Is Climate Change an Ethical Issue?

Question:

Broome mentions that how we deal with climate change in our generation is an ethical issue. Do you agree that our decisions and actions relating to climate change are ethical issues? Give your reasons and support them with clear evidence.

Climate change, a global environmental phenomenon, is posing warnings to the Earth’s residents. Heat waves, storms, floods, tropical diseases are slowly killing a daunting number of the world population (Broome, 2008). Therefore, authorities are to make immediate decisions so that actions can be taken to resolve this life-threatening issue. However, making the right decisions is a demanding task to do; various aspects need to be taken into account in order to bring forth a rational and thoughtful solution. Thus, I am convinced that decisions and actions relating to climate change is an ethical issue.

First and foremost, there exists a conflict between the well-being of the present generation and the future generation. Our deed today is the molder of tomorrow. The massive industrial processes are continuously contributing to the greenhouse gases in the air, the principal cause of climate change. In contrast, industrial is the main source of revenue for most developed as well as developing countries; without which, the impact on economy could be devastating. It brings wealth and prosperity to the people now; on the other hand, creating a severely polluted and dreadful environment to our descendents. So, the question is, do you have the ethics to sacrifice the luxuries in life for the future generation which is yet to exist?

The second reason that makes decisions and actions on climate change an ethical one is due to the exploitation of the wealthy on the poor ones. Considering the cost for manpower and the environmental consequence, corporations often set up factories in third world countries as well as some of the developing countries. Although this will help to boost the economy of the less developed nations, it gives an irrevocable impact on the people and environment. More factories would mean more greenhouse gases and pollution; it also means warmer weather, dirtier air and more environment-induced illness. In other words, they are a group of unfortunate people being victimized for commercial profit.

In addition, as mentioned by Broome (2008), weighing costs against benefits does not tell us what should be done to cease climate change. It is human’s norm to have the reluctance to invest when we have to pay for things that takes a long period of time to be effective. This is especially discernible when economy crisis strikes the globe. Everyone is trapped within their own financial problems; in turn, environmental concern is not a priority anymore. However, one should always bear in mind that a short term pain will in turn gives a long term gain.

In aid to resolve this global environmental issue, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is responsible for recommendations in policy-making. Based on scientific research and evidence, IPCC is to suggest and advise the policy makers on what should be done to cease the impact of climate change in the world. Scientific facts do not tell us what is morally right and what is not (Somerville, 2008). Therefore, the panel would have to consider not only the physical applicability but also the long-term effect on the environment and people in implementing a certain policy. This further strengthens the point that issues related to climate change are ethical ones.

For these reasons, I assert that decisions and actions relating to climate change is an ethical issue. For the equality between rich and poor, the long-term benefits of reducing emission of greenhouse gases and most importantly, the well-being of our future generation; be thoughtful and considerate when making a decision or committing an action that could potentially contribute to climate change.

References

Broome, J. (2008, May 19). The Ethics of Climate Change. Scientific American Scientific Magazine. Retrieved November 4, 2008, from

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-ethics-of-climate-change

Somerville, R.C.J. (2008, March 6). The Ethics of Climate Change. Yale Environment 360. Retrieved November 4, 2008, from

http://e360.yale.edu/content/feature.msp?id=1365