CLIMATE MATTERS IN WEST OXFORDSHIRE
We have covered many topics at Wychwood Circle, from atheism
to antropology, from compassion to
cosmology, and from poetry to politics, but
it wouldn’t do for an outward-looking group like ours, open to discussing
almost anything with anybody, to neglect one of the biggest issues of our
time. With the promising Paris talks on climate
change in December and almost monthly reports of record temperatures or
unprecedented weather conditions, it was high time to turn to the big one: what
is our responsibility to our environment, both as individuals and as citizens?
In other words, just what are the Ethics of Climate Change?
We are fortunate indeed to have Professor John Broome join
us on June 5th. Until last
year he was White’s Professor of Moral Philosophy at Oxford and he wrote a
fascinating if disturbing article in the faculty magazine (Oxford Philosophy 2014 - scroll to pp 8-11). John Broome spent
several years as Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) and in this piece – entitled CLIMATE CHANGE IS A MORAL PROBLEM – he
recounts in detail the long process of producing an internationally acceptable
Assessment Report for the UN. It soon
becomes clear that climate change is a political and diplomatic problem
too.
You cannot of course avoid the economics of climate change –
what a boon for the PPE-ers of this world! – and John Broome knows all about
that too. In his very readable 2012
book, CLIMATE
MATTERS: ETHICS IN A WARMING WORLD, there is a chapter on
Economics (externalities, inefficiency, waste) as well as one on Justice and
Fairness and – beware of being challenged about your lifestyle and not just
your politics! – one on Private Morality.
The Amazon blurb reads as follows:
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.
Most of our events at Wychwood Circle this season have had
at least some reference to faith – even on Mindfulness someone wondered if
Jesus was ‘mindful’ – and it would be hard to uncouple belief in our
environment from a spiritual outlook, if not a religious one. However, it is worth saying that we have
invited Professor Broome with no idea whatsoever of his faith position, if any.
Climate matters: John Broome wrote
the book. He’s an Oxford philosopher, a
world authority, and was good enough to accept our invitation. We look forward to being stimulated by his
talk.
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