America's Climate Problem

What America does – or fails to do – in the next few years to solve the problem of climate change will largely determine the fate of the earth and humanity for centuries to come. Despite the efforts by some states, local governments and individual citizens to respond, controversy still embroils national efforts to come up with a solution.

This book by Robert Repetto, a leading environmental economist, lets the reader cut through the confusion and political rhetoric and understand the way to resolve the climate problem. It explains in clear, accessible language how a sensible national policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can bring about a transition to clean energy sources while preserving healthy economic growth and high standards of living. It shows where the pitfalls are in developing a climate solution, how they can be avoided, and how to bring resistant interest groups on board.

America cannot act alone but other nations will not take action if the United States does not lead, and this book explains how America can successfully promote international cooperation on climate solutions. Never has there been an environmental problem of such importance. Every citizen will benefit from the insight this book provides in solving it successfully.

Robert Repetto, an economist, is well-known for his writings on a broad range of environmental policy issues. He is currently Senior Fellow at the United Nations Foundation, working with its climate and energy program. Previously, he was Professor in the Practice of Economics & Sustainable Development at the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and, before that, for fifteen years was vice president of the World Resources Institute in Washington DC, directing its work on environmental economics. Earlier in his career, he was an Associate Professor in economics and public health at Harvard University. He has been an advisor to governments on environment and the economy in the United States, Canada, Indonesia, Bangladesh and India.