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Cottier, Thomas; Shariff, Nashina --- "International trade and climate change" [2013] ELECD 642; in Van Calster, Geert; Prévost, Denise (eds), "Research Handbook on Environment, Health and the WTO" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2013) 413

Book Title: Research Handbook on Environment, Health and the WTO

Editor(s): Van Calster, Geert; Prévost, Denise

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781847208972

Section: Chapter 14

Section Title: International trade and climate change

Author(s): Cottier, Thomas; Shariff, Nashina

Number of pages: 35

Abstract/Description:

Climatic changes over time have been a major factor influencing human history and civilization. From the fall of the Mayan Empire to the collapse of the Mesopotamians, changing patterns of temperature and precipitation have influenced the fate of regions and kingdoms. Perhaps more than we know, the history of international trade has been influenced by climatic changes, inducing the rise and fall of global trading centers throughout the history of mankind. International trading regimes from barter trade to mercantilism and the ideals of free trade all had to cope with such changes in nature. In modern times the exploitation of fossil fuels that enabled the industrial revolution and has fueled economic growth thereafter has led humanity to a juncture where societies are not only affected by but also have effects on the climate. The result is that the intersection of trade rules and climate change will be of increasing importance in the years to come. They not only need to cope with natural climatic changes, but also to address man-made causes of climate change and its repercussions.