TUM Library

Description based upon print version of record.

Cover; Half Title; Title Page; Copyright Page; Dedication; Table of Contents; List of figures; List of tables; Acknowledgements; List of contributors; List of abbreviations; Glossary; Introduction: Why and how to debate climate change; 1. Is climate change the most important challenge of our times?; YES: Because climate change is changing everything; NO: Because we cannot address climate change without addressing inequality; PART I: What do we need to know?; 2. Is the concept of 'tipping point' helpful for describing and communicating possible climate futures?

YES: It draws attention to the possibility of inadequate response to non-incremental changeNO: It misleads as to the nature of climate change; 3. Should individual extreme weather events be attributed to human agency?; YES: Attribution provides a realistic view of the impacts of climate change and can improve local decision-making and planning; NO: Attributing individual extreme events to anthropogenic factors is not as useful as you might think; 4. Does climate change drive violence, conflict and human migration?; YES: Historically it does, over large scales of time and space

NO: Other social, economic and political factors are nearly always more important5. Can the social cost of carbon be calculated?; YES: The social cost of carbon is a simple and practical tool; NO: There are fundamental problems with cost-benefit analysis when applied to climate change; PART II: What should we do?; 6. Are carbon markets the best way to address climate change?; YES: Markets are flexible, efficient and politically feasible; NO: Carbon markets are theoretically flawed and practically ineffective

7. Should future investments in energy technology be limited exclusively to renewables?YES: Accelerating energy transformation requires a commitment to ending fossil fuel investments; NO: A diverse clean energy portfolio delivers wider social and economic benefits; 8. Is it necessary to research solar climate engineering as a possible backstop technology?; YES: Research gives society an opportunity to act responsibly; NO: Because it perpetuates the dangerous illusion that a technological fix for climate change is possible; PART III: On what grounds should we base our actions?

9. Is emphasising consensus in climate science helpful for policymaking?YES: Because closing the consensus gap removes a roadblock to policy progress; NO: Because consensus is narrow and human values are more important for policymaking; 10. Do rich people rather than rich countries bear the greatest responsibility for climate change?; YES: Rich people ought to behave responsibly (before it's too late); NO: Primary responsibility must rest with states and institutional actors; 11. Is climate change a human rights violation?

YES: Because it undermines the right to life, to subsistence and to health

Contemporary Climate Change Debates is an innovative new textbook which tackles some of the difficult questions raised by climate change. For the complex policy challenges surrounding climate migration, adaptation and resilience, structured debates become effective learning devices for students. This book is organised around 15 important questions, and is split into four parts: What do we need to know? What should we do? On what grounds should we base our actions? Who should be the agents of change? Each debate is addressed by pairs of one or two leading or emerging academics who present opposing viewpoints. Through this format the book is designed to introduce students of climate change to different arguments prompted by these questions, and also provides a unique opportunity for them to engage in critical thinking and debate amongst themselves. Each chapter concludes with suggestions for further reading and with discussion questions for use in student classes. Drawing upon the sciences, social sciences and humanities to debate these ethical, cultural, legal, social, economic, technological and political roadblocks, Contemporary Debates on Climate Change is essential reading for all students of climate change, as well as those studying environmental policy and politics and sustainable development more broadly.

OCLC-licensed vendor bibliographic record.