10 - Conclusion

Summary

The concluding chapter brings together the main themes and messages of the book. Chapter 10 argues that the economics for a “fragile planet” is about ensuring that our economies can attain a “safe,” as opposed to “catastrophic” or “uncertain” Anthropocene. To be successful, such a transition must transform our markets, institutions and governance to reduce human impacts on the biosphere; mitigate environmental risks in an inclusive and sustainable manner; and decouple wealth creation and economic prosperity from environmental degradation. Above all, we must end the underpricing of nature so that our institutions, incentives and innovations reflect the growing ecological and natural resource scarcity that our current economic use of the environment has created. Taking this first step is essential to developing an economics for an increasingly fragile planet.