Climate change presents perhaps the most profound challenge ever confronted by human society. The Oxford Handbook of Climate Change and Society is a definitive analysis drawing on the best thinking on questions of how climate change affects human systems, and how societies can, do, and should respond. Key topics covered include the history of the issues, social and political reception of climate science, the denial of that science by individuals and organized interests, the nature of the social disruptions caused by climate change, the economics of those disruptions and possible responses to them, questions of human security and social justice, obligations to future generations, policy instruments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and governance at local, regional, national, international, and global levels.

Review

"Climate change is about the relationship of society with nature and economy. It is also about the 'nature' of human society, our wants, needs and greed. But too little is said about this connection between science and society. This Handbook joins the dots, to bring a rich understanding of how society can 'fix' this existential challenge by 'fixing' itself first. Read it because you must."--Sunita Narain, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi

"This Handbook represents a valuable source of knowledge covering the science of climate change and vital impacts on society not only at the local level but globally. The value of this Handbook lies in the fact that it informs the public on why action by human society in dealing with climate change is critical and urgent."--R.K. Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

"The collection offers substantial value, of diverse character. Some pieces provide clear and economical introductions to some relevant body of scholarship; some provide cogent syntheses of some area of work; some advance a novel perspective or provocative thesis."-- Climate Law

About the Author

John S. Dryzek is Professor of Political Science in the Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance at the Australian National University, and Australian Research Council Federation Fellow. He is the author of a number of books on democracy and environmental politics.

Richard B. Norgaard is Professor of Energy and Resources at the University of California-Berkeley and an eclectic ecological economist.

David Schlosberg is Professor of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney.
His work focuses on environmental political theory, environmental justice, and environmental movements.