Global Justice and Climate Change
I am co-writing a book (with Derek Bell) on Global Justice and Climate Change (under contract to Oxford University Press). The book identifies 10 ethical issues raised by the prospect of climate change. It then proceeds to outline and defend an account of justice that is equipped to address these issues. This account affirms both minimal principles of justice (understood as principles which specify the most morally urgent objectives, and which take priority over other concerns) and maximal principles of justice (understood as those principles which specify what is fully just). With this in mind we develop accounts of: how to evaluate climatic impacts (Q1), what constitutes "dangerous" climate change and what level of protection from the ill effects of climate change is required by justice (Q2). Furthermore, since the projections of both (a) future changes in the climate system and (b) the effects of these climatic changes on persons' interests are characterised by risk and uncertainty we examine what justice requires in the face of risk and uncertainty (Q3). In addition to this, since the emission of greenhouse gases has effects far into the future, and, thus, our actions now affect the interests of future persons, we examine what obligations members of one generation owe to future generations (Q4). In the course of doing this we analyse the concept (used by economists to capture intertemporal choice) of the social discount rate, and we evaluate the significance of each of its component parts. Finally, when evaluating the challenges posed by climate change, we also consider whether the 'global' nature of the problem has fundamental normative significance and makes a difference as to the rights and principles that apply (Q5).
Having identified why climate change is unjust and what level of protection of current and future persons are entitled to, the book then turns to consider who is responsible for combating climate change and how the burdens of mitigation, adaptation and compensation should be distributed (Q6). To do so we also examine how the opportunity to engage in activities which emit greenhouse gases should be distributed (Q7). Once we have ascertained what level of protection is required and who should bear the burden of combating climate change, we then examine what other principles, if any, should inform which mitigation, adaptation and compensation policies are adopted (Q8). The policies designed to prevent dangerous climatic changes often themselves raise a number of ethical concerns. (Consider, for example, opposition to, and misgivings about, emissions trading schemes (like the EU ETS), other sources of energy (e.g. biofuels, nuclear energy, hydraulic fracturing and hydroelectric power), and geo-engineering. Or consider, the implications of policies like REDD and the stranding of carbon assets for the world's least advantaged.) Are additional principles required to govern what mitigation and other climate policies are adopted? The book concludes by discussing both what principles should guide trade-offs in tragic cases when it is not possible to realise all the principles defended earlier in the book (Q9), and what kind of political institutions are needed to prevent dangerous climate change in an effective and procedurally just manner (Q10).
I am co-writing a book (with Derek Bell) on Global Justice and Climate Change (under contract to Oxford University Press). The book identifies 10 ethical issues raised by the prospect of climate change. It then proceeds to outline and defend an account of justice that is equipped to address these issues. This account affirms both minimal principles of justice (understood as principles which specify the most morally urgent objectives, and which take priority over other concerns) and maximal principles of justice (understood as those principles which specify what is fully just). With this in mind we develop accounts of: how to evaluate climatic impacts (Q1), what constitutes "dangerous" climate change and what level of protection from the ill effects of climate change is required by justice (Q2). Furthermore, since the projections of both (a) future changes in the climate system and (b) the effects of these climatic changes on persons' interests are characterised by risk and uncertainty we examine what justice requires in the face of risk and uncertainty (Q3). In addition to this, since the emission of greenhouse gases has effects far into the future, and, thus, our actions now affect the interests of future persons, we examine what obligations members of one generation owe to future generations (Q4). In the course of doing this we analyse the concept (used by economists to capture intertemporal choice) of the social discount rate, and we evaluate the significance of each of its component parts. Finally, when evaluating the challenges posed by climate change, we also consider whether the 'global' nature of the problem has fundamental normative significance and makes a difference as to the rights and principles that apply (Q5).
Having identified why climate change is unjust and what level of protection of current and future persons are entitled to, the book then turns to consider who is responsible for combating climate change and how the burdens of mitigation, adaptation and compensation should be distributed (Q6). To do so we also examine how the opportunity to engage in activities which emit greenhouse gases should be distributed (Q7). Once we have ascertained what level of protection is required and who should bear the burden of combating climate change, we then examine what other principles, if any, should inform which mitigation, adaptation and compensation policies are adopted (Q8). The policies designed to prevent dangerous climatic changes often themselves raise a number of ethical concerns. (Consider, for example, opposition to, and misgivings about, emissions trading schemes (like the EU ETS), other sources of energy (e.g. biofuels, nuclear energy, hydraulic fracturing and hydroelectric power), and geo-engineering. Or consider, the implications of policies like REDD and the stranding of carbon assets for the world's least advantaged.) Are additional principles required to govern what mitigation and other climate policies are adopted? The book concludes by discussing both what principles should guide trade-offs in tragic cases when it is not possible to realise all the principles defended earlier in the book (Q9), and what kind of political institutions are needed to prevent dangerous climate change in an effective and procedurally just manner (Q10).