Transitioning to a Post-Carbon Society

Transitioning to a Post-Carbon Society PDF Author: Ernest Garcia
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1349951765
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 285

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Book Description
This book deals with one of the most pressing social and environmental issues that we face today. The transition to a post-carbon society, in which the consumption of fossil fuels decreases over time, has become an inevitability due to the need to prevent catastrophic climate change, the increasing cost and scarcity of energy, and complex combinations of both of these factors. As the authors point out, this will not only entail political adjustments and the replacement of some technologies by others, but will be accompanied by social and cultural changes that bring about substantial modifications in our societies and ways of life. This book examines whether the current conditions, which date back to the crisis that began in 2007, favour a benign and smooth transition or will make it more difficult and prone to conflict. It argues that, even if this transformation is unavoidable, the directions it will take and the resulting social forms are much less certain. There will be many post-carbon societies, the authors conclude, and any number of routes to social change. Transitioning to a Post-Carbon Society therefore represents a significant contribution to global debates on the environment, and is vital reading for academics, policymakers, business leaders, NGOs and the general public alike.

Transitioning to a Post-Carbon Society

Transitioning to a Post-Carbon Society PDF Author: Ernest Garcia
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1349951765
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 285

Get Book

Book Description
This book deals with one of the most pressing social and environmental issues that we face today. The transition to a post-carbon society, in which the consumption of fossil fuels decreases over time, has become an inevitability due to the need to prevent catastrophic climate change, the increasing cost and scarcity of energy, and complex combinations of both of these factors. As the authors point out, this will not only entail political adjustments and the replacement of some technologies by others, but will be accompanied by social and cultural changes that bring about substantial modifications in our societies and ways of life. This book examines whether the current conditions, which date back to the crisis that began in 2007, favour a benign and smooth transition or will make it more difficult and prone to conflict. It argues that, even if this transformation is unavoidable, the directions it will take and the resulting social forms are much less certain. There will be many post-carbon societies, the authors conclude, and any number of routes to social change. Transitioning to a Post-Carbon Society therefore represents a significant contribution to global debates on the environment, and is vital reading for academics, policymakers, business leaders, NGOs and the general public alike.

The Political Economy of the Low-Carbon Transition

The Political Economy of the Low-Carbon Transition PDF Author: Peadar Kirby
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319625543
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 303

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Book Description
This book addresses the global need to transition to a low-carbon society and economy by 2050. The authors interrogate the dominant frames used for understanding this challenge and the predominant policy approaches for achieving it. Highlighting the techno-optimism that informs our current understanding and policy options, Kirby and O’Mahony draw on the lessons of international development to situate the transition within a political economy framework. Assisted by thinking on future scenarios, they critically examine the range of pathways being implemented by both developed and developing countries, identifying the prevailing forms of climate capitalism led by technology. Based on evidence that this is inadequate to achieve a low-carbon and sustainable society, the authors identify an alternative approach. This advance emerges from community initiatives, discussions on postcapitalism and debates about wellbeing and degrowth. The re-positioning of society and environment at the core of development can be labelled “ecosocialism” – a concept which must be tempered against the conditions created by Trumpism and Brexit.

Energy Transition and Economic Sufficiency: Food, Transportation and Education in a Post-Carbon Society

Energy Transition and Economic Sufficiency: Food, Transportation and Education in a Post-Carbon Society PDF Author: Bart Hawkins Kreps
Publisher: Post Carbon Institute
ISBN: 9780989599566
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 290

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Book Description
Is this the end of the world as we know it? Will the winding down of fossil-fuel consumption lead to radical changes in our lives? Or can we turn away from the climate crisis cliff while the industrial economy just keeps growing? Renewable energy sources have powered civilizations for nearly all of history and must do so again. But usable energy will become a more precious resource, as it was before our brief, explosive binge on the most easily accessible fossil fuels. In coming years we will have to recognize when "enough is enough." Sufficiency, not growth, needs to be the focus of the new economy. The authors discuss changes in food production and distribution, urbanization and rural revitalization, cargo transportation, energy generation, law, and education. They show how many aspects of contemporary technology, plus lessons from our long history, can help us in the "sufficient economy" of the future. Renewable energies will not save our always-on, constantly growing, high-energy economy. But if we share the wealth to produce what we really need, renewable energies can power a sustainable civilization.

Our Renewable Future

Our Renewable Future PDF Author: Richard Heinberg
Publisher: Island Press
ISBN: 1610917790
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description
"Over the next few decades, we will see a profound energy transformation as society shifts from fossil fuels to renewable resources like solar, wind, biomass. But what might a one hundred percent renewable future actually look like, and what obstacles will we face in this transition? Authors explore the practical challenges and opportunities presented by the shift to renewable energy."--Page 4 of cover.

Moving Toward Net-Zero Carbon Society

Moving Toward Net-Zero Carbon Society PDF Author: Hsing-Hao Wu
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3031245458
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 187

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Book Description
This open access book explores various issues concerning the net-zero emission achievement, ranging from carbon pricing, carbon trade schemes, energy transition, ecological conservation, and carbon sinks, as well as the economic and social impacts of introducing carbon neutral policies in the Asia-Pacific region. The extreme flooding and drought problems, crop yield problems, and habitat changes brought about by climate change have seriously threatened the ecosystem and human survival, forcing people to rethink environmental management policies and limits on economic development. In the post-COVID-19 era, it is indispensable to adopt a more proactive climate change adaptation policy and establish bilateral cooperation with international partners who value climate change. 2021 is a critical year, and the leaders of major industrial countries at the recently concluded G7 meeting jointly stated the common objective seeking the establishment of carbon-neutral international community by the mid of the century. Major carbon-emitting countries or entities such as the European Union, US, Japan, Korea, China, and India have proposed specific timetables for net-zero carbon emissions and carbon neutrality before or at the COP26. Policy-makers around the world would also work closely with scientists, experts, and enterprises seeking appropriate policy instruments such as the development of carbon tax, carbon pricing, carbon sinks, global or regional carbon emission trade schemes, energy transitions, and other carbon-neutral policies moving toward net-zero emission society by the mid of the century. At a time when carbon pricing policies are being formulated, climate change related laws and policies will reshape the global governance and industrial layout during the period of 2021–-2030, and it is critical to move toward energy and industrial transformation, ecological conservation, and sustainable agricultural development.

Post-Carbon Inclusion

Post-Carbon Inclusion PDF Author: Ralph Horne
Publisher: Policy Press
ISBN: 1529229448
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
This collection pays unique attention to the highly challenging problems of addressing inequality within decarbonisation – particularly under-explored aspects, such as high consumption, degrowth approaches and perverse outcomes. Contributors point out means and possibilities of the transition from high carbon inequalities to post-carbon inclusion. They apply a variety of conceptual and methodological approaches in all-inclusive ways to diverse challenges, such as urban heating and retrofitting. Richly illustrated with case studies from the city to the household, this book critically examines ‘just transitions’ to achieve sustainable societies in the future.

The Post Carbon Reader

The Post Carbon Reader PDF Author: Richard Heinberg
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780970950062
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"In the 20th century, cheap and abundant energy brought previously unimaginable advances in health, wealth, and technology, and fed an explosion in population and consumption. But this growth came at an incredible cost. Climate change, peak oil, freshwater depletion, species extinction, and a host of economic and social problems now challenge us as never before. The Post Carbon Reader features articles by some of the world's most provocative thinkers on the key drivers shaping this new century, from renewable energy and urban agriculture to social justice and systems resilience. This unprecedented collection takes a hard-nosed look at the interconnected threats of our global sustainability quandary--as well as the most promising responses. The Post Carbon Reader is a valuable resource for policymakers, college classrooms, and concerned citizens."--Publisher's description.

Afterburn

Afterburn PDF Author: Richard Heinberg
Publisher: New Society Publishers
ISBN: 1550925849
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 219

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Book Description
Essential, visionary essays about our post-carbon future Climate change, along with the depletion of oil, coal, and gas dictate that we will inevitably move away from our profound societal reliance on fossil fuels; but just how big a transformation will this be? While many policy-makers assume that renewable energy sources will provide an easy "plug-and-play" solution, author Richard Heinberg suggests instead that we are in for a wild ride; a "civilization reboot" on a scale similar to the agricultural and industrial revolutions. Afterburn consists of 15 essays exploring various aspects of the 21st century migration away from fossil fuels including: Short-term political and economic factors that impede broad-scale, organized efforts to adapt The origin of longer-term trends (such as consumerism), that have created a way of life that seems "normal" to most Americans, but is actually unprecedented, highly fragile, and unsustainable Potential opportunities and sources of conflict that are likely to emerge. From the inevitability and desirability of more locally organized economies, to the urgent need to preserve our recent cultural achievements and the futility of pursuing economic growth above all, Afterburn offers cutting-edge perspectives and insights that challenge conventional thinking about our present, our future, and the choices in our hands. AWARDS FINALIST | 2015 Foreword INDIES: Essays

The Spatial Dimension of Risk

The Spatial Dimension of Risk PDF Author: Hans-Detlef M?ller-Mahn
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1849710856
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 261

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Book Description
Through its exploration of the spatial dimension of risk, this book offers a brand new approach to theorizing risk, and significant improvements in how to manage, tolerate and take risks. A broad range of risks are examined, including natural hazards, climate change, political violence, and state failure. Case studies range from the Congo to Central Asia, from tsunami in Japan and civil war affected areas in Sri Lanka to avalanche hazards in Austria. In each of these cases, the authors examine the importance and role of space in the causes and differentiation of risk, in how we can conceptualize risk from a spatial perspective and in the relevance of space and locality for risk governance. This new approach - endorsed by Ragnar Löfstedt and Ortwin Renn, two of the world's leading and most prolific risk analysts - is essential reading for those charged with studying, anticipating and managing risks.

Hydrogen Economy

Hydrogen Economy PDF Author: Antonio Scipioni
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0323995438
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 662

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Book Description
Hydrogen Economy: Supply Chain, Life Cycle Analysis and Energy Transition for Sustainability, Second Edition explores the challenges for the transition into a sustainable hydrogen economy. In this book, experts from various academic backgrounds discuss the tools and methodologies for the analysis, planning, design, and optimization of hydrogen supply chains. They examine the available technologies for hydrogen production, storage, transport, distribution, and energy conversion, providing a cross cutting perspective on their sustainability.This second edition of Hydrogen Economy is fully updated with new technologies and tools for design, optimization, assessment, and decision-making, and includes twelve new chapters divided into two new sections. Section III examines advanced hydrogen routines and technologies, including fuel cells and hybrid electric vehicles, new storage technologies, and biohydrogen production from waste, allowing for a more complete life cycle assessment of the entire supply chain. Section IV provides new insights into policy and future developments, discussing the role of Grey, Blue, and Green hydrogen in the energy transition, the application of hydrogen in decarbonization of heavy industry, hydrogen safety, and more, substantially broadening the scope of the 2nd Edition.Providing a broad overview of the subject and well-recognized tools to manage hydrogen sustainability, Hydrogen Economy Second Edition is an invaluable resource for engineering researchers and PhD students in energy, environmental and industrial areas, energy economy researchers, practicing hydrogen energy engineers and technicians, energy and environmental consultants, life cycle assessment practitioners and consultants. Provides a broad perspective of the issues related to environmental, social and economic sustainability of hydrogen energy and its future perspectives Presents the current applied research and available tools for managing and assessing hydrogen energy sustainability, such as LCA, optimization, multi-criteria decision making and supply chain optimization Explores how experts in the field handle all issues related to the application of life cycle assessment for hydrogen production, storage, transport, distribution, safety, and end use