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Wrongful Harm to Future Generations: The Case of Climate Change

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Author Info
Marc D. Davidson
Abstract

In this article I argue that governments are justified in addressing the potential for human induced climate damages on the basis of future generations' rights to bodily integrity and personal property. First, although future generations' entitlements to property originate in our present entitlements, the principle of self-ownership requires us to take 'reasonable care' of the products of future labour. Second, while Parfit's non-identity problem has as yet no satisfactory solution, the present absence of an equilibrium between theory and intuitions justifies a precautionary approach, i.e. treating climate damage as a wrongful harm. In addition, a supplementary consideration is described as arising from transcendental needs.

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Publisher Info
Article provided by White Horse Press in its journal Environmental Values.

Volume (Year): 17 (2008)
Issue (Month): 4 (November)
Pages: 471-488
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Handle: RePEc:env:journl:ev17:ev1725

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Web page: http://www.erica.demon.co.uk

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Related research
Keywords: Climate change; future generations; wrongful harm; non-identity problem;

Find related papers by JEL classification:
D9 - Microeconomics - - Intertemporal Choice and Growth
D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
Q25 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Water

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This page was last updated on 2009-12-2.

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