Dialogues on Climate Justice

Description

Written both for general readers and college students, Dialogues on Climate Justice provides an engaging philosophical introduction to climate justice, and should be of interest to anyone wanting to think seriously about the climate crisis. The story follows the life and conversations of Hope, a fictional protagonist whose life is shaped by a terrifyingly real problem: climate change. From the election of Donald Trump in 2016 until the 2060s, the book documents Hope’s discussions with a diverse cast of characters. As she ages, her conversations move from establishing the nature of the problem, to engaging with climate skepticism, to exploring her own climate responsibilities, through managing contentious international negotiations, to considering big technological fixes, and finally, as an older woman, to reflecting with her granddaughter on what one generation owes another. Following a philosophical tradition established by Plato more than two thousand years ago, these dialogues are not only philosophically substantive and carefully argued, but also distinctly human. The differing perspectives on display mirror those involved in real-world climate dialogues going on today. Key Features Written in an engaging dialogue form, which includes characterization, clear exchanges of ideas, and a compelling story arc Clearly organized to allow readers both in-depth consideration and rapid overviews of various topics Memorable examples that enable and encourage discussion inside and outside the classroom An Introduction to the book aimed at instructors, which includes helpful instructions for teaching the book and engaging student assignments Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents Preface Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction Dialogue 1: Why Ethics? Part 1: An Introduction to the Climate Change Problem Introductory Climate Science Climate Politics The Tragedy of the Commons The Climate Commons Part 2: A Perfect Moral Storm The Global Storm The Intergenerational Storm The Ecological Storm The Theoretical Storm and the Threat of Moral Corruption Dialogue 2: Skepticisms Part 1: Scientific Skepticism Is Climate Science a Partisan Issue? Who Should Judge the Science? The Scientific Consensus on Climate The Evidential Standard of Absolute Certainty What Standard of Evidence Should We Adopt? Part 2: Skepticism about the Role of Ethics National Self-Interest Putting a Price on Carbon Three Generation Model Net Zero Argument Familial Self-Interest? Climate Extortion Self-Defense Dialogue 3: Individual Responsibility Part 1: Individual vs Collective Responsibility Is Critiquing Carbon Footprints Condescending? The Question of Carbon Elitism Do Your Carbon Emissions Make a Difference? Structural Emissions Tipping Points and Risks of Severe Harm Agreements and Social Norms Fair Shares Part 2: The Extent of Responsibility Comparing Lives Offsetting Climate Anarchism Anti-Capitalism What Governmental Change Should Individuals Be Fighting for? Dialogue 4: International Justice Part 1: Mitigation and Burden Sharing Why Justice? Setting a Carbon Budget Polluter Pays Principle Appropriator Pays Principle Beneficiary Pays Principle Ability to Pay Principle Equal per Capita Principle Anti-Poverty Principles Part 2: Justice beyond Mitigation Adaptation and Loss & Damage The Capability Approach Noneconomic Values The Threat of Maladaptation: The Great Wall of Lagos Background Injustice and Climate Apartheid Can’t We Just Act on Climate Alone? Dialogue 5: A Big Technological Fix? Part 1: Geoengineering, Some Basics What Is Geoengineering? Differing Visions Every Tool in the Toolbox? Afforestation Bioenergy (BECCS) Direct Air Capture (DAC) Stratospheric Sulfate Injection (SSI) Justification & Context The Threat of Wishful Thinking Necessity Part 2: Intentional Climate Change & the Anthropocene Intention Who Decides? The Lesser Evil? Recognition and Domination Worldviews Anthropocene Dialogue 6: The Future Part 1: Discounting the Future Barriers to Climate Action Economics and the Social Discount Rate Part 2: Climate change as a Challenge to Our Ethical Concepts Harm and the Non-Identity Problem The Concept of Responsibility Respect for Nature Hope and Courage in a Warming World Appendix: Character List Annotated Bibliography Full Bibliography Index