Broome recognizes that the decision of how to deal with climate change will be an ethical one. He points out that in order to avoid harming the people of the future, we must make sacrifices now. Broome explains a basic ethical principle, that most people will not willingly do something to further themselves at the cost of harming someone else; but if harm must be done, some type of compensation should be given. We know the climate is changing, and that it can potentially lead to millions of people being harmed. So we must make choices to alleviate them. Broome analyzes different ethical views, discussing whether or not benefits going to a less fortunate person are more important than those going to a wealthy person. He also questions if the people of the future, unable to influence or change the damage we do now, should be considered a less fortunate party.
It will cost money as well as lifestyle adjustments to implement the changes needed to begin repairing the environment. Most of these changes will need to be made by the wealthy industry owners. Should they help the people of the future and the less fortunate of today? In this situation, like other ethical dilemmas, we must look at the costs and benefits and see which one out ways the other. The only way people will make changes to their lives now is if the benefits in the future will far out way the losses now. But most people would rather have a content present than plan for the future, so the solution to the ethical dilemma is not easy to come by. Broome offers us food for thought and hopes that further climate change can be avoided.
No comments:
Post a Comment