A landmark new book is set to change how we think about tackling the climate crisis. It asks a big question: when it comes to climate change, is it better to ‘lock in’ steady, long-term policies, or do we need dramatic political conflict and protests to force real change?
Experts in the field examine stability versus politicisation
Stability and Politicization in Climate Governance is co-edited by Dr Paul Tobin and Professor Matthew Paterson – both leading politics experts from The University of Manchester – alongside Professor Stacy D. VanDeveer from the University of Massachusetts Boston (USA). The book highlights that the debate between ‘stability’ and ‘politicisation’ isn’t as simple as it seems.
For a long time, many policymakers believed that ‘stability’ was the key to successful climate action. This stability meant creating predictable rules that encourage businesses to invest in green solutions, or making laws that are difficult to roll back in the future.
However, the book reveals a significant problem: often, trying to keep things stable just means nothing really changes, which can actually slow down efforts to cut carbon. Studies in the book also show that a focus on stability can perpetuate existing inequalities, making it harder for marginalised communities to participate in climate action.
On the other hand, “politicisation” means bringing climate issues into the public spotlight, challenging powerful interests and sparking debate. The book shows how social movements like the Fridays for Future school strikes in Germany have successfully pushed governments to adopt more ambitious climate strategies. This kind of public pressure can show who really has the power and lead to significant policy changes, like demanding deadlines for phasing out coal.
Climate change or social justice?
However, building pressure isn’t equally easy or safe for all communities. For some groups, like Muslim climate activists in the UK, engaging in protests can be risky because of existing unfairness in society. As one Muslim climate campaigner noted:
When you think about climate change, it is a social justice issue.
The book’s main message is that stability and politicisation aren’t always opposites – they often interact in complex ways. What appears stable may hide underlying conflicts which eventually burst out, while political conflicts can sometimes lead to new forms of stability.
Dr Paul Tobin said:
To truly tackle climate change, we need to create policy spaces that welcome and support everyone, especially communities often left out of the debate. This involves actively integrating the lived experiences and diverse perspectives of marginalised groups directly into policy design. Such inclusive approaches are crucial for overcoming entrenched resistance, and guiding societies towards genuinely transformative and equitable climate action.
Examples from around the world
The book covers examples from around the world – from Brazil to China and South Africa to Norway – across all levels of society from grassroots street activists in California right up to global negotiations. The volume also tackles a wide range of policy areas and sectors including the fossil fuel industry, financial and insurance businesses and electricity companies.
It is available now, and free to read and download from Cambridge University Press.
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