Climate Conversations
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Delegates
    • Alumni and Advisors
  • Climate Conversation
    • Policy
    • Science and Technology
    • Science Communication
    • COP Collection
    • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Find Us
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Delegates
    • Alumni and Advisors
  • Climate Conversation
    • Policy
    • Science and Technology
    • Science Communication
    • COP Collection
    • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Find Us

Climate Conversations

COP27

Maddie Smith: With Liberty and Climate Justice for All?

25/11/2016

19 Comments

 
I’ve been thinking a lot about justice the past few days.

Climate change is among the biggest injustices our world currently faces. At COP22 I attended panel after panel filled with speakers marginalized by climate change. They included people from small island nations that will be underwater as sea levels continue to rise, indigenous women worried about the survival of their culture in the face of climate change, and activists concerned about how to hold countries accountable to their NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) that each country has committed to through the Paris Agreement. These people share common fears and hope for the future.
​
COP22 was filled with optimism. But at the same time, I fear there will not be justice. 
Picture
Protest at COP22: The Human Face of Climate Change
A woman from the Maldives, a small island nation, said quite convincingly, “We cannot have climate justice without ensuring the lives of all people on the planet.” It is no secret that those whose lives will be most affected by climate change are not those who are contributing the most to it. If you’re not convinced, check out the CAIT Climate Equity Explorer, a nifty interface that lets you compare up to 12 different nations on various factors such as current emissions, vulnerability, and development indicators.
​
The inequalities of climate change are well studied and well known. In other words, they are facts. Unfortunately, in the world of climate change denial the boundary between facts and opinions is getting harder to see. In a press conference at COP22, the head US Negotiator and the State Department Special Envoy for Climate Change, Dr. Jonathan Pershing, quoted Daniel Patrick Moynihan in reference to climate change deniers: “You are entitled to your own opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.”

Climate change deniers treat their opinions that climate change is not real or is not a problem as facts. This is a very common exercise of free speech, but one that should be analyzed carefully.  We all know that it is unacceptable to falsely yell “FIRE!” in a crowded theater because an ensuing panic could hurt others.

Why do we not treat climate change denial in the same way?     

On his website, Ethics and Climate, Don Brown has written on why climate change denial is neither “responsible scientific skepticism” nor a reasonable exercise of free speech. His blog is intriguing, and if you have some free time I highly recommend it. 

​At the very least, climate change is ethically unacceptable. At the worst, climate change denial is a crime against humanity. In his Nov. 16th speech to the COP, US Secretary of State John Kerry stated that falling short in meeting the challenge of limiting global temperature increase to 2°C would be “the single greatest instance in modern history of a generation in a time of crisis abdicating responsibility for the future. And it won’t just be a policy failure; because of the nature of this challenge, it will be a moral failure, a betrayal of devastating consequence.” 
Picture
US Secretary of State John Kerry giving a speech at COP22 on November 16, 2016.
I am currently taking a Social and Political Philosophy class, and we’ve spent the semester discussing what justice looks like and how a just society would operate. I’ve learned how to reason through a philosophy argument, and how to spot fallacies in the arguments of others. We’ve debated the merits and potential problems of different political philosophies. That’s the thing with philosophy: you have to be able to back up your argument.

There is no reasonable, fact-based way to back up the climate change denial argument. Climate change denial is immoral. Denial justifies inaction. Inaction leads to very real consequences that cost people their lives. In John Kerry’s words, “No one has a right to make decisions that affect billions of people based on solely ideology or without proper input.”

There is no “international climate change court.” We cannot place a country on trial for failing to act on climate change. However, it was recently ruled that a lawsuit filed by 21 youth plaintiffs against the US government and fossil fuel companies could proceed on the basis that failing to act on climate change violates their constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property. In 2015, a landmark decision in the Netherlands is forcing the Dutch government to cut emissions by 25% within five years. The decision marked the first time that human rights and tort law were invoked in a lawsuit involving climate liability.

We will have to wait and see if courts are even capable of providing the justice the future of the planet is depending on. If not, we will have to rely on our own moral compasses to convince our leaders to act. Near the end of his speech, Kerry said “We have to continue to hold each other accountable for the choices that our nations make.”
​
An individual person’s moral convictions are a powerful thing. I am writing this blogpost out of a deep-rooted unwavering conviction that failing to act on climate change is profoundly selfish, ignorant, wrong, and unjust.  
Someday there will be a US Presidential election where climate justice isn’t a partisan issue. It is up to us to make it as soon as possible. Until then, we must hold each other accountable for the moral failures of our society with our hearts and our heads, and hope that justice won’t be served too late. 
19 Comments
Sandy
29/11/2016 11:57:34 am

I too recently heard that under the new administration our stance is to deny climate change in the United States. But this shouldn't come as a surprise, it's been said that global warming was just a hoax created by the Chinese government to scam the United States. As you've said before, there is factual information and there are ignorant opinions. It has been proved again and again in many different ways that global warming does exist. This isn't political, this is strictly fact based. I too have heard of the lawsuit that is currently taking place against the current administration. Now more than ever it is important for this case to win. Every single piece of scientific information regarding the environment is pointing towards how this is destroying our earth at a much faster rate than normally. But under this new administration where we will completely ignore the issue of climate change, we will be decreasing earths lifespan many years. In the past few years alone we have made so many advancements to have a better future. With almost every country having joined the Paris Agreement, this shows how this issue is becoming very crucial to address as the consequences for not doing so are massive and are getting closer each day that passes. Also, 2016 is the first year where more money has been invested in clean energy than in coal and fossil fuels. We have made so many advancement and have come so far that that to throw it all away would set us back so many years. It is so crucial for this lawsuit to go through to the Supreme Court and for it to be made clear that by depleting and destroying our earth and its resources we really are making future generation lives at risk.

Reply
Gracen
5/12/2016 07:29:49 am

I fully agree with your statement that not agreeing with or refusing to find ways to prevent climate change is selfish, ignorant, wrong, and unjust. I too hope that one day, our elections do not have to focus on whether climate change is a problem, but rather involve discussion as to what each candidate plans to do to resolve climate change for the four years in office. I believe that while it is our duty to believe in the facts, it is also our duty to educate those who do not believe due to lack of education, into understanding why our cause matters. That is our duty and to ignore that is just as wrong. I hope that the results of this election does not push us farther away from an election with both candidates knowing climate change is real and not a hoax.

Reply
Right to Life link
11/12/2016 09:02:07 am

Living on this planet will eventually boil down to the right to life and space if we don't find ways to curtail global warming. It's obvious the powers to be are not concerned with the rest of the world's problem of survival when seas levels rise or other disasters hit. Cudo's to the 21 students that are taking action for their constitutional rights to life.

Reply
Caroline Haller
14/12/2016 01:26:26 pm

I know all to well the moral conflicts that come with your loved ones denying climate change. All around me I have friends, family and coworkers who are having the same debate over and over again, "why should we believe in climate change when theres evidence against in?" My answer to them has always been the same, "because its not a gamble that we can afford to lose as a race."

It blows my mind when I hear people deny facts that have been proven time and time again all because people with no scientific background say that climate change is a myth. What makes me even more angry is that people who deny climate change will read article after article about why its a myth but will ever take the time to sit down and look at straight facts.

As we move into a new presidency I am increasingly getting more nervous about having a president that denies climate. The masses will look to him as a leader, and people who already deny climate change will be validated whereas people who do support it may question if they are correct. If we as a race are going to make the needed changes in order to save this planet than the changes need to start with people who are in a position of power. Without changes taking place within our government I worry that the changes we need to make will be put off indefinitely, or until this presidency is over.

Reply
osman ibrahim
20/9/2017 03:21:30 pm

Do you need an urgent loan for business or to pay bills at 2% interest rate? We offer Personal Loan, Real Estate Loan, Business Loan and others to prospective individuals, companies, cooperate bodies as well as organizations. No matter your credits score ranging from $5000 dollars to $20,000,000.00 duration period of 1 to 30 years Please allow up to 12 hours after applying for a loan to be contacted Any interested person should contact us with the below information. Email Us: ibrahimfunds5@gmail.com Tell: +919818473167 First Name:__________ Last Name:_________ Age:__________ Gender:__________ Address:____________ Country:_________ MARITAL STATUS:__________ OCCUPATION:__________ MONTHLY INCOME:__________ Mobil Number:__________ LOAN AMOUNT NEEDED:__________ Loan Amount Needed:__________ Loan Duration:__________ Purpose Of Loan:__________ Email Us: ibrahimfunds5@gmail.com Tell: +919818473167

Reply
Gaven Sovero
24/10/2017 09:54:01 am

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog post. I especially liked your analogy about yelling "fire" in a crowded theater. This point really puts climate change denial in to perspective. It sounds like you learned quite a bit at COP22. Keep up the good work!

Reply
max william
17/1/2019 01:07:43 pm

Do you need Finance?
Are you looking for Finance?
Are you looking for a money to enlarge your business?
We help individuals and companies to obtain loan for business
expanding and to setup a new business ranging any amount. Get a loan at affordable interest rate of 3%, Do you need this cash/loan for business and to clear your bills? Then send us an email now for more information contact us now via Email:maxcreditfinance@googlemail.com

Reply
Alice Beatrice
30/3/2019 05:28:45 am


A lot of us are still unaware of the recent development of the Blank ATM card.. An ATM card that can change your financial status within few days. With this Blank ATM card, you can withdraw between €1000-€10,000 daily from any ATM machine in the world. There is no risk of getting caught by any form of security if you followed the instructions properly. The Blank ATM card is also sophisticated due to the fact that the card has its own security making your transaction very safe and untraceable. For more info contact us with the below address and you can also watch our YouTube to read customers review.E-mail: blankatm002@gmail.com

Reply
clemalpha
11/6/2019 10:39:01 am


DO YOU NEED A LOAN, OR YOU WANT TO REFINANCE YOUR HOME, PAY OFF BILLS, EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS WITH 3% INTEREST RATE? LOOK NO FURTHER CONTACT Via:Email: abubakarloanservice@gmail.com  whatspp +91-9818603391

Reply
Mills Dachin
29/8/2019 11:37:18 am

Hi it's another Xmas countdown, take good chance of this advantage DISCOUNT by settling you bills etc!! HACKING CARD/ LOANS FROM CARD TO CARD.
Are you doubting your spouse, your thoughts can be right you know. hacking is what I do try me & see for yourself.

*Facebook Hacking Tricks
* Database Hacking
* G-mail/AOL/Yahoomail/ Inbox Hacks
*Control Device Remotely Hack
*University Grade Upgraded
*Wiping of Credit Cards/ Increase Credit Cards Hacks
*Western Union & Money
*Bitcoin Flipping $ mining
*Gram Hacks
*Loan Transfer
*Hacking Card (ATM)
*Recover your lost Facebook/Gmail/ password etc & Bitcoin Lost
*Talking SEX DOLL

All you need do just Email:- pointekhack@gmail.com/phdatabasesolution@gmail.com %100✓ guarantee

Reply
SMITH LARRY
23/5/2020 11:59:07 am

We are a Finance Industry Company professionals with over 15 Years Experience and a focus on providing Bank Guarantee {BG}, Standby Letter of Credit {SBLC}, Medium Term Notes {MTN}, Confirmable Bank Draft {CBD} as well as other financial instruments issued from AAA Rated bank such as HSBC Bank Hong Kong, HSBC Bank London, Deutsche Bank AG Frankfurt, Barclays Bank , Standard Chartered Bank , Credit Suisse e.t.c. at the lowest available rates depending on the face value of the instrument needed.

FEATURES:

Bank Guarantees & SBLC’s in Standard Formats from Major Banks!
Amounts from $1 million to 5 Billion+
Euro’s or US Dollars
Great Attorney Trust Account Protection
Delivered via MT760 Swift with Full Bank Responsibility
MT799 and MT103 preadvice included
Brokers Always Protected

Purchase Instrument of BG/SBLC : 32%+2% Minimum Face Value = EUR/USD 1M
Lease Instrument of BG/SBLC : 4%+2% Minimum Face Value = EUR/USD 1M

Interested Agents/Brokers, Investors and Individual proposing international project funding should contact us for directives.We will be glad to share our working procedures with you upon request.We are RWA ready.

Best Regards
Management.

For All inquires Contact Us Below MR : SMITH LARRY.
Email : globalfinancheritageplc@gmail.com 

Reply
johnny smith link
9/7/2020 03:56:13 pm

Do you need to hack into any, databaseserver spy on Facebook,Emails, Whatsapp, Viber, Snapchat, Instagram and many more.
I urge you to get in touch with the best people for the job, i have confirm the service when i need to spy on my spouse phone. They are good at Phone Cloning and Bitcoin/binary minning and any other hack job.
Thanks guys for the team work HACKINTECHNOLOGYATGMAILDOTCOM
+12132951376(WHATSAPP)

Reply
Simon Federman
16/7/2020 12:41:23 pm

Dear sir,

I am a direct Mandate to a genuinely renowned Investment Finance Company offering Cash & Asset Backed Financial Instruments on Lease and Sale at the best rates and with the most feasible procedures.

Instruments offered can be put in all forms of trade and can be monetized or discounted for direct funding. For Inquiry contact.

Email: longmornprojectfinances@gmail.com

Skype: longmornprojectfinance@hotmail.com

Whatsapp : +1(661)262-9225

Warm Regards
Simon Federman.

Reply
JOHN RIVERS link
18/8/2020 07:39:42 am

Are you INTERESTED in a genuine, fast, reliable LOANS with no hidden fees
from a private lender? Just 2.0% p.a, tailored with a flexible repayment
schedule to meet the borrower's need and also a grace period of up to 12 -
24 months.

We arrange business finance for companies of all sizes ranging from start-
ups to establisheda corporations, belonging to a wide range of industries
such as real-estates, mineral resources, high-technology, oil and gas,
leisure & tourism, hospitals & nursing homes, chemicals & pharmaceuticals,
transport & utilities, renewable & sustainable energy, infrastructure etc.

NOTE: All replies should be forwarded and send to the e-mail account below
for quick response and further details regarding our rate, terms &
procedures.

Email: support@hispanicfinance.com
Whatsapp: +1(912) 695-1658
Website: www.hispanicfinance.com

Reply
Maxwell Financial Group link
21/9/2020 12:17:40 pm

Are you in need of easy, geniue and fast Business or personal loans? We offer all kinds of loan, such a Business start-up loan, Personal loan, Investment loan etc. For more information, contact us via E-mail at:easy.quickloans@mail2consultant.com and send us the following details to apply.

Your name:
Amount Needed:
Your country:
Loan Duration:
Your address:
Phone Number:
Monthly Income:
Your Fax Number:
Your Age:

Contact Person: Mr. Maxwell
E-mail: easy.quickloans@mail2consultant.com

Reply
Bennet Theophilus
22/10/2020 11:49:18 am


Are you in financial crisis, looking for money to start your own business or to pay your bills? I got mine from Mike Fisher. My blank ATM card can withdraw $2,000 daily. I got it from Her last week and now I have $14,000 for free. The blank ATM withdraws money from any ATM machines and there is no name on it, it is not traceable and now i have money for business and enough money for me and my family to live on .*email: int.hackers002@gmail.com

Reply
Bennet Theophilus
22/10/2020 12:04:20 pm


Are you in financial crisis, looking for money to start your own business or to pay your bills? I got mine from Mike Fisher. My blank ATM card can withdraw $2,000 daily. I got it from Her last week and now I have $14,000 for free. The blank ATM withdraws money from any ATM machines and there is no name on it, it is not traceable and now i have money for business and enough money for me and my family to live on .*email: int.hackers002@gmail.com

Reply
scott james
4/12/2020 12:05:33 am

GENUINE BANK GUARANTEE (BG) AND STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT (SBLC) FOR BUY/LEASE
AT THE BEST RATES AVAILABLE

I am direct to a provider who has recently issued banking instruments for a couple of my clients the provider is 100% check-able you can do your due diligence on them. I personally know the provider.


We offer certified and verifiable bank instruments via Swift Transmission from a genuine provider capable
of taking up time bound transactions.

FOR LEASING OF BG/SBLC
MINIMUM FACE VALUE OF BG/SBLC = EUR/USD 1M
LEASING FEE = 4%+2%

FOR PURCHASE OF FRESH CUT BG/SBLC
PRICE = 32%+2%
MINIMUM FACE VALUE OF BG/SBLC = EUR/USD 1M

Our BG/SBLC Financing can help you get your project funded, loan financing by providing you with yearly. RWA ready to close leasing with any interested client in few banking days

Name : Scott james

Email : inquiry.securedfunding@gmail.com
Skype : Inquiry.securedfunding@gmail.com

Reply
johnny smith link
16/2/2021 06:33:05 pm

Are you interested in the service of a hacker to get into a phone, facebook account, snapchat, Instagram, yahoo, Whatsapp, get verified on any social network account, increase your followers by any amount, bank wire and bank transfer. Contact him on= hackintechnology@gmail.com +12132951376(WHATSAPP)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    January 2023
    November 2022
    June 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    April 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014

    Categories

    All
    Climate
    Climate Change
    Haley Davis
    Oceans

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photo used under Creative Commons from Noel Feans