Climate Matters : Ethics in a Warming World

A vital new moral perspective on the climate change debate.

Esteemed philosopher John Broome avoids the familiar ideological stances on climate change policy and examines the issue through an invigorating new lens. As he considers the moral dimensions of climate change, he reasons clearly through what universal standards of goodness and justice require of us, both as citizens and as governments. His conclusions―some as demanding as they are logical―will challenge and enlighten. Eco-conscious readers may be surprised to hear they have a duty to offset all their carbon emissions, while policy makers will grapple with Broome’s analysis of what if anything is owed to future generations. From the science of greenhouse gases to the intricate logic of cap and trade, Broome reveals how the principles that underlie everyday decision making also provide simple and effective ideas for confronting climate change. Climate Matters is an essential contribution to one of the paramount issues of our time.

Johnathan "Hugh" Broome is an Associate Teaching Professor at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he obtained his Ph.D. in Supramolecular Chemistry. From 2020 – 2023, Dr. Broome served as the Associate Director in the USM Center for Faculty Development and as the University’s Academic Integrity Officer, where he oversaw the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Fellows and the Learning Assistant Program. Currently, Dr. Broome researches student anxiety and attitudes surrounding chemistry. He has published articles and book chapters on supramolecular chemosensors of transition metals and psychoactive substances. He is the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad Coordinator for the local section and is a member of Chemists Without Borders.