We live on an increasingly human-dominated planet. Our impact on the Earth has become so huge that researchers now suggest that it merits its own geological epoch - the 'Anthropocene' - the age of humans. Combining theory development and case studies of 'planetary boundaries', emerging infectious diseases, financial markets and geoengineering, this groundbreaking book explores the 'Anthropocene Gap' otherwise known as society's current failure to address the most profound environmental challenges of our times.

What are the political and institutional implications of this new epoch? And what are some novel ways to analyze the complicated interplay between institutions, Earth system complexity and technology? This book offers one of the first explorations of political and institutional dimensions of the Anthropocene concept by providing a novel combination of institutional analysis along with insights from Earth system sciences. It provides an exploration of the role of technology for global environmental governance and defines a new agenda for political science analysis in the Anthropocene.

Offering the first summary of the planetary boundaries debate, this cutting edge book will be of great interest to researchers concerned in the interplay between politics, technology, and global environmental change, and those interested in the debate surrounding the Anthropocene and 'planetary boundaries'.

Contents:
Foreword. The 'Anthropocene Gap'
1. Planetary Terra Incognita
2. Governance and Complexity
3. Earth System Complexity
4. Epidemics and Supernetworks
5. Engineering the Planet
6. Financial Markets, Robots and Ecosystems
7. Bridging the 'Anthropocene Gap'
Epilogue: Back to London via the Baltic Sea
References
Index

About the Author
Victor Galaz, Program Director, Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and Associate Professor in Political Science, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Sweden

Reviews
'Victor Galaz opens a new pathway, critically needed, yet breathtaking. In a thoughtful and inspirational manner, he takes on the challenge of how humanity is to navigate the unprecedented scale, speed and complexity of the Anthropocene. The focus is on the interplay between rapid nonlinear global environmental change and emerging technologies, like engineering the planet, tipping points, epidemic surprise or increased connectivity between financial markets, commodity markets, ecosystem services and underlying technologies. In a truly novel way, Galaz moves governance research to the very front of sustainability science and resilience thinking Global Environmental Governance, Technology and Politics is indeed a groundbreaking contribution, highly recommended!'
--Carl Folke, Stockholm University, Sweden

'The idea of the Anthropocene highlights urgent environmental, health and economic challenges facing humanity. This book shows clearly why shifts in power and governance must be core to our responses, but also that new, creative, multi-scale approaches are needed. Candid, reflective and richly-illustrated, this is a must-read contribution to the debate of our age about how to build sustainable futures.'
--Melissa Leach, Institute of Development Studies, Sussex, UK

'Global Environmental Governance, Technology and Politics should top the reading list for anyone interested in exploring the nature of governance and the role of technology in this new human-dominated epoch known as the Anthropocene. Combining insights from complexity, innovation and institutional design, Galaz brings cutting edge research to enlighten the current challenges facing humankind. This is a must read.'
--Michael Schoon, Arizona State University, US

Book Information
ISBN 9781783478910
Author Victor Galaz
Format Paperback
Page Count 208
Imprint Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd
Publisher Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd