Climate change: Explaining and solving the mismatch between scientific urgency and political inertia

摘要: Purpose – This paper has two main purposes. First, it considers the detrimental effects of four politically‐salient asymmetries on policy choices liberal democracies when dealing with problem human‐induced climate change. Second, outlines and evaluates possible solutions for reducing or countering these asymmetries. Design/methodology/approach – The approach involves an analysis evaluation options based a survey relevant literature. Findings – highlights serious mismatch between magnitude urgency change current political will to overcome mitigate problem. Although categories potential solutions, various mechanisms through which they might operate, are discussed, is recognized that all available have significant drawbacks, not least limited feasibility doubtful effectiveness. In short, action within likely remain seriously constrained by thus increasing risk dangerous change. Originality/value – complexities, both international national, confronting particular, identifies systemic reasons, in form asymmetries, why struggled take effective measures reduce greenhouse gas emissions provides systematic assessment asymmetries. These include changes accounting frameworks ensure impact humanity environment future generations more transparent.