Publication Date: Jun 2024
RRP: $19.95
ISBN: 9781922979636
Format: Paperback
Size: 111mm x 175mm
Pages: 96
Category: Environment, In the National Interest

Climate Clangers

The Bad Ideas Blocking Real Action

Jennifer Rayner

Also available as an ebook from your favourite retailer.


The climate assertions that only prevent effective action, and what could replace them

The impacts of climate change keep getting worse, but the typical framing of the problem and the solutions so far being pursued are seriously insufficient. As a result, the steps we’re taking to build a clean energy economy and move beyond fossil fuels are far too incremental for the existential nature of this threat. So what’s holding us back?

Climate Clangers calls out three bad ideas that are blocking action on climate change at the speed and scale we need right now:

  • Decarbonising our economy must not impact economic growth.
  • Net-zero accounting can keep global heating within survivable limits.
  • Strong action now will cost us more than we can afford.

Clung to by politicians and leaders of industry, and rooted in outdated and wishful thinking, each of these ideas is fundamentally wrong. With the world continuing to warm, the longer we leave these assertions unchallenged, the more dangerous they become.

In this sharp and lively analysis, Dr Jennifer Rayner makes the case for better ways to gauge the health of our clean economy, track real progress on cutting carbon pollution, and account for the gains from immediate, decisive measures. We need new ways of thinking about the life-threatening challenge of global warming so that we can get on with real climate action.


Jennifer Rayner

Dr Jennifer Rayner is Head of Advocacy at the Climate Council, an independent, people-powered organisation advocating for climate science and solutions. She works at the nexus of evidence, policy and politics to catalyse real action that can permanently cut carbon...
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