Routledge Handbook of Climate Change and Society by Lever-Tracy, Constance -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Contents Illustrations

Figures Tables Boxes

Contributors Acknowledgements Acronyms Preface: Copenhagen and after

Copenhagen and its aftermath1

Transparency and inclusiveness The Copenhagen Accord

The road ahead Notes References

Climate change and society: an introduction

Introduction A new urgency Multidisciplinarity A global problem

Uncharted territory

Conclusion Notes References

Part 1 Understanding climate change

1 The science of climate change: knowledge, uncertainty and risk1

Introduction Recent global warming Why is the present rapid warming happening? The importance of delayed climate responses Observed impacts Projections of future climate change Conclusion Note References

2 Climate change: complexity and collaboration between the sciences

Introduction The complexity turn

Complexity and climate change

The trajectory to climate change recognition: modelling the climate Mitigation10

Targets and markets Mitigating technological fixes Geo-engineering

Adaptation Credit crunch: climate crunch – the contemporary conjuncture

The credit crunch Action, agency and creating a climate for change

Conclusions Notes References

Part II Social impacts on Nature

3 Organisations and global warming

Introduction The public Big oil

Concentration Price rises Where the profits go Subsidies Renewable energy The oil strategy

Coal

The politics of big coal Clean coal? The future of coal

Renewables and efficiency Carbon tax, cap and trade Conclusions Acknowledgements References

4 Capitalism versus Nature: eco-socialist approaches to the climate crisis

Introduction Socialism and the environment: an ambiguous legacy ‘Naming the system’: global warming and capitalism ‘False starts and false solutions’ Looking forward: what is to be done? Conclusion References

5 Ecological economics: the impact of unsustainable growth

Introduction – putting the climate change dilemma into context An ecological economics perspective of sustainable development

Sustainable development defined Sustainable development: policy goals and instruments Sustainable development: ecological and economic limits to growth

Maximum sustainable scale and optimal macro-economic scale Efficiency-increasing technological progress Limits to the beneficial shift of the UB and UC curves

Empirical evidence concerning the ecological and economic limits to growth

Ecological limits to growth: ecological footprint versus bio-capacity

Economic limits to growth: the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) Establishing an emissions pathway consistent with achieving ecological sustainability

Ecological sustainability: avoiding catastrophic climate change Ecological sustainability: a sustainable population and a sustainable rate of resource use Increasing economic welfare: moving towards an optimal macro-economic scale

Evolution of the global economy Concluding remarks Notes References

6 Ecological economics: consumption drivers and impacts

Introduction Why is it possible to consume so much? Modern lifestyles Drivers behind consumption growth The energy impacts of consumption Curbing the growth of consumption? Notes References

Part III Natural impacts on society

7 Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change

Introduction Vulnerability and adaptation

Vulnerability Adaptation

Social groups, sectors, and regions: lenses on vulnerability and adaptation

Social vulnerability and adaptation: young children and the elderly Sectoral vulnerability and adaptation: industries and firms Spatial vulnerability and adaptation: cities and neighbourhoods

Equity and social justice in an era of climate change Conclusion References

8 Ecological rationality, disaster, and the environmental education of leaders

Introduction

Reflective, ecological modernisation: will it occur? Education of whom?

The empirical investigation

The environmental and disaster education of leaders Environmental education through disaster The environmental policies of leaders Dependence of leaders on the public’s environmental education

Conclusion Note References

9 Case study: floods in Mumbai

Introduction Floods in Mumbai

The flood of July 2005

The study

Methodology Vulnerability in Mumbai The social composition of the slum settlements Flood vulnerability

Conclusion Notes References

Part IV Social recognition of climate change

10 Public opinion: a cross-national view

Introduction Review of early studies Growing environmental concern and knowledge

Most important national problem Climate change concerns among young people aged 12–18 years Public familiarity with and knowledge about global climate change Public support for policy alternatives and climate change action

Conclusion: understanding patterns and raising practical and theoretical questions Notes References Appendix A

11 Media presentations of climate change

Introduction Mass media portrayals of climate change Multi-scale influences Climate change as a news story Conclusions References

12 Case study: climate change reporting in Time magazine

Introduction Rising coverage Growing recognition – hurricanes

Global warming ignored: 2004 hurricane season Global warming emerges: 2005 hurricane season Global warming embedded: 2006 to 2007 hurricane seasons

The mainstreaming of global warming – conflict and health

Conflict Malaria

Conclusion Postscript

Constance Lever-Tracy

Notes References

13 Religion, worldview and climate change

Introduction Worldview Key religious questions to disclose underlying worldviews

Who or what is in charge of the cosmos and of its unfolding through time? What is the human relationship with the non-human world? What are the consequences of human action?

Conclusion Notes References

14 Climate change denial: sources, actors andstrategies

Introduction Historical/cultural roots of climate change denial

The rise of the conservative movement and the Reagan presidency The environmental movement’s reliance on ‘impact science’ The conservative movement’s embrace of ‘environmental scepticism’ Anthropogenic climate change becomes the conservative movement’s ‘bête noire’

The war against climate science: key actors Major strategies and tactics: manufacturing and disseminating uncertainty

Manufacturing uncertainty regarding climate change Disseminating uncertainty

Conclusion Notes References

Part V Reducing emissions

15 Crises and opportunities

Introduction Technological breakthroughs in the Great Depression

Aircraft Petrochemicals Crisis and opportunity in the 1930s

Clean energy for the twenty-first century

Current developments Low emissions power generation potential Transport, low emissions potential

Conclusion Notes References

16 Alternative scenarios: varieties of capitalism

Introduction Winners and losers Culture and values Conclusion Notes References

17 Alternative scenarios: technologicaloptimism or low energy futures

Introduction

Global warming and the oil peak

Technological optimists

Spratt and Sutton – Climate Code Red Dyer’s Climate Wars

Problems with technological optimism

The limits of sustainable energy Systemic problems with technological optimism

Low energy futures

Gunther’s ‘ruralisation’ scenario Trainer’s low energy future Holmgren’s reconstruction of the suburbs Bio-engineering and the low energy writers

Conclusions References

18 Bio-fuels

Introduction Need and potential for bio-fuels

Fossil fuel contribution to greenhouse gas emissions Bio-fuel – an alternative to petroleum fuels Problems with Gen-1 bio-fuels

Second generation (Gen-2) bio-fuels and their potential

Ligno-cellulosics Micro-algae The chemical bio-refinery

Future directions

Co-products

Conclusion Note References

19 The nuclear option

Introduction Normalisation of nuclear power Nuclear problems Conclusion Notes References

20 Case study: agro-forestry in the Philippines1

Introduction The potential of agro-forestry as a strategy for climate change adaptation in the Philippines

Four models Data-collection procedures

Agro-forestry’s environmental function

Potential for carbon sequestration Agro-forestry maintains and improves biophysical conditions Agro-forestry enhances biodiversity conservation

Economic and social impacts

Agro-forestry ensures food security Agro-forestry addresses socioeconomic productivity

Conclusions and recommendations Note References

21 Public opposition to renewable energy

Introduction: the political impetus and the ‘problem’ of protest Understanding support and opposition

The importance of the local context A disjuncture between the local and the global Tensions over control and ownership Distance and disconnect between local people and the decision-making processes

Looking forward: developing renewables with people Conclusions Notes References

22 Behavioural insights: motivating individual emissions cuts through communication

Introduction Barriers to behaviour change Top-down regulation Bottom-up engagement Fostering demand for regulation Reorienting communication efforts Conclusions References

Part VI National and global policies

23 Climate change and energy security in the European Union: from rhetoric to practice? 1

Introduction The EU’s climate and energy security dilemmas: synergies and contradictions

Climate security Energy security Synergies Trade-offs and goal conflicts

Difficulties in integrating the EU’s energy and climate policies

Institutional and legal obstacles Public and scientific opinion Prospects

Towards a common energy policy tackling climate change in Europe

Strengthening the energy security – climate change nexus The EU’s climate policies on the road to Copenhagen

Conclusions Note References

24 Case study: wind energy regulation in Germany and the UK

Introduction Similarities and differences The impact of regulation upon independent power producers and local communities in the UK The impact of regulation on utilities and local communities in Germany Discussion: four types of regulation Conclusions Notes References

25 Tipping point: crossroads for US climate policy1

Introduction

Theoretical underpinnings

The policy chessboard: obstacles and opposition

Sunken costs, organised interests, path dependencies Multiple treadmills

The game pieces: geographic diversity, partisan polarisation

A destabilising economic crisis Diverse climate impacts and mitigation costs Diversity of views on climate risks and action Partisan polarisation Mixed consequences Congressional dynamics Opportunity through diversity

Game changers: overcoming stalemate

Alternate pathways Judicial channels facilitate or obstruct Multi-level venue shopping Congress, cap and trade Redefining bipartisanship

Treadmills, modernisation and multi-level politics Notes References

26 China’s emissions: dangers and responses

Introduction China’s climate trajectory and energy profile

Long-term challenges China’s emissions China’s energy profile

China’s responses to climate change

Evolving but limited policies Recent developments Voluntary policies and energy-oriented measures Participation in the clean development mechanism (CDM)

Future developments in China’s climate change responses

Are mandatory climate obligations inevitable? Carbon tax and emissions trading

Conclusions and implications References

27 Justice and the politics of climate change

Introduction Economics or justice? Climate justice in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change The historic emitter pays principle and the ability to pay principle Combining the two principles Criticising Caney’s hybrid principle Conclusion Notes References

28 International law responses to climate change

Introduction The mechanisms of international law The existing legal regime

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Kyoto Protocol The Marrakesh Accords Post Kyoto

The effectiveness of the current system Conclusions Notes References

29 Pushing past neo-liberalism: rethinking global climate change negotiations1

Introduction Copenhagen as a missed historic opportunity The four pillars of climate negotiations

Mitigation Adaptation Technology transfer Financing

Path-dependency over 20 years

Climate negotiations begin Origins of the Kyoto Protocol architecture Moving towards a post-Kyoto Protocol regime

Conclusion: reinventing carbon taxes and trade measures Notes References

Index

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