Key Issues in Climate Change and Sustainability: Ethics, Politics and Policy – serie

Geoengineering increasingly appears to be crucial for future climate policies. Societies and governments throughout the world have so far failed to sufficiently curb greenhouse gas emissions necessary for averting dramatic global warming and climate change. This book introduces readers to the concepts and methods of climate engineering by presenting the techniques and risks, as well as the political and ethical issues. This timely text tackles topics such as arguments for and against altering the climate on purpose, the uncertainties of those technologies, the hurdles of international coordination, and the duties towards future generations. Landes engages with global cases, encompassing reforestation efforts; prevention of runaway planetary warming; and avoidance of climate catastrophe. Distinctive features of the book include:Situating climate engineering within the context of the AnthropoceneSetting up an evaluative framework used for assessing climate engineering methods thoroughly from three angles: feasibility, permissibility, and, preferabilityA taxonomy of the different methods of climate engineering: carbon dioxide removal and solar radiation management, each with dedicated chaptersA structured and critical review of the different justifications for and oppositions to climate engineering R&D as well as deploymentEngineering and Governing the Climate: Ethical and Political Issues is an essential read for all those working in environmental studies, climate policy, and building a sustainable future.

Geoengineering increasingly appears to be crucial for future climate policies. Societies and governments throughout the world have so far failed to sufficiently curb greenhouse gas emissions necessary for averting dramatic global warming and climate change. This book introduces readers to the concepts and methods of climate engineering by presenting the techniques and risks, as well as the political and ethical issues. This timely text tackles topics such as arguments for and against altering the climate on purpose, the uncertainties of those technologies, the hurdles of international coordination, and the duties towards future generations. Landes engages with global cases, encompassing reforestation efforts; prevention of runaway planetary warming; and avoidance of climate catastrophe. Distinctive features of the book include:Situating climate engineering within the context of the AnthropoceneSetting up an evaluative framework used for assessing climate engineering methods thoroughly from three angles: feasibility, permissibility, and, preferabilityA taxonomy of the different methods of climate engineering: carbon dioxide removal and solar radiation management, each with dedicated chaptersA structured and critical review of the different justifications for and oppositions to climate engineering R&D as well as deploymentEngineering and Governing the Climate: Ethical and Political Issues is an essential read for all those working in environmental studies, climate policy, and building a sustainable future.

Concerns for future human wellbeing play a central role in climate change debate and policy making but have received scarce attention in climate change ethics. Gratifying Transitions: Maintaining Wellbeing in the Face of Climate Change remedies this by considering whether and how we can live a good and satisfying life under constraints caused by climate change. Drawing on behavioral psychology and theories of self-cultivation, the author argues that green transition requires that we work actively with wellbeing, as moral beliefs, knowledge about climate change, or new understandings of the relationship between humans and nature are unlikely to bring about the necessary changes in behavior. Contrary to a widespread view, the author further argues that subjective wellbeing rather than basic needs satisfaction is the most appropriate notion of wellbeing for addressing climate change issues. The book contains both detailed philosophical arguments and concrete guidelines for how to foster a transition to more sustainable, but still sufficiently rewarding, ways of living, individually as well as collectively.