Exam 2: Lecture 6

Question 1

As we’ve seen, sometimes taking action is___________ This may be the case in Our present situation, with regard to the issue of climate change. Thus, Gardiner introduces a new question:__________ __________

Answer 1

• rationally justified even despite the fact that the risé one faces is uncertain.
• If action is warranted, who should take it, and what should be done?
• How can we act in a way that is fair to all involved?

Question 2

1. The Polluter Pays Principle.

Answer 2

• Those who cause a problem have an obligation to rectify it,
• to assume additional liabilities,
• such as for Compensation.

Question 3

Objections to the PPP

Answer 3

• Past polluters were ignorant of the effects, and so not to blame.
• Do future individuals have an equal right to the benefits of the commons
• is it a first come first serve scenario
• Many of the past polluters are now dead.

Question 4

2. Equal Per Capita Entitlements.

Answer 4

• Other things being equal,
• permissible carbon emissions should be distributed equally across world population,
• no individual has a presumptive right to a larger share.

Question 5

EPC objections

Answer 5

• People in different parts of the world have different energy needs
• . This would have different implications for different nations (a 20% cut in global enissions would require US to cut by 80%, India could increase emissions by 28.5%).

Question 6

3. Protect the Rights of Poor Individuals

Answer 6

• Individuals have a right to the emissions necessary for some minimum quality of life.
• These should be protected against emissions associated with luxury goods.

Question 7

Objections to PRP

Answer 7

But what exactly counts as a “subsistence emission” as opposed to a “luxury emission?

Question 8

4. Percentage Reduction Targets

Answer 8

Paris climate agreement:

• Share the costs of mitigation fairly among nations by trying to equalize their marginal costs in reducing emissions.
• This involves percentage reduction targets for each country.

Question 9

PRT objections

Answer 9

Prisoners dillemma on the largest scale

Question 10

Describe the prisoner’s dillemma in the context of 1st world polluters

Answer 10

People who pollute aren’t the people who suffer the consequences of pollution

Question 11

Subsistence emissions

Answer 11

running a tractor to feed everyone

Question 12

Luxury emissions

Answer 12

warming up the car in the winter

Question 13

Free for all

Answer 13

No limits

Question 14

First come first served

Answer 14

Limited resource. People will miss out.