The first half of this book is BRILLIANT! The explanation of the 'Economy as Machine' and the difference between Equilibrium and Evolutionary Economics is clear, concise and a fantastic read. I learned so much that the book is DEFINITELY worth buying, for this section.

That opening paragraph screams that a 'but' is coming... and there is. When Simon Sharpe puts this new system to climate change, there is still much to admire but (ah, there it is!) the whole issue of Climate Justice is missing. I fear that this may well represent the way that our governmental bods see climate change and, if they do, why the solution will have the seeds of its own failure inbuilt.

The most glaring area actually mentioned within the text that causes concern is the attitude to cars. A straight 1:1 replacement of petrol with electric cars is seen to be the sensible approach. Nothing is said of the problems of raping under developed countries for rare minerals to produce battery technology. In the area of deforestation too, the problem is seen as one for these little countries to sort out: it has nothing to do with multinational companies. Investor-state dispute settlement is not mentioned as a restraining influence.

All this may be taken as wet liberal hand-wringing but, the current situation whereby the big three/four (USA, China, and the EU - with the UK tagging along as a used to be) setting the rules and everybody else forming a line to tug their forelocks, will not last. The earth does not contain the elements needed to keep Capitalist production going at current rates. The idea that there's enough for everyone to rise to the Western level of 'stuff', is ridiculous beyond belief. A more radical change of perspective is needed.

Plenty of good stuff in this book, but not the full answer. ( )