Transformation from "Carbon Valley" to a "Post-Carbon Society" in a Climate Change Hot Spot: the Coalfields of the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia

摘要: This paper examines the possibilities for transformation of a climate-change hot spot—the coal-producing Hunter Region New South Wales, Australia—using complex adaptive systems (CAS) theory. It uses CAS theory to understand role coal in region's history and efforts strengthen ecological, economic, social resilience industry face demands shift from fossil fuel dependency clean, renewable energy genuine sustainability. ways which two alternative futures, labeled "Carbon Valley" "Post-Carbon Society" (Heinberg 2004), might evolve. The discusses changes implemented through local communities at local, smaller scales nested seek influence evolution cycles system national, global scales. identifies influences "attractors," defined as factors driving system, that are influential across panarchy. These include climate change threats, markets, regulatory regimes, political alliances, concerns about environmental impacts Hunter's dependency. weakening apparent industry, is being propped up by corporations, labor unions, governments maintain Carbon Valley. Moreover, they creating an basin attraction Post-Carbon Society emerge system's evolutionary processes.