Economist Matthew Kahn is supremely confident that our cities will thrive in the hotter future. Urban areas will adapt, he believes, because the creativity generated by economic incentives will encourage the required innovations and trade-offs. In Climatopolis, he argues that economics offers a prism through which we can see climate policy issues more clearly.

Kahn combines economic rigour with a broad knowledge of the parts that science, history and geography play in the threats posed. He writes with passion and includes fascinating stories, many based on developments from recent econometric research. He makes lucid connections between seemingly unrelated topics. Yet in being so unerringly enthusiastic, he comes across as disconnected from the realities of people and politics.

To read the full review by Robert Buckley click here.

Published: Monday, October 25, 2010

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