Economic growth, population growth and climate change

This newly-updated paper by David Knight presents abundant evidence that economic growth, rather than population growth, is the main determinant of increased fossil fuel emissions. Planned carbon and economic descent and a more even distribution of income between the richest individuals and countries and the poorest would provide the quickest, fairest and most effective means of reducing emissions.

Information, preferences, knowledge and belief

It is often not appreciated that human attention is a scarce good. The everyday life of many people precludes their getting much information about ecological systems and nature, or forming deep “preferences” that would mean that they would seek to protect it. By contrast, the aboriginal mentality tends to assume that land care is the main purpose of life. Rather than land belonging to them, they belong to the land. By Brian Davey.

Feasta Response to the European Commission consultation on a 2030 framework for climate and energy policies

In this submission we emphasise the need for clear targets, not only for greenhouse gas emissions but also for carbon sequestration and storage. These can be achieved via mechanisms such as Cap and Share and a Carbon Maintenance Fee, described in detail in the Feasta climate group's book Sharing for Survival. We also urge the Commission to end its support for the continued exploitation of fossil fuel sources.