FOr, investing in renewable energy is a good idea to reduce the carbon emissions of fossil fuels. However, economic growth means more production and use of more natural resources, leading to emissions, pollution and loss of biodiversity, offsetting any benefits.
Grow
Strategies currently proposed Yes it works.Switch to renewable energy, insulated houses and many proposals Basic Green New Deal It’s better than nothing, but it’s not enough.
Tree planting, or more accurately, integrated management and restoration Nature-based solutions Spanning landscapes and seascapes may be the most effective single option in the sound list above, but it is still far from enough.
Even with substantial investments in restoring forests, peatlands and many other habitats, as well as marine storage including the entire British Overseas Territories, the UK’s total carbon storage can only offset about 30% of the UK’s current emissions.
In order to make the biggest difference, the shift to renewable energy, insulation, better public transportation (possibly electrification, but not just cars), and nature-based solutions need to be accompanied by a transformative carbon tax and an end to fossil fuel subsidies.
Such Comprehensively propose a green new dealThe problem is that these measures may inhibit (if not reduce) economic growth and thus have political consequences.
Social care
Economic recovery and stimulus are of course the big news after the Covid pandemic. Suppressing economic growth sounds—or rather it sounds—a terrible idea.
However, some simple extensions of the model we published show that Local employment investment in key areas For example, renewable energy, renovation of house insulation materials, and protection of energy and nature are beneficial.
This investment can promote the necessary changes to improve environmental conditions, including climate change with Significantly reduce socioeconomic inequality-such as providing economic benefits to those who need it most.
But this will only be the case when investment in local jobs and economic measures such as the reduction of fossil fuel subsidies and carbon taxes are carried out at the same time.
Carefully plan additional work, such as manufacturing green products to support renewable energy and home improvement, and Low impact work, For example, social care work will further reduce inequality and still provide a system that can bring real environmental benefits.
Non-exploitative
If we are to solve the multiple environmental crises we are currently facing, we need to take transformative reforms seriously.
Solid, well-presented and disseminated science and social sciences, as well as the high-profile environmental movement, can truly change the narrative surrounding environmental issues.
For example, groups like Extinction Rebellion and School Strike for Climate, and influential IPCC reports, really Changed the narrative of environmental issues From plastic pollution to climate change in recent years.
We now need the campaign team to unify around the comprehensive plan Green new offerIn countries in the northern part of the world, these plans must include large-scale economic changes, such as a carbon tax, incorporating nature-based solutions, and providing opportunities for new jobs after Covid.
Outside of the global north, where per capita emissions are much lower, the transformation plan can achieve economic growth without increasing carbon emissions.
Therefore, countries in the global south should be allowed to be free, but supported economically Make your own plan, Which illustrates the cultural difference with developed countries, and does not occupy land or resources.
These authors
Rick Stafford, Ellie Jones and James Sokolnicki are located Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Bournemouth University.
