Product Description

The Kyoto Protocol, the world's first tentative step towards avoiding the threat of climate change, has failed. We urgently need a new course of action. In "Kyoto2", the writer, journalist and broadcaster Oliver Tickell puts forward a strikingly original new solution. Using a system of finite production rights for greenhouse gases, which would be traded by organisations on a global auction, "Kyoto2" seeks to succeed where the original agreement failed. Regulated by an independent body, the funds could be poured back into healing the wounds inflicted by climate change. In his combination of idealism with realistic proposals, Tickell exposes the flaws in current approaches, and envisions a fairer and more effective system. "Kyoto2" promises to banish the dejection of the post-Kyoto era, reviving hope that the cure for the crisis facing our planet is still achievable.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39033 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 301 pages

George Monbiot
'The most intelligent treatment of the politics and economics of climate change I have ever read. Brilliant, clear and unanswerable'

Mark Lynas
'Elegantly simple and eminently workable, this is a proposal that could change the world. Kyoto2 should be read by anyone with an interest in climate change policy'

Caspar Henderson
'A fresh, accessible, cogent and bold case for a radical departure from most established thinking. Very seldom is an argument made with such gusto, sharpness and wisdom. Whether you agree with Oliver Tickell or not, your understanding of and thinking about this vital global challenge will be greatly enhanced by reading this book'

Customer Reviews

At last, something that could actually work...
This is a short, intense and very readable book, with a clear and direct exposition of the Kyoto 2 proposal for saving the world. Nothing less.

If you're hoping for deep exposition of the numbers which Tickell uses to make his case, you'll have to dig into his extensive bibliography. Kyoto 2 critics should make sure they do that before opening fire.

All engineers will find something to annoy them - Tickell cites the Severn Barrage, wind power, nuclear fusion, hydrogen, carbon capture and fuel cells as parts of the solution, and every engineer is deeply opposed to at least one of those ideas (take your pick).

But so what? Tickell has a succinct and robust set of propositions. You could take away any dozen of the specific technologies and policies he cites, and Kyoto 2 would still look like the only game in town. It's inherently strong, not at all dependent on any particular technology, and a prisoner to absolutely no ideology.

There are several dozen doctoral theses to be had on "the best" way to implement Kyoto 2. Several of them have no doubt already been written. May the detail be done, in good time. Right now, I just want to get my shoulder behind the wheel.

So when the next election comes, I'll have a note pinned to my front door thus: "Election canvassers: if your candidate supports Kyoto 2, ring the bell and tell me. Otherwise, go away."

Finally, if you avoid climate change books because the whole subject is such a downer (and is there any deeper downer to be had?), you will find this one a refreshing change. Tickell isn't going to be gentle with you - this book is more like a walk in the Outer Hebrides in a winter gale - challenging, invigorating, and a great hangover cure. Moping ends and action starts.

The solution to global warming
Do you agree with the G8 that at least a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is required by 2050 to avoid dangerous climate change?
Do you worry that it will not be possible to achieve this?
If you do then read this book. It is a well written, convincing argument for a `Kyoto2' solution which will work after the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012. Kyoto2 has three legs:
1. Put a price on most carbon emissions by requiring producers of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas producing industrial process to buy tradable carbon emission credits. (Chapter 4)
2. Regulate to promote energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions - for example energy star labelling and building codes (Chapter 5)
3. Use money from auctioning carbon credits to pay for research on low carbon technology, on reducing land-use emissions and on adapting to climate change (Chapter 6)

While putting a price on carbon is the `main mechanism' of the proposal, regulating for energy efficiency and funding of new technology play a major role in reducing emissions. Their contribution reduces the amount of change which must be driven by the price on greenhouse gas emissions and thus allows this price to be moderate - perhaps US$30/tonne. This US$30/tonne provides US$1,000 billion/annum funding for technology research and makes low carbon technologies more attractive but doesn't inflict severe stress on the economy.

In support of its proposal, the book notes the ozone fighting Montreal Protocol as a very effective demonstration of the merits of regulating emissions and funding research. Did you know the Montreal Protocol has reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than the Kyoto Protocol, and has done so at substantially less cost per tonne than Kyoto?

The book has two significant omissions:
1. Little coverage of how its `Kyoto2' proposal might be implemented. In particular how a phased implementation might work. But don't dispair. Most of the elements of Kyoto2 are already part of policy proposals under discussion but the proportions are wrong. As Kyoto2 explains we need more action on regulation and direct funding and a simplification of the market mechanisms.
2. Not considering how revenue and competitive advantage issues drive businesses to adopt energy inefficient practices. These issues greatly increase the strength of the argument for the regulatory controls proposed in Chapter 5.

The book lives up to its title `How to Manage the Global Greenhouse'. It is an important proposal for a solution which anyone concerned with preventing dangerous climate change should read.

The only book you need on climate change
This is the best book on climate change policy I have read so far. Whilst it is very readable and offers an excellent introduction to the basics, it does not shy away from the essential scientific and technical material that anyone with a serious interest in climate change needs to know. As well as helping me to understand other scholars ideas that I had at times found difficult to follow, it develops them into an overall plan that is sophisticated and yet so simple it makes you wonder why they're not yet international policy!