The Values
Sometimes it seems obvious what we 'ought' to do about climate change, but so few respond to this apparent 'ought' that we have to consider all manner of other ethical perspectives. I often reflect on these questions in the form of notes or sometimes formal letters, messages to a hypothetical great-great-great grand-daughter living in the 22nd century. Here's a short sample
Ethical puzzles: Doing the right and wrong things. 2004 (doc)
In recent years I have been troubled by the tendency to treat Climate Change as merely one of many problems we need to solve. This is well-reflected by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which have become a touchstone for demonstrating a humane and enlightened approach to international development. I regard them as an infraction of intergenerational equity, but get no thanks for my surly views! See my comments
Remarks on the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2020
I have sometimes used 'Sweden' (in inverted commas) as a metaphor for the ultimate neo-Holocene state where all humanity has achieved a secure and prosperous life -- a state for which the Scandinavian countries have long served as a stereotype. This is the presentation form of a lecture given in the real Sweden, to discuss ethical issues and persuade Swedes that they could show the rest of the world how to do it. They are of course laughingly deprecating about their country, and insist that these days Denmark is the poster-nation for contemporary ethical balance. But at that time, Sweden held the crown.
Getting through to 'Sweden' 2006 (ppt)
This presentation argues that a 'strong' stand on climate policy arises from ordinary values that most people claim to have, but do not act upon. What is sometimes called ‘denialism’ must outrage ordinary common sense and decent values.
Climate Change and Everyday Values 2010 (ppt)
Puzzlement about why 'ordinary values' are not enough to provoke even meaningful debate, let alone resolute action, can easily lead to despair, reflected in this note
Is it time to give up? 2012 (doc)
Further explorations of despair are found in this pair of items, a public lecture and some notes to go with it. The lecture is incomprehensible without the notes, so do the notes first. But note this:
These were lecture notes for a public lecture given at Bath University in 2013. I wanted to bare my soul and express my deepest fears. It was not well received. The audience wanted hope, uplift. I never repeated it.
Good Grief! The Next Fifty Years 2013 (ppt)
Good Grief: Notes 2013 (doc)
In retrospect it is possible these gloomy views arose from the rude dashing of the high hopes of 2008, before the Copenhagen debacle, and before 'Climategate' showed how desperate were many for even the flimsiest justification for denialism. But that even bien pensant opinion is reluctant to engage, remains a paradox:
The Giddens Paradox 2013 (docx)