"This book deals with the most pressing social and environmental issues that we face today. The transition to a post-carbon society, in which the consumption of fossil fuels decreases over time, has become inevitable due to the need to prevent catastrophic climate change, the increasing cost and scarcity of energy, and complex combinations of these factors. As the authors point out, this will not only entail political adjustments and replacing some technologies by others, but will be accompanied by social and cultural changes that will bring substantial transformations to our societies and ways of life. This book examines whether current conditions favour a benign and smooth transition or one that is more difficult and conflictive. While this transformation is unavoidable, the directions it will take are uncertain and will result in many different post-carbon societies. 'Transitioning to a post-carbon society' therefore represents a significant contribution to global debates on the environment, and is vital reading for academics, policymakers, business leaders, NGOs and the general public alike." -- from rear cover.