A Perfect Moral Storm: The Ethical Tragedy of Climate ChangeClimate change is arguably the great problem confronting humanity, but we have done little to head off this looming catastrophe. In The Perfect Moral Storm, philosopher Stephen Gardiner illuminates our dangerous inaction by placing the environmental crisis in an entirely new light, considering it as an ethical failure. Gardiner clarifies the moral situation, identifying the temptations (or "storms") that make us vulnerable to a certain kind of corruption. First, the world's most affluent nations are tempted to pass on the cost of climate change to the poorer and weaker citizens of the world. Second, the present generation is tempted to pass the problem on to future generations. Third, our poor grasp of science, international justice, and the human relationship to nature helps to facilitate inaction. As a result, we are engaging in willful self-deception when the lives of future generations, the world's poor, and even the basic fabric of life on the planet is at stake. We should wake up to this profound ethical failure, Gardiner concludes, and demand more of our institutions, our leaders and ourselves. |
Other editions - View all
A Perfect Moral Storm: The Ethical Tragedy of Climate Change Stephen M. Gardiner Limited preview - 2011 |
A Perfect Moral Storm: The Ethical Tragedy of Climate Change Stephen M. Gardiner Limited preview - 2011 |
A Perfect Moral Storm: The Ethical Tragedy of Climate Change Stephen M. Gardiner Limited preview - 2013 |
Common terms and phrases
abrupt action already analysis appears approach argue argument assume assumptions basic become benefits better Call catastrophic cause central challenge chapter claim clear climate change commons concerns consider cooperation corruption costs countries course decision developed discount discussion economic effects emissions environmental especially ethical evil example existing face fact future geoengineering given global hand Hence human idea impacts important increase individual initial institutions interests intergenerational involve issue justify kind least less limited live matters moral Moreover motivation nature objection particular perfect moral storm perhaps Period political position possible practice prefer present problem question reason relevant requires response result scenario seems sense serious simply situation social solutions specific storm strong substantial suggests Suppose theoretical theory thing third tion tragedy turn values worry