Climate Change Policy

by Schneider, Stephen H.

• ISBN13: 9781559638814
• ISBN10: 1559638818
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-08-01
• Publisher: Island Pr

Summary

Questions surrounding the issue of climate change are evolving from "Is it happening?" to "What can be done about it?" The primary obstacles to addressing it at this point are not scientific but political and economic; nonetheless a quick resolution is unlikely.Ignorance and confusion surrounding the issue -- including a lack of understanding of climate science, its implications for the environment and society, and the range of policy options available -- contributes to the political morass over dealing with climate change in which we find ourselves. Climate Change Policyaddresses that situation by bringing together a wide range of new writings from leading experts that examine the many dimensions of the topics most important in understanding climate change and policies to combat it. Chapters consider: climate science in historical perspective analysis of uncertainties in climate science and policy the economics of climate policy North-South and intergenerational equity issues the role of business and industry in climate solutions policy mechanisms including joint implementation, emissions trading, and the so-called clean development mechanism Regardless of the fate of the Kyoto Protocol, the issues raised in that debate will persist as new climate protection regimes emerge; this volume treats most of those topics. Tying the chapters together is a shared conclusion that climate change is a real and serious problem, and that we as a society have an obligation not merely to adapt to it but to mitigate it in whatever intelligent ways we can develop. Cost-effectiveness is not disdained, but neither is the imperative for valuing species threatened by rapid climate change.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	xiii
PART I. Science and Impacts
Understanding Climate Science	3	(50)
Richard Wolfson
Stephen H. Schneider
Uncertainty and Climate Change Policy	53	(36)
Stephen H. Schneider
Kristin Kuntz-Duriseti
Regional Impact Assessments: A Case Study of California	89	(26)
Eleanor G. Turman
PART II. Economic Analysis
International Approaches to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions	115	(36)
Lawrence H. Goulder
Brian M. Nadreau
Designing Global Climate Regulation	151	(38)
Jonathan Baert Wiener
Carbon Abatement with Economic Growth: A National Strategy	189	(32)
Stephen Bernow
Alison Bailie
William Dougherty
Sivan Kartha
Michael Lazarus
PART III. Policy Context
U. S. Climate Change Policy	221	(14)
Armin Rosencranz
The Climate Policy Debate in the U.S. Congress	235	(16)
Kai S. Anderson
Population and Climate Change Policy	251	(24)
Frederick A. B. Meyerson
Global Climate Change: A Business Perspective	275	(18)
Thomas G. Burns
Activities Implemented Jointly	293	(14)
Reimund Schwarze
PART IV. Forests and Agriculture
Climate Change and Agriculture: Mitigation Options and Potential	307	(30)
Holly L. Pearson
Tropical Forests and Climate Change	337	(38)
John O. Niles
PART V. Development and Equity
A Southern Perspective on Curbing Global Climate Change	375	(18)
Anil Agarwal
Equity, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Global Common Resources	393	(18)
Paul Baer
PART VI. Energy Choices
Renewable Energy Sources as a Response to Global Climate Concerns	411	(36)
John J. Berger
Fuel Cells, Carbon Sequestration, Infrastructure, and the Transition to a Hydrogen Economy	447	(22)
Michael B. Cummings
Energy R&D and Innovation: Challenges and Opportunities	469	(26)
Robert M. Margolis
Daniel M. Kammen
Business Capitalizing on Energy Transition Opportunities	495	(14)
Orie L. Loucks
Earth Systems: Engineering and Management	509	(14)
Stephen H. Schneider
Appendix A. Climate Negotiation History	523	(8)
Leonie Haimson
Appendix B. ``Hot Air'' and ``Hot Air'' Policies	531	(6)
Reimund Schwarze
Glossary	537	(4)
About the Contributors	541	(6)
Index	547