A wind farm at sunrise.

Climate Change and Energy

Climate change has shot to the top of the world agenda. But until our economic system is radically changed, we won't be able to tackle climate change effectively.

Leading scientists are now warning that we are on the verge of losing the climatic conditions in which civilisation emerged. If left unchecked, global warming will become irreversible, leading to huge economic, environmental and human costs.

Climate change affects everyone. But it is the poorest people in the world - those who have done least to cause it - who are already suffering from the effects of global warming.

nef believes that climate change is just one symptom of a malfunctioning economic system. In order to tackle it, we need major paradigm shift in the way we organise our economy and society. But this doesn’t have to mean impossible sacrifices. By making a Great Transition to a low-carbon economy, we can build more convivial ways of living and rediscover our common humanity.  Rapid de-carbonisation will not only help us stop climate change, its an opportunity to build a better society.

Key facts

  1. 1
    Climate change could cause 200 million people to become refugees by 2050
  2. 2
    The greenhouse effect was first discovered by Joseph Fourier in 1824
  3. 3
    Approximately 65 per cent of the annual growth in carbon dioxide emissions is due to the increase in global economic activity

Projects

  • A boy pushes a bicycle past freight containers in Tanzania | by twocentsworth

    Interdependence

    Globalisation and over-consumption pushing the planet into ecological debt. Rich countries must consume less so that we can live within the limits of our ecological resources.

  • The sun sets on an oil field | by swisscan

    Unburnable carbon

    If we are to prevent catastrophic climate change and stay below the 'safe' 2°C threshold then much of our remaining fossil fuel reserves will have to remain firmly in the ground.

  • Ivy growing through the cracks in a building | by Yume Photo

    Breaking our carbon chains

    Addressing climate change is a chance for liberation. We can be happier once we've stepped off the consumer treadmill, and moving to a low-carbon economy will address entrenched injustices.

  • A house in a field, with a storm cloud gathering overhead

    The Green New Deal

    In order to tackle the 'triple crunch' of climate change, economic crisis and oil depletion, we need a Green New Deal.

  • The Earth from space

    One Hundred Months

    Time is running out to tackle climate change. We may have only a matter of months before we pass a crucial climate tipping point.

  • Carbon ration books in suitcases.

    Ration Me Up

    What would life be like if we lived within our equitable carbon rations? Find out with this new ration book from the Ministry of Trying to Do Something About It.

  • The High Line in New York, a disused railway line which is now a public park

    The Great Transition

    Finding ways to survive and thrive through financial crises, climate change and the peak and decline of global oil production.

Publications