Global temperatures are projected to reach about 4C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century unless countries take meaningful steps to rein in their carbon outputs. Many economists back the idea that raising the cost of burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas is the best way to curb greenhouse gas emissions and limit climate change. Dozens of governments have implemented carbon pricing schemes, yet most countries are not on track to meet their Paris climate targets.

Today in The Conversation Canada, Cameron Roberts from Carleton University looks to history to see how governments have hastened large-scale technological change in the past, and suggests that carbon pricing might be overrated. Take the Netherlands, for example. Sixty years ago, the Dutch discovered what would turn out to be the largest natural gas field in Europe. The trouble was, the country was largely powered by coal. The government embraced the bonanza with sweeping changes: In just five years it built a nationwide network of gas pipelines, retrained coal-workers and encouraged consumers to switch to gas power.Also today:

• What scientists are doing to develop a vaccine for the new coronavirus
• Residential school literature can teach the colonial present and imagine better futures
• How portrayals of the NFL are shaping criminal justice reform

Regards,