The Climate Bonus

by Smith, Alison

• ISBN13: 9781849713405
• ISBN10: 1849713405
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2013-03-13
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

We urgently need to transform to a low carbon society, yet our progress is painfully slow, in part because it seems such a difficult process, requiring sacrifice and high costs. But this need not be the case. Many carbon reduction policies actually provide a range of additional benefits, from reduced air pollution, increased energy security and financial savings, to better social cohesion and healthier lifestyles. This book maps out the links between low carbon policies and their co-benefits, and shows how low carbon policies can lead to cleaner air, conservation of forests and other ecosystems, more sustainable agriculture, better use of finite resources, less waste, enhanced energy security, cost savings for households and businesses and social and economic benefits. The book discusses the ways in which joined-up policies can help to maximize the synergies and minimize the conflicts between climate change policies and other aspects of sustainability. Through rigorous analysis of the facts, the authors present well-reasoned and evidenced recommendations for policy-makers and all those with an interest in making a healthier and happier society. They show us how, instead of being paralysed by the threat of climate change, we can use it as a stimulus to escape from our dependence on polluting fossil fuels, and make the transition to a cleaner, safer and more sustainable future.