A Forthcoming book by Tadhg O'Mahony and Peadar Kirby analyzes how we can transition to a low-carbon society

"This book addresses the global need to transition to a low-carbon society and economy by 2050. The authors interrogate the dominant frames used for understanding this challenge and the predominant policy approaches for achieving it. Highlighting the techno-optimism that informs our current understanding and policy options, Kirby and O’Mahony draw on the lessons of international development to situate the transition within a political economy framework. Assisted by thinking on future scenarios, they critically examine the range of pathways being implemented by both developed and developing countries, identifying the prevailing forms of climate capitalism led by technology. Based on evidence that this is inadequate to achieve a low-carbon and sustainable society, the authors identify an alternative approach. This advance emerges from community initiatives, discussions on postcapitalism and debates about wellbeing and degrowth. The re-positioning of society and environment at the core of development can be labelled “ecosocialism” – a concept which must be tempered against the conditions created by Trumpism and Brexit."

Pre-orders and further information:

http://www.springer.com/gb/book/9783319625539 

About the Authors:

Peadar Kirby is Professor Emeritus of International Politics and Public Policy at the University of Limerick, Ireland. He has published widely on models of development, and on political economy. His latest book is Transitioning to a Post-Carbon Society: Degrowth, Austerity and Wellbeing, co-edited with Ernest Garcia and Mercedes Martinez-Iglesias (2017).

Tadhg O’Mahony was Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow in wellbeing and sustainability at the Finland Futures Research Centre, University of Turku during 2015–2017. He has published on a range of topics relating to climate change policy, sustainability, energy, wellbeing and future scenarios.