scholarly journals How Much Do We Value Future Generations? Climate Change, Debt, and Attitudes towards Policies for Improving Future Lives

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm Fairbrother ◽  
Gustaf Arrhenius ◽  
Krister Bykvist ◽  
Timothy Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Alternative Explanation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
National Debt ◽  
Apparent Lack ◽  
Address Climate Change ◽  
Climate Policies ◽  
Representative Samples

Do people care much about future generations? Moral philosophers argue that we should, but it is not clear that laypeople agree. Humanity’s thus-far inadequate efforts to address climate change, for example, could be taken as a sign that people are unconcerned about the well-being of future generations. An alternative explanation is that the lack of action is due to public scepticism about climate policies’ effectiveness, rather than the discounting of future lives per se. Based on surveys and survey experiments with representative samples of respondents in four countries—Sweden, Spain, South Korea, and China—we find that most people say they care about future generations, and would even be willing to reduce their standard of living so that people can enjoy better lives in the future. Many do not, however, support policies for reducing either global warming or the national debt—both of which would impose a net cost on current generations for the benefit of future generations. We show that a significant part of the public’s apparent lack of concern for future generations is actually due to disbelief or distrust in the likely benefits of government actions.

Configurations to Superior Environmental Innovation Strategy: A Both–And Approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 108602662110316
Author(s):  
Tiziana Russo-Spena ◽  
Nadia Di Paola ◽  
Aidan O’Driscoll
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Innovation Strategy ◽  
Environmental Innovation ◽  
Data Set

An effective climate change action involves the critical role that companies must play in assuring the long-term human and social well-being of future generations. In our study, we offer a more holistic, inclusive, both–and approach to the challenge of environmental innovation (EI) that uses a novel methodology to identify relevant configurations for firms engaging in a superior EI strategy. A conceptual framework is proposed that identifies six sets of driving characteristics of EI and two sets of beneficial outcomes, all inherently tensional. Our analysis utilizes a complementary rather than an oppositional point of view. A data set of 65 companies in the ICT value chain is analyzed via fuzzy-set comparative analysis (fsQCA) and a post-QCA procedure. The results reveal that achieving a superior EI strategy is possible in several scenarios. Specifically, after close examination, two main configuration groups emerge, referred to as technological environmental innovators and organizational environmental innovators.

A Multiple Needs Framework for Climate Change Anxiety Interventions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William John Bingley ◽  
Anh Tran ◽  
Candice Boyd ◽  
Kari Gibson ◽  
Elise Katherine Kalokerinos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Psychological Interventions ◽  
Unintended Effects ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Address Climate Change ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Holistic Understanding

Climate change anxiety is a growing problem for individual well-being the world over. However, psychological interventions to address climate change anxiety may have unintended effects on outcomes other than individual well-being, such as group cohesion and pro-environmental behavior. Reflecting this complexity, we outline a multiple needs framework of climate change anxiety interventions, which can be used to analyze interventions in terms of their effects on individual, social, and environmental outcomes. We use this framework to contextualize a systematic review of the literature detailing the effects of climate change anxiety interventions. This analysis identifies interventions centered around problem-focused action, emotion management, and enhancing social connections as those which have positive effects on the widest range of outcomes. It also identifies interventions that may have detrimental effects on one or more outcomes. We identify gaps where more research is required, including research that assesses the effects of climate change anxiety interventions on individual, social and environmental outcomes in concert. An interactive website summarizes these insights and presents the results of the systematic review in a way that is accessible to a range of stakeholders. The multiple needs framework provides a way to conceptualize the effectiveness of climate change anxiety interventions beyond their impact on individual well-being, contributing to a more holistic understanding of the effects of this global phenomenon.

Climate Change and Growth

2021 ◽  
pp. 63-108
Author(s):  
Joseph Heath
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Economic Growth ◽  
Anthropogenic Climate Change ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
Course Of Action ◽  
Growing Economy ◽  
The Impact

Many philosophers believe that we owe it to future generations to prevent significant anthropogenic climate change, and yet do not think that we owe them the benefits of a growing economy. The problem with this view is that under all of the most probable scenarios, the benefits that we could be providing to future generations through ongoing economic growth are enormous, relative to the costs that will be imposed upon them by climate change. As a result, if we are under no obligation to maximize growth—indeed, if we are permitted to pass along to future generations an economy that will permit them to achieve a standard of living no greater than what we enjoy now—then by far the least costly course of action for us is to let climate change occur, then compensate future generations for the impact by making resources available to them to cover the costs of adaptation.

Environmental Human Rights

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerri Woods
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Legal Practice ◽  
Environmental Human Rights ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Key Questions

In recent public and activist debates, threats to the sustainability of the global ecosystem, such as climate change, have increasingly been posed in terms that link the impact on human well-being to questions of rights. Environmental human rights are emerging in national and international legal practice and have been invoked by environmental political theorists seeking to explicate and justify obligations to protect and sustain the environment and to secure justice for both contemporary communities and future generations. This chapter addresses three key questions in order to unpack the concept of environmental human rights: (1) Why adopt a human rights approach? (2) How have environmental human rights been conceived? and (3) What does an account of environmental human rights entail for rights holders and duty bearers?

scholarly journals Can positive and self-transcendent emotions promote pro-environmental behavior?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Zelenski ◽  
Jessica Desrochers
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Environmental Behavior ◽  
Social Behaviors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Environmental Behaviors ◽  
Climate Change Research ◽  
Address Climate Change ◽  
Specific Hypothesis

Many scholars have suggested that people could improve their well-being by developing closer connections with nature, and that this would also promote the sustainable behaviors needed to address climate change. Research generally corroborates this idea, but few studies have examined the more specific hypothesis that positive emotions (caused by nature or otherwise) can directly influence pro-environmental behaviors. In particular, self-transcendent emotions such as awe, compassion, and gratitude can be prompted by nature, and they seem to foster pro-social behaviors. Most pro-environmental behaviors are also pro-social; they require cooperation and they benefit others. Some recent studies suggest that self-transcendent emotions can cause pro-environmental behavior, though results are mixed overall. We identify strategies for future research to resolve these inconclusive suggestions.

scholarly journals The Integration of Nature-Based Solutions into Climate Adaptation Policy and Planning in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samina Islam ◽  
Farah Anzum ◽  
Adiba Bintey Kamal ◽  
Mahmuda Akter ◽  
Ali Mohammad Rezaie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
National Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Address Climate Change ◽  
National Policies ◽  
Specific Implementation ◽  
And Sea Level

Bangladesh is regarded as one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in South Asia due to its unique geographical location and socio-economic conditions. Natural disasters, changing temperatures, precipitation, and sea level rise have affected agricultural production, infrastructure, and livelihoods in the country. To face these challenges, nature-based solutions (NbS) can address climate change adaptation, protection and management of natural ecosystems, and biodiversity conservation. For example, in Bangladesh, coastal mangroves can protect communities from storm surge and sea level rise, forests in hilly regions can prevent landslides, and green spaces in urban areas can reduce heat stress and promote the well-being of inhabitants. However, effective design, implementation, and upscaling of NbS requires support from national policies and plans. This study reviews relevant Bangladeshi national policies from the past three decades to investigate NbS as a potential framework to address climate change and societal challenges in the country. We systematically analyzed twenty policy documents across three sectors: national development; disaster management and climate change; and environment and forest. Our study found growing emphasis on preservation, protection, and management of natural ecosystems in the national policies. However, our analysis showed that among the twenty policies, nineteen of them have no direct mention of NbS terminology. Instead, the policies include various strategies and terminologies that fall under the NbS umbrella, such as ecosystem-based adaptation, ecosystem services, and green and eco-building. However, these policies are still widely missing specific implementation guidelines, robust financial support, and institutional mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating NbS initiatives in Bangladesh. We recommend several policy actions to facilitate effective and inclusive NbS interventions in Bangladesh: enhance inter-ministry cooperation; develop national funding support; develop a national promotional campaign; pursue evidence-based research and capacity-building activities; and involve youth, marginalized people, and women. These actions can optimize the benefits of NbS to enhance the country’s resilience against climate change and foster sustainable development.

scholarly journals Form not Content Dictates the “Smart” City

2021 ◽  
pp. 231-240
Author(s):  
Dhiru Thadani
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Scientific Communities ◽  
Address Climate Change ◽  
The Past ◽  
Traditional Pattern ◽  
Climate Crisis ◽  
Mother Earth

Over the past 50 years, decision-makers, laypersons, scientific communities, and design professions have repeatedly warned of the impending climate crisis caused by overdependence on fossil fuels. The environmental prophets have admonished that mother earth is on the brink of catastrophe. In response, scientific wizards have boasted that technocratic solutions will save the day. The evidence clearly indicates that a drastic change in policies, lifestyle, and consumption habits is necessary if there is to be a livable world for future generations.  Urbanism is the most efficient form of habitation. Embracing and legislating for the traditional pattern of urbanism which is supported by Wi-Fi technology is the livable and sustainable prescription to address climate change and the global dependence on fossil fuels. 

Climate Change and Responsibility to Future Generations: Reflections on the Normative Questions

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-16
Author(s):  
Robert Heeger
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Emission Of Greenhouse Gases

Climate change raises in an important way the problem of moral responsibility. It forces us to recognise that we have a responsibility to future generations, and to ask what this responsibility implies. Here I identify four key normative questions: (1) How should we respond to uncertainty? Should we apply cost-benefit analysis in order to cope with uncertainty? (2) How should we evaluate the emission of greenhouse gases? Given that the effects of emissions will be bad, should we judge that we as emitters harm the receivers and by that do them an injustice? (3) How should we compare present costs and future benefits? Should we give little or much weight to the benefits and well-being of people in the further future? (4) How should we take heed of human rights? Should we try to avoid the adverse outcomes of a cost-benefit approach by adopting a human rights approach that specifies minimum thresholds to which all human beings are entitled?

Gauthier, Property Rights, and Future Generations

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Sauvé
Keyword(s):  
Property Rights ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
Average Life ◽  
Average Life Span ◽  
David Gauthier

In Morals by Agreement David Gauthier proposes four criteria for classifying a society's advancement toward ‘higher stages of human development.' Significantly, these criteria — material well-being, breadth of opportunity, average life-span, and density of population — do not include as an equally valuable achievement the society's capacity to sustain its standard of living (288). Nonetheless Gauthier presents three arguments intended to show that a community founded on his distributive theory will view depletionary resource policies as unreasonable and unacceptable. I shall contend that these arguments do not succeed in motivating sustainable rates of resource exploitation. Furthermore, I argue that if truly just and rational resource use policies can be arrived at, such policies could only succeed by employing a conception of property rights substantially different from Gauthier's.

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