Search

Whereas the EU plays a leading role in the fight against global climactic change, the question of ratifying the Kyoto Protocol has stirred up a surprisingly intense public controversy in post-Soviet Russia. While scientists in industrialized countries are bringing pressure to bear on governments to make them adopt public policies for preventing global risks, the Russian Academy of Sciences is opposed to this. The reasons accounting for this Russian reaction are explained. The development of this controversy is examined from the viewpoint of several social actors persons, groups, institutions involved in it. Light is shed on how global and national issues interlock. The lines of cleavage and nature of the coalitions are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]