Fairness in Adaptation to Climate Change [Hardcover]

W. Neil Adger (Editor), Jouni Paavola (Editor), Saleemul Huq (Editor), M. J. Mace (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 28, 2006

As a global society, we need to take action not only to prevent the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change but also to adapt to the unavoidable effects of climate change already imposed on the world. Fairness in Adaptation to Climate Change looks at the challenges of ensuring that policy responses to climate change do not place undue and unfair burdens on already vulnerable populations. All countries will be endangered by climate change risks from flood, drought, and other extreme weather events, but developing countries are more dependent on climate-sensitive livelihoods such as farming and fishing and hence are more vulnerable. Despite this, the concerns of developing countries are marginalized in climate policy decisions that exacerbate current vulnerabilities.Fairness in Adaptation to Climate Change brings together scholars from political science, economics, law, human geography, and climate science to offer the first assessment of the social justice issues in adaptation to climate change. The book outlines the philosophical underpinnings of different types of justice in relation to climate change, present inequities, and future burdens, and it applies these to real world examples of climate change adaptation in Bangladesh, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, and Hungary. It argues that the key to adapting to climate change lies in recognizing the equity and justice issues inherent in its causes and in human responses to it.Contributors:W. Neil Adger, Paul Baer, Jon Barnett, Maria Bohn, Kirstin Dow, Saleemul Huq, Roger E. Kasperson, Mizan R. Khan, Janica Lane, Neil A. Leary, Robin Leichenko, Joanne Linnerooth-Bayer, M. J. Mace, Karen O'Brien, Jouni Paavola, Stephen H. Schneider, David S. G. Thomas, Chasca Twyman, Anna Vári

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Democracy's dilemma is how to leaven one-dimensional economic globalization with social and environmental imperatives. Paehlke makes an ambitious and compelling case, laced with his trademark optimism, for a democratic pincer movement from above and below, designed to recapture 'the earth' from 'the globe'. This is an essential contribution from one of our most original and imaginative environmental thinkers."--Andrew Dobson, Professor of Politics, Keele University, UK

"Political Nature is a significant contribution to the field. Not enough has been made elsewhere of the major traditions in political theory in the context of contemporary environmental politics, and this book goes a long way toward addressing that problem."--Andrew Dobson, Professor of Politics, Keele University, UK

"This book provides a valuable overview of spatial cognition and its possible roles in abstract thought--a notoriously difficult issue, but an increasingly important one. Although its subject matter is primarily psychological, the book includes contributions from anthropology, linguistics and neuroscience. Spatial Schemas in Abstract Thought should attract the interest of a wide community of researchers."--Alan Garnham, Professor, Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK

"If you thought that environmental philosophy had lost sight of environmental practice, think again. Anyone who has ever despaired at bringing activists and theorists into beneficial contact will find plenty of succor and sound advice in these pages."--Andrew Dobson, Professor of Politics, Keele University, UK

"A magnificent achievement which will be a key point of reference for years to come."--Andrew Dobson, Professor of Politics, Keele University, UK

"This is a brilliant book -- clear, direct, and scholarly as well as committed. The authors bring adaptation to the forefront of climate change debate. Who owes what to whom in this era of common yet differentiated responsibility? Fairness is critical to successful climate change policy, and this book shows us the way."--Andrew Dobson, Professor of Politics, Keele University, UK

About the Author

Saleemul Huq is Director of the Climate Change Programme at the International Institute for Environment and Development in London.

W. Neil Adger leads the research effort on adaptation at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia.

M. J. Mace is a staff lawyer at the Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development's Climate Change and Energy Programme.

Jouni Paavola is Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment at the University of East Anglia.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (April 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262012278
• ISBN-13: 978-0262012270
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,945,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)