The Case For Climate Capitalism: Economic Solutions For A Planet in Crisis

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

A warming climate and a general distrust of Wall Street has opened a new cultural divide: anti-market critics from Naomi Klein to the Pope target capitalism itself as a root cause of climate change, while neoconservatives who diminish the climate threat are in favor of market fundamentalism.

Rand argues that both sides in this emerging cultural war are ill-equipped to provide solutions to the climate crisis, and each is remarkably nave in their view of capitalism. On one hand, we cannot possibly transition off fossil fuels without the financial might and entrepreneurial talent market forces alone can unlock. On the other, without radical changes to the way markets operate, capitalism will take us right off the climate cliff.

Rejecting the old Left/Right ideologies, Rand develops a more pragmatic view capable of delivering practical solutions to this critical problem. A renewed capitalism harnessed to the task is the only way we might replace fossil fuels fast enough to mitigate severe climate risk. If we leave our dogma at the door, Rand argues, we might just build an economy that survives the century.

Reviews

"[A] realistic and readable outline of solutions that could be implemented. Recommended for informed readers, in particular Canadians, who are concerned about climate change." -- Library Journal
"[A] thoughtful treatise ... Much of the book's strength is in its practicality ... [A] strong, well-reasoned argument for the left and right to work together for the common good." -- Publishers Weekly
"If you've ever wondered just how dire a threat to civilization as we know it global warming is, this book will open your eyes ... [Tom Rand] wants to retool and reclaim capitalism. Profit isn't an ugly word in his vocabulary; he simply wants profit to align with creating a livable planet. And he spends much of the book convincingly arguing how this might be done." -- Winnipeg Free Press
"Rand's latest is an academically rigorous text that presents undeniable science proving climate disruption is the world's foremost problem ... Most impressive is Rand's understanding of the global financial system and how much it fears market disruption due to rapid climate change. This book tackles a number of different topical issues, and it's easy to imagine it being required reading at many colleges and universities." -- Booklist
"Read this if you want to learn where to invest, which industries will have a robust future, and those that are in decline. For the thinking person The Case for Climate Capitalism is filled with practical ideas on how to fit your dwelling for the future, both politically and pragmatically ... Though The Case for Climate Capitalism is brief, it is brilliant in outlining the thinking that must accompany changes in process, metrics, and measures to achieve enough of a reduction in harmful gases to sustain us all." -- The New York Journal of Books

Author Bio

Tom Rand is a recognized thought leader and public speaker on the necessity and economic upside of a rapid, global transition to a low-carbon economy. Tom is managing partner of ArcTern Ventures, a new father, sits on a number of boards, and finds it hard to believe were still having this conversation. He is the author of Kick the Fossil Fuel Habit (2010) and Waking the Frog: Solutions to Our Climate Change Paralysis (2014).