How can a region that is climate change hot-spot, and home of the world's largest coal export port make a transition from 'Carbon Valley' to a future 'Beyond Coal'? In Australia's Hunter Valley, community distress about the cumulative local ecological and human health impacts of mines and power stations and alarm about global climate change has given rise to a vocal, growing and globally-linked social movement that is challenging the rule of King Coal, and demanding a transition from historic coal dependency to a clean energy economy. Using complexity theory and trans-disciplinary science, Geoff Evans explores the dialectics of transformation across linked socio-ecological systems, and identifies principles and political action needed to achieve a just transition sustainability and climate justice - locally and globally. He outlines key principles for just transition to an ecological economy that protects vulnerable communities during times of change. The research highlights the critical role of boosting resilience and adaptive capacity, public investment in the industries of the future, and of alliances between the climate justice, environment and labour movements.
