Unsustainable Inequalities: Social Justice and the Environment

Unsustainable Inequalities is a book by economist Lucas Chancel that argues that the goals of social justice and a greener world can be compatible, but that progress requires substantial changes in public policy. He suggests that governments and other large-scale organizations should measure and map environmental inequalities, break down the walls between traditional social policy and environmental protection, and better coordinate between the center and local authorities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 30 October 2020
Publisher: Harvard University Press

Lucas Chancel's book, Unsustainable Inequalities, is a thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between poverty and the environment. The author challenges the conventional wisdom that helping the poor often harms the environment, and vice versa, and presents possible solutions to this seemingly intractable problem.

Chancel begins by examining the challenges faced in combating poverty and inequality while protecting the environment. He argues that to rise out of poverty, individuals and communities often consume more resources, which can have negative environmental impacts. Additionally, many measures to combat pollution lead to job losses and higher prices, disproportionately affecting the poor.

However, Chancel suggests that the goals of social justice and a greener world can be compatible. He argues that progress requires substantial changes in public policy, including measures to reduce environmental inequalities.

To achieve this, Chancel advocates for governments and other large-scale organizations to do more to measure and map environmental inequalities. He suggests that the poor benefit most from carbon taxes and other policies that promote sustainable consumption and production.

Furthermore, Chancel calls for better coordination between the center, where policies are set, and local authorities on the front lines of deprivation and contamination. He believes that local communities should have a greater say in decision-making processes that affect their lives and environments.

Unsustainable Inequalities is a rare work that combines the quantitative skills of an economist with the argumentative rigor of a philosopher. The author presents a compelling argument that there is still hope for solving even seemingly intractable social problems. The book provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability, and offers practical solutions for policymakers and activists.

Weight: 348g
Dimension: 149 x 217 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674984653