As the plastic crisis has emerged as a prominent environmental issue, among others like climate change and biodiversity loss, it has become increasingly important to examine current models of plastic governance. Studying plastic governance provides opportunities to better understand, challenge and hopefully improve upon the landscape of governance within the plastic crisis. For the purposes of this paper, plastic governance is defined as the management and regulation of plastic throughout its life cycle, from production to disposal. The plastic crisis has complex socio-political and ecological dimensions that shape both plastic's problems and potential solutions. Environmental rhetoric surrounding plastic and plastic governance fosters, as well as exemplifies, the dynamic human and ecological dimensions at play in the plastic crisis. For example, the prominence of rhetoric like "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" and recycling generally demonstrate the creation and reinforcement of waste management and consumer responsibility as the main problems and solutions within plastic governance. Focusing on Canada and the recent announcement of a national ban on single-use plastic, I explore the impacts of environmental rhetoric on the existing and developing governance landscape for plastic. By examining the use of or appeal to environmental rhetoric among state, corporate and civil actors in Canada, I apply concepts from the social science theories of critical political ecology and constructivism in order to gain a deeper understanding of the political and ecological dimensions of the plastic crisis and governance. In particular, I examine the ways in which the coproduction of science and politics informs the characterization of the plastic crisis itself as well as any potential solutions. By studying how rhetoric shapes the problems and solutions we see and emphasize, I will identify and explore norms and gaps within governance throughout plastic’s life cycle. As well, I consider rhetoric surrounding the actors within the plastic crisis and examine how identity and perception play a role in plastic governance. This research allows for deeper critique of plastic policies or initiatives in order to provide potential recommendations for advancing environmental sustainability in Canada.

This paper offers a critical framework for understanding how liberal democracies will be tested and constrained by the twin energy crises of climate change and energy scarcity. The analysis is developed in three distinct phases: the first phase pursues a critical understanding of the contemporary liberal democratic state as it relates to the fossil fuel dependent capitalist economy. I argue that the state’s dependence on economic growth prevents it from confronting the structural nature of the twin energy crises. In phase two I shift focus, engaging with the historically significant relationship between liberal democracy and market-capitalism. This argument is developed by exploring (1) the historical connection between democracy, liberalism and capitalism; (2) the permanent and dynamic tension that arises from these mutually dependent, yet conflicting ideologies and (3) the crucial role fossil energy has played, and continues to play, in masking and displacing the sources and the consequences of this tension. Finally, in phase three, I explore the divergent interests of the liberal and democratic traditions, suggesting this generates points of tension within liberal democracy that may be exacerbated as the twin crises worsens. I conclude by arguing that it is only through understanding how the twin energy crises will test and constrain liberal democracy that we will be able to defend, strengthen and deepen its core values.