Overview

This timely book analyses the status of hydrocarbon energy in Russia as both a saleable commodity and as a source of societal and political power. Through empirical studies in domestic and foreign policy contexts, Veli-Pekka Tynkkynen explores the development of a hydrocarbon culture in Russia and the impact this has on its politics, identity and approach to climate change and renewable energy. Cogent and compelling, this book demonstrates how the Russian state leverages its oil and gas reserves in order to create and maintain power both domestically and internationally. Tynkkynen uses empirical studies of key topics such as the national gas programme Gazprom, the Arctic, climate discourse and anthropogenic climate change denial, and the Russia-Finland energy trade to critically examine the situation. The book concludes with a convincing argument for the potential of renewable energy to build a more resilient and sustainable future for Russia and how this might be achieved. This will prove crucial reading for scholars and students of Russian and Eastern European studies and energy and environmental studies, as well as geographers, anthropologists and political scientists. Those working in governments, international organizations and corporations with an interest in Russian energy will also find its insights useful.

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9781788978590

Table of Contents

Reviews

'Tynkkynen's enjoyable text offers an essential contribution to the growing literature concerning the materiality of post-Soviet fossil politics, effectively revealing how hydrocarbons shape Eurasia's entire geopolitical field: through their material properties, political scripting, and enrollment within multi-scalar political assemblages. In doing so, Tynkkynen presents a clear revisioning of domestic and international fossil power, alongside a potential road map to a more sustainable Eurasian future. If you study Eurasian natural resource politics, global hydrocarbon governance, or critical geopolitics more broadly, this compelling and timely text deserves a place in your library.' -- Jesse Swann-Quinn, Eurasian Geography and Economics 'With a geographer's eye for the importance of space and an eclectic theoretical toolkit, Tynkkynen provides fresh insights into the workings of hydrocarbon culture in Russia. This book's analyses of the relationships between Russia's dependence on fossil fuels and the science of climate change is especially interesting, not least because Tynkkynen offers his own perspectives-and concrete recommendations-on what it will take for Russia to move beyond hydrocarbon culture and embrace a renewable energy future.' -- Douglas Rogers, Yale University, US 'This fascinating journey through Russia's energy politics is a great read for those interested in Russia's political developments and priorities. The book offers carefully documented insights into energy politics. At the same time, the broader picture - foreign policy consequences, challenges in the Arctic, prospects of climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the country's future green economy - is always clearly and engagingly in view.' -- Elana Wilson Rowe, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), Norway 'In this book, Veli-Pekka Tynkkynen provides a well-informed perspective on Russia as an energy superpower. Russia presents a formidable obstacle to efforts to tackle climate change, since its dependence on fossil fuels has become deeply entrenched in its domestic political institutions and foreign policy. However, by pointing to Russia's forestry resources and potential as a green superpower , Tynkkynen does show a possible way forward.' -- Peter Rutland, Wesleyan University, US

'With a geographer's eye for the importance of space and an eclectic theoretical toolkit, Tynkkynen provides fresh insights into the workings of hydrocarbon culture in Russia. This book's analyses of the relationships between Russia s dependence on fossil fuels and the science of climate change is especially interesting, not least because Tynkkynen offers his own perspectives--and concrete recommendations--on what it will take for Russia to move beyond hydrocarbon culture and embrace a renewable energy future.' --Douglas Rogers, Yale University, US'This fascinating journey through Russia's energy politics is a great read for those interested in Russia's political developments and priorities. The book offers carefully documented insights into energy politics. At the same time, the broader picture - foreign policy consequences, challenges in the Arctic, prospects of climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the country's future ''green economy'' - is always clearly and engagingly in view.' --Elana Wilson Rowe, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), Norway 'In this book, Veli-Pekka Tynkkynen provides a well-informed perspective on Russia as an energy superpower. Russia presents a formidable obstacle to efforts to tackle climate change, since its dependence on fossil fuels has become deeply entrenched in its domestic political institutions and foreign policy. However, by pointing to Russia's forestry resources and potential as a ''green superpower'', Tynkkynen does show a possible way forward.' --Peter Rutland, Wesleyan University, US

`With a geographer's eye for the importance of space and an eclectic theoretical toolkit, Tynkkynen provides fresh insights into the workings of hydrocarbon culture in Russia. This book's analyses of the relationships between Russia's dependence on fossil fuels and the science of climate change is especially interesting, not least because Tynkkynen offers his own perspectives-and concrete recommendations-on what it will take for Russia to move beyond hydrocarbon culture and embrace a renewable energy future.' -- Douglas Rogers, Yale University, US `This fascinating journey through Russia's energy politics is a great read for those interested in Russia's political developments and priorities. The book offers carefully documented insights into energy politics. At the same time, the broader picture - foreign policy consequences, challenges in the Arctic, prospects of climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the country's future green economy - is always clearly and engagingly in view.' -- Elana Wilson Rowe, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), Norway `In this book, Veli-Pekka Tynkkynen provides a well-informed perspective on Russia as an energy superpower. Russia presents a formidable obstacle to efforts to tackle climate change, since its dependence on fossil fuels has become deeply entrenched in its domestic political institutions and foreign policy. However, by pointing to Russia's forestry resources and potential as a green superpower , Tynkkynen does show a possible way forward.' -- Peter Rutland, Wesleyan University, US

Author Information

Veli-Pekka Tynkkynen, Professor in Russian Environmental Studies, Aleksanteri Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland

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