Climate Policy Revolution: What the Science of Complexity Reveals about Saving Our Planet

The new science of complexity offers humanity's best hope for confronting the climate crisis. Complex systems view can help us give up fossil fuels,end the middle-class addiction to consumption,and improve transit and reduce plastics consumption.

Format: Hardback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 24 April 2020
Publisher: Harvard University Press

The new science of complexity holds the key to addressing the imminent climate crisis facing humanity. The sheer complexity of climate change presents a formidable obstacle to most proposed solutions. How can we transition away from fossil fuels, which are deeply intertwined with various aspects of our lives, including global power dynamics, economic growth, and personal pension values? Global economic prosperity relies heavily on consumption, leading to the accumulation of waste that is suffocating our oceans. Abandoning cars, coal, and meat would disrupt entire industries and lifestyles. Faced with seemingly insurmountable trade-offs, politicians hesitate and economists propose marginal solutions, while we dangerously teeter on the brink of the sixth mass extinction.

That is why the emerging field of complex systems offers humanity its last best hope. Quitting coal, making autonomous cars commonplace, and ending the middle-class obsession with consumption are essential steps in preventing climate catastrophe. These goals, which are often deemed fantastical by pundits and policymakers, are nevertheless plausible within a complex systems perspective. Roland Kupers, in his book, demonstrates how we have already overcome the daunting challenge of breaking interwoven path dependencies that hinder fundamental change.

Take, for example, the United States' transition from a reliance on coal to natural gas in the mid-2000s. This change required targeted regulations, a few pioneering investors, independent researchers, and generous technology subsidies. However, within a remarkably short span of time, shale oil surpassed coal, resulting in a 10 percent decrease in carbon dioxide emissions. Kupers showcases how to replicate these patterns to enhance transit systems, reduce plastic consumption, and mitigate the environmental impact of middle-class diets. Whether examining China's Ecological Civilization or the United States' Green New Deal, Kupers provides insights into what is foolish, what is possible, and which solutions may have the potential to succeed.

In conclusion, the complex systems approach provides a promising avenue for addressing the climate crisis. By recognizing the interconnectedness of various systems and leveraging the power of targeted interventions, we can break free from the constraints of seemingly insurmountable trade-offs. With the insights and strategies presented by Kupers, we can embark on a path toward a more sustainable and resilient future. It is time for policymakers, industry leaders, and individuals to embrace this new science and take decisive action to protect our planet and secure a brighter future for generations to come.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 164 x 242 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674972124