How Should One Respond to Climate Change? A Rights-Based Ethical Theory's Approach to the Problem

Abstract

This chapter explores how a rights-based ethical theory informs responses to climate change, asserting that the issue should be framed as a moral imperative. The theory contends that anthropogenic climate change violates individuals’ moral rights, necessitating urgent mitigation efforts, including achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. However, it acknowledges the challenges posed by competing priorities, such as poverty reduction and energy access. The discussion extends to evaluating global and national energy policies, emphasizing the ethical dimensions of energy choices. A key focus is on the role of renewable energy sources and the contentious question of nuclear energy, analysed within a rights-based framework. While energy politics is central to climate ethics, the chapter acknowledges broader ecological concerns, such as reducing energy demand and preventing deforestation. Ultimately, the chapter highlights that addressing climate change requires not only technological and policy solutions but also a fundamental ethical commitment to protecting affected individuals’ rights.