Economics for a Fragile Planet
Rethinking Markets, Institutions and Governance

As global environmental challenges mount, this book offers a policy blueprint for building a safer, sustainable and more inclusive world.

Edward Barbier (Author)

9781108830829, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 31 March 2022

250 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.5 cm, 0.66 kg

'… a compelling book with thoughtful solutions … Highly recommended.' S. Paul, Choice

In a world of growing environmental risks and ecological scarcities, ensuring a safe Anthropocene for humankind is essential. Managing an increasingly "fragile" planet requires new thinking on markets, institutions and governance built on five principles: ending the underpricing of nature, fostering collective action, accepting absolute limits, attaining sustainability, and promoting inclusivity. Rethinking economics and policies in this way can help to overcome the global challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, freshwater scarcity, and deteriorating marine and coastal habitats. It requires decoupling wealth creation from environmental degradation through business, policy and financial actions aimed at better stewardship of the biosphere. In this book, renowned environmental economist Edward Barbier offers a blueprint for a greener and more inclusive economy, and outlines the steps we must take now to build a post-COVID world that limits environmental threats while sustaining per capita welfare.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Humankind and the planet
3. Economics for a fragile planet
4. Climate change
5. Land use change and biodiversity
6. Freshwater
7. Oceans and coasts
8. Public policies
9. Business
10. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Energy & natural resources law [LNCR], Environmental economics [KCN]