Climate Change Ethics — Revision Notes

⚡ 30-Second Revision

- 1992: UNFCCC — equity and differentiated responsibilities.
2015: Paris — mitigation, adaptation and loss-and-damage distinctions.
2023: IPCC synthesis — 2011–2020 warming about 1.1°C above 1850–1900.
Decision test: contribution, capability, vulnerability, voice.

2-Minute Revision

An emissions total measures a physical contribution, not a complete duty allocation. Finance and protection may follow different criteria. Assess a transition package by both avoided harm and the burdens left with workers or low-income users. Future people matter even though they cannot negotiate today.

5-Minute Revision

Compare immediate closure of a hypothetical polluting plant with phased closure plus verified worker support. List one benefit, one burden and one implementation risk for each. Explain which evidence would change the choice. Finish by distinguishing an ethical compensation argument from the legal authority needed to pay it.

Vyyuha Quick Recall

CCVV = Contribution, Capability, Vulnerability, Voice: four separate justice questions.