9. Changing our future

Abstract

‘Changing our future’ argues that the challenge of climate change must be seen within the current dominant political and economic landscape. Future policies and international agreements need to provide win-win solutions that deal with the biggest challenges facing humanity in the 21st century, which include climate change, environmental degradation, global inequality, and global security. What we need is a new era of planetary stewardship led by governments and underpinned by new economic theories. Effective carbon emission reductions require a partnership between government, both local and national, corporations, and civil society that is supported and encouraged by individual behaviour change. In addition, we need international organizations fit for the challenges of the 21st century.