Facing the Climate Change Mitigation Challenge: A Shift to Biodiversity and Global Justice Imperative

This chapter examines the interconnected challenges of climate change mitigation, biodiversity loss, and the pursuit of economic growth. It argues that the effort to mitigate climate change has been effectively lost due to continued reliance on fossil fuels and inadequate reductions in emissions. The author contends that protecting biodiversity and land conservation should now be the paramount priority. The chapter critiques the myth of green growth; and decoupling economic activity from environmental pressures. It advocates a shift towards constructive austerity, reducing excessive consumption in wealthy nations to alleviate strain on the planet's finite resources. The chapter calls for a profound cultural transformation that prioritises community interdependence over materialistic pursuits as an alternative to the prevailing economic paradigm.