Climate Change and Environmental Ethics

There is a broad consensus that climate change presents the international community with a formidable challenge. Yet progress on all fronts—prevention, mitigation, and adaptation, has been slow. If humanity really faces dire consequences, why has there been such reluctance and resistance to do anything about it? Nanda finds an explanation is the sharp divide between the developed and developing countries on how to act. Developing countries demand that major industrialized nations provide the necessary resources and technology to address climate change, while many developed countries seek firm commitments and timetables on action from the developing countries. The result is a stalemate.

Climate Change and Environmental Ethics explores this question with first-rate research and thinking of scholars from multiple disciplines—ethics, ecology, philosophy, economics, political science, history, and international law. What distinguishes this collection from much recent work on climate change are two of its special features. One is the multi-disciplinary backgrounds of the scholars, their stellar experiences, and the wisdom with which they have expressed not simply their philosophy and theory but also their suggestions for concrete, specific action in practical terms. The second is the special niche this volume fills in its overarching theme of the need for a renewed environmental ethic that can bring together these disparate but interconnected views.

This volume explores alternative ways of conceiving of our relation to the natural world. A spirit of international cooperation and collaboration is needed to meet the challenge, and this book makes a substantial contribution toward that goal. It will compel the reader to think anew about our understanding of the scientific and technical issues, as well as our values and ethical responsibilities regarding climate change.

Ved P. Nanda is John Evans Professor at the University of Denver and Thompson G. Marsh Professor of Law at the University of Denver–Sturm College of Law, where he also serves as director of the International Legal Studies Program. He holds or has held numerous official posts in professional organizations, such as the World Jurist Association, International Law Association, American Society of International Law, and the United States Institute of Human Rights.