Transcript Current Events in the European Union

Current Events in the
European Union
November 2009
1. The Copenhagen Climate Summit
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Members of the United
Nations will be meeting to
discuss strategies for
minimizing the negative
effects of climate change
The meeting will be held
from December 7th – 18th in
Copenhagen, Denmark
The nations of the E.U. will
need to come to an
agreement on several key
issues that will be discussed
at this conference
E.U. leaders will meet with President Obama and
other world leaders at the Climate Change
Summit in Copenhagen
How does this affect Europe?
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The E.U. has already committed itself to cut CO2 (carbon
dioxide) and other greenhouse gas emissions 25-40% by 2020
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Many of the wealthy nations of the E.U. would like to give more
money to developing nations around the world to help them cut
their CO2 emissions
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What effect would this have on the cost of doing business in the
EU?
Should the less wealthy members of the E.U. be forced to
contribute to this effort?
Some members of the E.U. would like to see tighter regulation
of greenhouse gasses produced by international shipping and
aviation
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What effect would tighter regulations have on the cost of shipping
or travel?
Pros and Cons of the Copenhagen
proposals
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Pro
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May help combat climate
change in Europe and
around the world
Wealthy nations of the
world have a responsibility
to help poorer nations (ex.
China, India, Brazil, Russia,
Mexico) combat climate
change
Sets a good example for
other nations to follow
Will help create “green
jobs” in Europe
Con
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Carbon caps could cause a
financial hardship for many
top European businesses
Some of the poorer nations
of the E.U. don’t want to
give money to nations like
China or Russia who are
much wealthier by
comparison
Caps on CO2 from shipping
and aviation could hurt
trade in many European
countries
2. Iceland’s Membership Bid
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The government of Iceland
has recently launched a bid
to become a member of the
European Union
There is great disagreement
amongst the member states
of the European Union
about Iceland’s membership
Icelanders are divided on
the issue of joining the E.U.
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Protesters outside the Icelandic Parliament call for
the resignation of Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde in
November 2008
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44% of Icelanders said they
don’t trust the E.U.
Only 26% favor E.U.
membership
30% are undecided
Why would Iceland want to join?
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Iceland needs financial help after the economic crisis of 2008
– The Krona (Iceland’s currency) has lost much of it’s value since
last fall
– Many multinational businesses have left Iceland (ex. McDonalds)
– Many of Iceland’s banks and financial institutions have collapsed
E.U. membership would create new markets for natural resources and
industrial goods from Iceland
– Iceland is the world’s #1 producer of Aluminum
– Icelandic businesses would have access to nearly 500 million
customers all across Europe
– The Icelandic people would also have access to goods from
Europe with minimum restrictions
E.U. membership would help boost Iceland’s international prestige
Pros and Cons of Iceland’s Bid
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Pro
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Will help Iceland’s economy
Iceland has many important
natural resources
Will add more people to the
population of the EU (more
customers for EU
Businesses)
Iceland is historically,
culturally, and
geographically part of
Europe; so it makes sense
for them to join the EU
Con
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Will pass on Iceland’s debt
to other European nations
Most Icelanders are
opposed to EU membership
Iceland does not want to
give up the Krona in favor
of the Euro
Many international
businesses are leaving
Iceland because of the poor
economy
3. E.U. Immigration Limitations
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Western Europe’s immigrant
population is growing at an
alarming rate
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Declining birth rate among
Europeans
Increased need for immigrant labor
in Europe
Pull factors (jobs, security, freedom)
Many of the immigrants come from
North Africa and the Middle East
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Majority are Muslims
Many do not speak the language
Do not share many important
aspects of European culture (food,
political views, dress, women’s
rights, etc.)
Religious extremism (Terrorist
attacks in Spain and UK)
Two Muslim women walking down a street in Paris,
France
What should be done about
immigration?
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Some Europeans would like to impose quotas on the
number of immigrants who are allowed to enter the
EU
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Overcrowding in immigrant neighborhoods
Willing to work for less than native Europeans
Many do not assimilate into European culture
Increased crime among immigrants
Some Europeans think that setting immigration
quotas would be unfair and discriminatory
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Most immigrants are not white
Most immigrants are not Christian
Many are fleeing persecution in their home countries
Pros and Cons of Immigration Quotas
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Pros
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Would protect European
culture from outside
influence
Would keep Europeans
from loosing their jobs to
cheaper immigrant labor
Would help reduce
overcrowding in immigrant
neighborhoods
May help reduce religious
extremism and crime in the
EU
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Cons
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Would encourage illegal
immigration
Will make it harder for
European companies to
find more workers and
compete around the world
Would make Europe look
prejudiced