The Routledge Handbook of Applied Climate Change Ethics

Book excerpt: The Routledge Handbook of Applied Climate Change Ethics is a powerful reference source for the identification and exploration of the underlying ethical issues in climate change law and policy. Bridging theory with practice, it takes ethical engagement out of the classroom and into the halls of governance. The Handbook's 39 chapters--written by a diverse and inter-disciplinary team of experts from around the world--are divided into three parts: I. Introduction II. Case Studies of Ethical Issues in Climate Change Policy Formation III. A Way Forward The Introductory section highlights the need for applied ethics in climate governance and offers a methodology for spotting and responding to ethical issues that arise in climate change policy formation. It raises key questions, like: What are the underlying duties and guiding ethical principles in climate change discourse? What are the obligations of individuals, organizations, businesses, and even wealthy nations? The second section then turns to the case studies of ethical issues that arise in climate change policy formation, addressing questions like, what are the ethical issues that arise in GHG emission reduction policies, on the need for a government to mitigate, adapt, and account for losses and damages? And crucially, what are the tactics used to oppose climate policies - how can we respond to disinformation, denialism, and ignorance? Finally, the third section closes with a Way Forward, with strategies to overcome the failure to take ethics into consideration. The volume is essential reading for students, professors, and practitioners who wish to better engage with government and non-government organizations on climate policy, to better understand the practical application of the theory and philosophy of ethics, and how to more strongly draft and defend ethical action in negotiating, drafting, and defending climate law and policy.