Why Are We Waiting?: The Logic, Urgency, and Promise of Tackling Climate Change (Lionel Robbins Lectures)

**An urgent case for climate change action that forcefully sets out, in economic, ethical, and political terms, the dangers of delay and the benefits of action.**The risks of climate change are potentially immense. The benefits of taking action are also clear: we can see that economic development, reduced emissions, and creative adaptation go hand in hand. A committed and strong low-carbon transition could trigger a new wave of economic and technological transformation and investment, a new era of global and sustainable prosperity. Why, then, are we waiting? In this book, Nicholas Stern explains why, notwithstanding the great attractions of a new path, it has been so difficult to tackle climate change effectively. He makes a compelling case for climate action now and sets out the forms that action should take.Stern argues that the risks and costs of climate change are worse than estimated in the landmark__Stern Review__in 2006--and far worse than implied by standard economic models. He reminds us that we have a choice. We can rely on past technologies, methods, and institutions--or we can embrace change, innovation, and international collaboration. The first might bring us some short-term growth but would lead eventually to chaos, conflict, and destruction. The second could bring about better lives for all and growth that is sustainable over the long term, and help win the battle against worldwide poverty. The science warns of the dangers of neglect; the economics and technology show what we can do and the great benefits that will follow; an examination of the ethics points strongly to a moral imperative for action. Why are we waiting? The Risks Of Climate Change Are Potentially Immense. The Benefits Of Taking Action Are Also Clear: We Can See That Economic Development, Reduced Emissions, And Creative Adaptation Go Hand In Hand. Why, Then, Are We Waiting? Nicholas Stern Explains Why, Notwithstanding The Great Attractions Of A New Path, It Has Been So Difficult To Tackle Climate Change Effectively. He Argues That The Risks And Costs Of Climate Change Are Worse Than Estimated In The Landmark Stern Review In 2006 -- And Far Worse Than Implied By Standard Economic Models. He Reminds Us That We Have A Choice. We Can Rely On Past Technologies, Methods, And Institutions -- Or We Can Embrace Change, Innovation, And International Collaboration. The First Might Bring Us Some Short-term Growth But Would Lead Eventually To Chaos, Conflict, And Destruction. The Second Could Bring About Better Lives For All And Growth That Is Sustainable Over The Long Term, And Help Win The Battle Against Worldwide Poverty.--provided By Publisher. The Science : How It Shapes The Economics, Ethics, Politics, And The Possible Prognoses -- Building A New Energy-industrial Revolution -- Policies For Dynamic Change And Transition : Lessons From Economic History And Economic Theory -- How Some Economic Analyses Have Distorted The Issues -- The Ethics Of Intertemporal Values And Valuations -- Broad Approaches To Moral And Political Philosophy : Converging Perspectives -- Developments In Climate Action Around The World -- Building National And International Action -- Equity Across Peoples And Nations -- Conclusion: How Ideas Change Over Time. Nicholas Stern. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. An urgent case for climate change action that forcefully sets out, in economic, ethical, and political terms, the dangers of delay and the benefits of action. The risks of climate change are potentially immense. The benefits of taking action are also clear: we can see that economic development, reduced emissions, and creative adaptation go hand in hand. A committed and strong low-carbon transition could trigger a new wave of economic and technological transformation and investment, a new era of global and sustainable prosperity. Why, then, are we waiting? In this book, Nicholas Stern explains why, notwithstanding the great attractions of a new path, it has been so difficult to tackle climate change effectively. He makes a compelling case for climate action now and sets out the forms that action should take. Stern argues that the risks and costs of climate change are worse than estimated in the landmark Stern Review in 2006--and far worse than implied by standard economic models. He reminds us that we have a choice. We can rely on past technologies, methods, and institutions--or we can embrace change, innovation, and international collaboration. The first might bring us some short-term growth but would lead eventually to chaos, conflict, and destruction. The second could bring about better lives for all and growth that is sustainable over the long term, and help win the battle against worldwide poverty. The science warns of the dangers of neglect; the economics and technology show what we can do and the great benefits that will follow; an examination of the ethics points strongly to a moral imperative for action. Why are we waiting? Contents 8 Foreword 10 Preface 12 Acknowledgments 22 Introduction 28 Part I A Planet between Peril and Prosperity 38 1 The Science: How It Shapes the Economics, Ethics, Politics, and the Possible Prognoses 40 2 Building a New Energy-Industrial Revolution 70 Part II The Principles and Logic of Policy for Change: Economics and Ethics 126 3 Policies for Dynamic Change and Transition: Lessons from Economic History and Economic Theory 128 4 How Some Economic Analyses Have Distorted the Issues 168 5 The Ethics of Intertemporal Values and Valuations 188 6 Broad Approaches to Moral and Political Philosophy: Converging Perspectives 222 Part III Action around the World: Progress, Collaboration, Equity 246 7 Developments in Climate Action around the World 248 8 Building National and International Action 284 9 Equity across Peoples and Nations 312 10 Conclusion: How Ideas Change over Time 338 Notes 364 Sources 402 Index 436