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 editors: Kunnas, Jan
Parent publication: Geo-societal Narratives : Contextualising geosciences
Parent publication editors: Bohle, Martin; Marone, Eduardo
ISBN: 978-3-030-79027-1
eISBN: 978-3-030-79028-8
Publication year: 2021
Pages range: 167-178
Number of pages in the book: 221
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Place of Publication: Cham
Publication country: Switzerland
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79028-8_12
Publication open access: Not 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.
Keywords: global problems; climate changes; emission trade; ethics; global justice; theory of justice
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2021
JUFO rating: 3