What's the Harm in Climate Change?. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Godoy, Eric S.
• Is Part Of: Ethics, policy & environment. Volume 20:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 117
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Environmental ethics -- Periodicals; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; 179.1
• DOI: 10.1080/21550085.2017.1291828
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2155-0085

Abstract

Abstract: A popular argument against direct duties for individuals to address climate change holds that only states and other powerful collective agents must act. It excuses individual actions as harmless since they (1) are neither necessary nor sufficient to cause harm, (2) arise through normal activity, and (3) have no clear victims. Philosophers have challenged one or more of these assumptions; however, I show that this definition of harm also excuses states and other collective agents. I cite two examples of this in public discourse and suggest we reconsider the notion of harmful action in our discussions about climate change.