Bridging the energy divide and securing higher collective well-being in a climate-constrained world

摘要: Abstract Despite the impressive gains in available energy over last 200 years, associated benefits remain unevenly distributed. Bridging this divide only adds to already daunting challenge of securing climate stabilization. In fact, efforts towards former are more likely conflict with latter. To be able address dilemma, relationship between consumption and human well-being, beyond its economic dimension, needs better understood. This paper aims contribute emerging knowledge base, by examining using a proxy for well-being that also considers environmental social dimensions. The ultimate goal is investigate potential incompatibility achievement higher collective those end, it provides estimates additional needed carbon emissions under different scenarios, compares them existing budgets. Results indicate even if new policies were adopted, all regions where improvements could still reach up one half times estimated 2 °C budgets, so lower temperature increase targets.