Changing Mobilities

Climate Change demands a rapid and radical response. Mobility systems the world over must change; and they are changing. Massive global efforts are underway to make transport more sustainable. However, this is mainly focused on technological solutions, and the scale and pace of change is insufficient. The deep inequalities of existing and changing mobility systems amplify the challenge. So how can we change mobilities better? Which are the areas where 'better' matters most? And what approaches can we take - given that many initiatives are already under way? What more can we do? And, most importantly, how can we do it fairly?

Changing Mobilities takes the reader on a journey, beginning with the imperative to act. Buscher and Marsden reflect on the struggle for radical transformation between activism and vested interests. It becomes clear why change is so hard, and so strongly resisted, generating deep inter and intra-generational inequities. But alongside the technocratic macro narratives of 'sustainable' hypermobility there are many initiatives that build alternative mobilities of buen vivir, or good living, in harmony with nature. Buscher and Marsden highlight the need to change not just behaviours but cultural structures of feeling and institutions. They offer a critically hopeful reading of how to overcome the barriers to radical change through agonistic dialogue and experimentation. Change is inevitable as a result of climate change, and there is huge momentum for positive change. Buscher and Marsden argue that a more adaptive and radical footing can be found to enable equitable and sustainable mobile lives.

Changing Mobilities is aimed at researchers, practitioners and citizens who want to bring about positive change for their communities. It allows a deep dive into the systemic problem of climate change, but also provides examples of how research can work with communities to both think and act differently.

The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons [Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC BY)] 4.0 license.