P1.7
Ethical Issues in Climate Policy
PAPER WITHDRAWN
Marilyn Averill, CIRES/Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO
Climate change debates appear to focus on science and scientific uncertainties. Is the global climate changing, and if so, what are the causes? How much change is likely? What will the impacts be? Underlying these debates are critical ethical issues about rights, responsibilities, fairness, and equity. We all contribute to climate change, and we will all be affected, but the ethical issues have their own ambiguities. As citizens of local, national, and global communities, we cannot participate effectively in debates about how to deal with climate change without an awareness of the ethical implications. Who should be held responsible for a changing climate? For what and to whom? What duties do those responsible have to protect people from other countries? To protect future generations? To protect ecosystems? What voice do those affected have in deciding what should be done? Who speaks for natural systems? How do spatial and temporal distances affect rights and responsibilities? How should liabilities be allocated among the many causal factors? Are there mitigating circumstances that should reduce responsibility? How should those adversely affected by climate change be protected from or compensated for injuries? What rights and responsibilities do we have as individuals, communities, industries, and nations with respect to climate change? This paper will provide an overview of the ethical issues inherent in climate change, and the difficulties these issues pose for climate policy at all levels.
Poster Session 1, Policy and Socio—Economic Research Poster Session
Monday, 12 January 2009, 2:30 PM-4:00 PM, Hall 5
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