Global Warming Ethical Framework - PDF

Running head: POLITICAL SCIENCE
Political Science
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Question: What is the most appropriate ethical framework for responding to the distribution
of burdens arising from addressing Global Warming?
Answer:
In the contemporary world, global warming is one of the most significant threats that
has overshadowed all the development and wellbeing of the living creatures in the world. It is
the gradual rise in the temperature of the globe’s atmosphere credited to the greenhouse
impact that are the result of the increased level of CFCs, carbon dioxide and other pollutants.
It is the global climate crisis that defines the moral issues of the current century. The change
in the climate is expressed by the issues of global warming like rise in rate of average
temperature, long-term alteration on rain, levels of high tide, salinity and acidity of the ocean,
patterns of the wind, and extreme events of the weather that includes heat waves, heavy rains,
and intense tropical cyclones. In this paper, I will discuss the possible ethical framework
which is appropriate to address the burdens arising from the issues of global warming. The
paper has highlighted two of the most relevant theories for addressing the issues of global
warming, namely the green theory and the cosmopolitan theory, from which I will summarize
the effective one among the two in the context of development and wellbeing of living
creatures in the world.
According to the American Meteorological Society, there exists a probability of 90
percent increase in the global temperature in the coming years. These shifts in the
temperature tend to trigger major disasters that results in an increase in the level of the sea,
volatile and violent patterns of the weather, chances of famine, shortages of water and other
tertiary impacts like conflict (Feldman et al. 2014,pp. 602).

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The health and the environmental consequences related to the change in the climate
tend to affect the low-income nations and the poor people in the high-income nations
disproportionately. It furthermore affects the social justice and human rights by threatening
and challenging the political, civil as well as the social, economic and cultural rights of the
people of the globe. Some of these rights include right to live, safe water, and food, health,
shelter, security, and culture (Paterson 2016, pp. 181). Environmental impacts caused due to
global warming include an excessive rate of precipitation, weather events, and higher sea
levels that tend to adversely impact the agricultural production, productivity level of the
workers, access towards safe drinking and sanitation water sources and formation of various
environmental refugees (Page and Heyward 2017, pp. 364). Some of the adverse effects that
are caused by global warming and climate changes include allergic issues and disorder,
disorders related to heat, waterborne and food borne diseases, respiratory issues, mental
health issues and the problem of malnutrition among the people in the globe (Liu, Wu and
Huang 2017,pp. 157). People who are most vulnerable towards the consequences related to
health and the environment changes include minority group members, poor resident, an
individual with chronic disabilities and diseases (Huggel et al. 2016, pp. 901). The
consequences of global warming threaten the rights that are embodied in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights (Hansen et al. 2016, pp. 3790). These rights include right to
security, right to an adequate standard of living, and right to food, right to clothing, right to
medical care, housing and essential social services (Page 2016, pp.91). Thus it can be
concluded that addressing the issues related to human rights and facilities that are the result
of global warming are essential to promote an equal, rational and perfectly governed mankind
in the globe.
According to the global perspective, much inequality exists within the low-income
countries that produce least greenhouse gases and are more adversely affected by climate

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changes induced by global warming (Feldman et al. 2014, pp. 602). Thus, Global Warming is
an ethical issue which need to be address ethically to stop it progression in nature (Kolk
2016, pp. 29).Two of the most discussed ethical framework inmodern era is the green theory
and the cosmopolitan theory. These theories provide some better way of understanding this
phenomenon and how to approach or find solution.
The emergence of green theory is generally caused by the environmental degradation
by the complex activities of the human beings. The green theory emerged at 1980 as a result
of social movements related to environmental protection (Brambilla et al. 2018, pp. 211).
This theory deal with issues such as, social justice, grass-roots democracy and ecological
responsibility of the environment (Pascual et al. 2017, pp. 075001). The theory consist of
normative branch that questions the rights, democracy, environment and justice and the
political economy branch that deals with the relation among economy, state and the
environment. In the context of the above question, green theory rejects the idea that human
beings are the centre of value and evaluation and have criticized humanity for the burden
arising from their actions that result in global warming (Liu, Wu and Huang 2017,pp. 157).
On the other hand, the theory of cosmopolitanism explains the principle of global
distributive justice and which deliver a critique of the current global system and the one-sided
position of human in dealing with the climate change (Paterson 2016, pp. 181). Political
cosmopolitanism suggests the formation of democratic governance in the global levels as the
necessity to address the issues raised due to global warming. In this theory three main
objection are addressed for mitigating the threat of the global warming. These are (i) impact
of use of emission allowance marketplace of the values of the environment, (ii) The injustice
by the policy instruments that commodify atmosphere and (iii) the relation among the
emission market and the norms of procedural justice (Lewandowsky, Risbey and Oreskes
2015, pp. 16784).

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Global warming is the perfect moral storm since it brings some of the major
challenges to the ethical actions for the development and the wellbeing of the living mankind.
The climate changes that are the main results of the global warming are a truly global
phenomenon. The greenhouse gas emissions have climate effects on the planet and are often
said to result in the tragedy of commons or prisoners dilemma (Bernstein 2015, pp. 130).
It is important to address the changes in the environment caused by the global
warming in an ethical manner. Some of the key factors or reasons regarding why it is
essential to address the changes ethically include some of the following reasons like fairness
and costs regarding the emission of green house gas and pricing of carbon tax. Furthermore,
inequalities of power and wealth and lack of preservation of human rights and rights of
existence among other living species are some of the reasons.
Ethical arguments merit a place in the table among the political, economic,
environmental and social factors. The ethical understanding of the problems raised due to
global warming targets the main or the heart of the problem. By appropriate discussions, it
can be identified what problems can be avoided or resolved (Pascual et al. 2017, pp. 075001).
The perspectives related to ethics can transcend the competition among different factors that
enable to pull out the key issues which need utmost importance. Some of the key factors
include adverse potential impacts on the health of human, disproportionate effects on the
poorest people in the world, damage for human activities, harsh climate surprises for the
homeless and the wild lives (Brambilla et al. 2018, pp. 211).
The ethical frameworks of the theories as discussed above, the green theory and the
cosmopolitan theory for responding to the distribution of burdens arising from addressing
Global Warming are as follows:

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Some of the strengths of the green theory include the following. The theory contributes
largely to the political thinking of nations of the globe. It furthermore focuses on problems
like the relationship among human and non human world. One of the major strengths of the
green theory is that it considers the moral status of wild lives and animals besides the human
beings. The theory focuses on the ethical and political regulations of the innovation of
technology (Méjean, Lecocq and Mulugetta 2015, pp. 394) and characterizes on dealing with
contemporary issues like resource competition, rising inequalities, climate change and more.
Some of the weaknesses of the green theory include the following. There is no global
definition of the theory despite of the statement by UNEP that states that the theory helps in
initiating improved wellbeing of humans and social equity and reduces the environmental
risks (Caney 2016, pp. 21).Furthermore, the situational concept and the characteristics of the
green theory vary according to the considered area. The green theory cannot be implemented
fully due to individual’s private interest and the contradicting ideas of the leaders of the
nation.
The strengths of the cosmopolitanism theory include the following. The theory draws
attention on stoic tradition implying the positive moral ideal of the universal human
community. It furthermore explains the principle of global distributive justice and addresses
issues of state citizenship.
The weaknesses of the cosmopolitanism theory are that it lacks proper address towards the
animal and the greens of the world. Furthermore, the theory is too much constructive and
dependent on political regimes (Watts et al. 2015, pp.1899). Furthermore, the theory lacks
proper address towards the needs of human beings as the citizens of the world. The
cosmopolitanism theory is more applicable on state instead of international platform and
hence it lacks the world wide view.

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Step 1: The general principles, the aim, and scope.
The declaration proclaiming ethical principles of policy formulations and other related
actions relates to the global warming and the climate changes. Hence, the declaration and the
framework recommend for the consideration of the ethical principles regarding all the
decisions and actions that are related to climate changes on the international, national and
local basis.
Step 2: The prevention of the possible harm
Consideration of the erosion of the climate change towards the erosion of the sustainability of
the ecosystem of the globe and the threat to the future wellbeing of the livelihoods of the
people should be taken into consideration for the implementation of possible measures
(Brambilla et al. 2018, pp. 211). Hence, formulation and implementation of policies and
actions for mitigating and adapting to the climate changes is required that includes climate
resilience and emission of low greenhouse gas development in such a method that it does not
affect or threatens the production of food.
Step 3: Justice and Equity
In the context of global warming, justice needs fair and meaningful treatments for the
effective involvement of the entire individual. Furthermore, global engagements that tend to
mobilize the international organizations, governments and civil society may turn to be
beneficial. Furthermore it has been found that women are disproportionately being affected
by the global warming and the change in the climatic condition and tend to have considerably
less and negligible access to the global resources. Furthermore, the state should enable
facilitation and encouragement towards the public awareness and participation in the decision
making by facilitating access to knowledge and information regarding the change in the

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climate (Caney 2014, pp. 131). The state should also develop means to implement adaptation
and mitigation actions while taking into consideration the differentiated needs and access
towards the resources of the most vulnerable group. Hence, effective access to the
administrative and judicial proceedings that include remedy in response to the adverse impact
of the climate changes should be provided as stated in the national laws (Paterson 2016, pp.
181).
Step 4: The Sustainable Development
According to this ethical framework, for ensuring and enabling that the current and the
upcoming generation are able to meet their requirements, it is thus urgent that all the states
promote the implementation of the agendas for the successful sustainable development by the
adoption of sustainable patterns of production, consumption and waste management
processes (Caney 2016, pp. 21). Hence, all the states of the nation should also work for
ensuring that each and every individual gets benefited from the developmental opportunities,
especially the targeted ones, namely the vulnerable group of people.
Step 5: The Solidarity
The concept of solidarity states that each and every human being should collectively and
individually assist groups or people who are among the most vulnerable towards the change
in climate and natural disasters (Gardiner and Weisbach 2016). The states and others who
hold the capacity to address the changes in the climate should co-operate by giving utmost
importance towards protecting and enhancing the entire globe in such a way that it portrays
the interdependence and the solidarity among the people belonging from various backgrounds
and the connection of the humankind with other ecosystems, organisms, and environment (Fu
et al. 2015, pp. 106). Hence, the relevant understanding of the knowledge related to the
impacts of the global warming should be initiated and shared equitably for increasing the

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mitigating and adopting capacities for the increase in the ecosystem and resilience of the
people.
Step 6: The integrity and relevant scientific pieces of knowledge in decision making
procedure
The integrity and relevant scientific pieces of knowledge is essential in decision making
procedure. Decisions should be dependable on best available knowledge from the context of
social and natural science that includes transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary sciences
(Vuille et al. 2015, pp.3749). The scientific cooperation should furthermore be strengthened
for the development of a comprehensive understanding of the changes in the climate as well
as possible actions related to mitigation and adaptation. According to the ethical framework it
is important for the state to take measures for the protection and maintenance of the integrity
of the scientific procedure and the independence of the knowledge related to science. The
possible measures include assistance for maintaining valid scientific standards and the
transparency at all the levels in the context of findings, methodologies and scientific research
conditions.
Thus it important for the state to raise awareness and propagate knowledge and literacy
among the population. Promotion of accurate communication regarding changes in the
climate and building effective mechanism for strengthening the interface between the science
and the policy is also essential for ensuring a sound knowledge base in the decision making.
Step 7: Technology, Science, and Innovations
Science, technology and innovation are the important factors to promote the application of
the ethical principles. The state must develop strategies for upholding the integrity of
scientific research while addressing the issues of global warming and climate changes. The

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state must also use the best knowledge of science that is available in decision making for the
issues related to global warming (Lewandowsky, Risbey and Oreskes 2015, pp. 16784).
Development and scaling up of assessed technologies, actions and infrastructures for the
reduction of the global warming are essential. It can thus be concluded that the state must
promote access to training opportunities and information that are relevant to the solutions and
challenges associated with the global warming and must encourage the development of the
knowledge related to science for the initiated transformation of production patterns,
consumption, and management for making it more compatible and sustainable with the
environment.
Step 8: Risk assessment and management
Promotion of the development of the risk maps, assessments related to science-based
technology and environment and the appropriate management of the risk connected to the
global warming and disasters that are natural are essential for implementation.
Step 9: Vulnerable groups
It is important to give utmost priority in the response of the global warming to the
requirements of the vulnerable group of people which mostly includes to migrants,
indigenous people, local community people, disabled persons, the notion of gender equality,
women empowerment and the international equity (Méjean, Lecocq and Mulugetta 2015, pp.
394).
Step 10: Education
Education is one of the most important factors in the context of development. Advanced
curriculum and awareness towards the knowledge about the relation of the human being with
the climate and the global warming issues of the world as well as the ecosystems,

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responsibilities of the current generation towards the upcoming future generation should be
taken into consideration. Furthermore it should also be ensured that in accordance with the
laws of the nation, each and every individual irrespective of any discrimination have access
to the opportunities to gain knowledges and learning that will ultimately help them to acquire
and update the skills, knowledge, values and the nature that is required for responding to the
burden caused due to global warming and contribute for sustainable development (Grasso and
Markowitz 2015, pp. 331). It is thus important for the state to initiate support to the
developing countries by scientific and educational capacities and also by financial means.
Step 11: Public Awareness
Promotion of awareness regarding the possible burdens and issues that can happen from the
global warming should be done by strengthening social dialogue, media communication, civil
society organization and cultural-religious communities (Page 2016, pp.91).
Step 12: Responsibility
Ensuring effective policies related to the climate and the best practices for the promotion of
appropriate governance measures, transparency, corruption prevention and assessment of the
mechanism is essential for underpinning the environmental, social and societal
responsibilities of all the pertinent actors of the society.
Step 13: International Cooperation
Facilitation, support, and engagement in the international procedure for initiating effective
communication for the promotion of multidisciplinary, intercultural and pluralistic dialogue
are necessary (Page and Heyward 2017, pp. 364). It is also important to engage in support in
the research collaboration in the international basis which is related to global warming issues.

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The state should furthermore promote the sharing of the results gained from the technological
and scientific innovations in a timely and equitable manner.
The field of global warming ethics has evolved rapidly over the past few decades for
the benefit of the negotiations related to the climate changes and actions at all levels (Watts et
al. 2015, pp.1899). The ethical dimension of the global warming and climate change depicts a
critical issue and is the key towards the continued progress on adapting and mitigating the
issues caused due to global warming. The green theory is more appropriate and should thus
be adopted by the international body. This is because the approach of the theory consists of a
holistic approach that includes the concern towards the human, the animals and the green
livings in the globe that are adversely affected and are on the verge of extinction due to the
burden caused by global warming. Unlike the cosmopolitanism theory, the green theory
includes an international approach addressing each and every living creatures and not only
the human residing in the globe.
Conclusion
The crisis of the global warming is a moral and ethical issue that threatens the
majority of the people of the world and their basic human rights. In other words, the adverse
consequences of the global warming tend to worsen day by day. The address of the burdens
caused due to the global warming is a health and priority regarding the rights of the human
and actions related to the implementation the measures play a key role in the development
process. The green theory and the cosmopolitan theory are the two major theories that have
been discussed above for the proper analysis of the ethical framework required to address the
targeted issues like violation of rights of the human, threats towards the animals and the wild
lives and the greenery. The mitigation and the adaptation measures should be equitable in
protecting and promoting the basic human rights among all the human beings of the globe. It

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is further to be noted that the formulation of the ethics in response to the global warming has
profound implications for the current and the future wellness of a huge number of people who
are the current victims of the global warming. Effective use of the frameworks by the
international body with proper planning and discussion among the nations of the world
should be initiated for the successful propagation of the measures to address the issues or
burden arising from the global warming.

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