Overview

Governments have failed to stem global emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases causing climate change. Indeed, climate-changing pollution is increasing globally, and will do so for decades to come without far more aggressive action. What explains this failure to effectively tackle one of the world's most serious problems? And what can we do about it? To answer these questions, Paul G. Harris looks at climate politics as a doctor might look at a very sick patient. He performs urgent diagnoses and prescribes vital treatments to revive our ailing planet before it's too late. The book begins by diagnosing what’s most wrong with climate politics, including the anachronistic international system, which encourages nations to fight for their narrowly perceived interests and makes major cuts in greenhouse pollution extraordinarily difficult; the deadlock between the United States and China, which together produce over one-third of global greenhouse gas pollution but do little more than demand that the other act first; and affluent lifestyles and overconsumption, which are spreading rapidly from industrialized nations to the developing world. The book then prescribes several ""remedies"" for the failed politics of climate change, including a new kind of climate diplomacy with people at its center, national policies that put the common but differentiated responsibilities of individuals alongside those of nations, and a campaign for simultaneously enhancing human wellbeing and environmental sustainability. While these treatments are aspirational, they are not intended to be utopian. As Harris shows, they are genuine, workable solutions to what ails the politics of climate change today.

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9780745652504

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Reviews

'Fixing' climate politics is a near-impossible task, but Paul Harris points to a way forward that does hold out some hope. His clearly written book will also be useful as an introduction to the problem of climate change and the politics associated with it. Peter Singer I very much enjoyed reading this book. It is well written, accessible, and engaging, and packed full of ideas and observations about the challenges of climate politics. I have no doubt that students will find it stimulating. Neil Carter, University of York

Author Information

Paul G. Harris is Chair Professor of global and environmental studies at the Hong Kong Institute of Education.

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