Climate Change Law (Concepts and Insights)

Over the past thirty years, a body of law dealing with the issue of climate change has taken form. This rapidly emerging body of law runs the gamut from state and local regulations to federal policies and international agreements and includes both public and private sector involvement. Climate Change Law is based on the view that this issue is just too important to leave to specialists alone. It is the first book to offer a concise, readable treatment of this entire body of law. The focus is on core concepts of climate change law, rather than all of the complex details. The book begins by discussing the scientific and policy issues that frame the legal scheme, including the state of climate science, the meaning of the social cost of carbon, and the variety of tools that are available to reduce carbon emissions. It then covers in turn the international, national, and state efforts in this sphere. Finally, the book turns to the challenge of adapting to climate change, before exploring the concept of geoengineering and the potential challenges associated with using geoengineering as a tool for addressing climate change. The book is designed to be accessible to a broad range of readers, not just those who have backgrounds in climate science, environmental economics, or law.