CERES21-MAHB workshop 18 May, Stanford University, 2010.
Global warming, as described by leading natural science experts presents humankind with a daunting challenge: to make a rapid transition out of the carbon-economy, or to suffer dramatic long run climatic consequences that may fundamentally upset human civilization as we know it. Against this background the workshop explores the potential for extensive transformation of carbon-intensive sectors - such as energy and transport - towards a low or post-carbon economy.
The scale and scope of the transformation needed to transcend the carbon economy is extremely challenging. The industrial revolution of the late 18th and early 19th century set the economy on a carbon or fossil fuel based trajectory, which is still a dominant trend. Moving major sectors, such as energy and transport beyond carbon, therefore comes close to a new industrial revolution.
To understand the nature of this shift for sectors like energy and car industry we must understand the logic of the large industrial complexes, their technical infrastructure and logic, regulatory frameworks as well as their alignment with consumer interests. In mature industrial economies, with more than a century of carbon commitment transition to a non-carbon trajectory involves a major shift in outlook, in material structure and in institutions.
Click here for full presentation or contact Professor Atle Midttun for more information.