A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Climate Change, Uncertainty and Ethical Superstorms (2021)


Kunnas, J. (2021). Climate Change, Uncertainty and Ethical Superstorms. In M. Bohle, & E. Marone (Eds.), Geo-societal Narratives : Contextualising geosciences (pp. 167-178). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79028-8_12


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsKunnas, Jan

Parent publicationGeo-societal Narratives : Contextualising geosciences

Parent publication editorsBohle, Martin; Marone, Eduardo

ISBN978-3-030-79027-1

eISBN978-3-030-79028-8

Publication year2021

Pages range167-178

Number of pages in the book221

PublisherPalgrave Macmillan

Place of PublicationCham

Publication countrySwitzerland

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79028-8_12

Publication open accessNot open

Publication channel open access

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/78393


Abstract

I argue that one of the most urgent tasks of geoethics is how to deal with climate change in a just and equitable way. At worst, our current path could lead to multi-metre sea-level rise, increases in storms and climate extremes, causing devastating social disruption and economic consequences. I present some alternatives on how to handle this alarming prospect, arguing that we cannot condense our decision-making on climate change into numerical calculations, but should instead make ethical judgements. The commonly used expected utility maximation can be considered a gamble on future generations’ expense for the benefit of the current ones. Thus, from a Rawlsian perspective, we will instead choose the maximin principle, which tells us to adopt the alternative whose worst outcome is superior to the other alternatives. Justice also requires us to make amendments for past emissions. A calculation of the cumulative cost of carbon dioxide emissions shows that developed countries bear the primary responsibility for climate change. A mutual debt cancellation between developed countries’ carbon debts versus developing countries’ conventional monetary debt would solve past grievances, while unilateral measures to curb climate change would provide examples for others to follow.


Keywordsglobal problemsclimate changesemission tradeethicsglobal justicetheory of justice


Contributing organizations


Ministry reportingYes

VIRTA submission year2021

JUFO rating3


Last updated on 2024-12-10 at 10:46