useful for classroom discussion. It first provides an overview of the institutional structure of policymaking and then moves on to the less formal civil society influences on environmental policy. The book is well written and interesting. I highly recommend it." -- Matt Evans "Given congressional inability to address climate change, it would be easy to conclude that the United States is destined to fail at this greatest of environmental challenges. But this timely volume demonstrates that civil society, the courts, local and state governments are all exhibiting important, fascinating change and innovation. In addition to offering a much-needed update on policy innovation at judicial, state and municipal levels, Changing Climate Politics offers a comprehensive account of civil society's role. This ranges from public opinion and movement politics to ballot-box environmental policy and political consumerism. These chapters are all as readable as they are informative, making Changing Climate Politics a key text for practitioners and students alike." -- Daniel Press "Wolinsky-Nahmias has assembled an outstanding group of contributors who collectively provide an excellent introduction to the complex fabric of US climate change politics. In examining a range of initiatives across different governmental jurisdictions and in the realm of civil society, the volume captures the diverse patterns, textures, and dimensions of the American political debate around this important topic." -- Michele M. Betsill