Human rights in times of climate change
Climate change is a hot topic. We are being encouraged to measure our ecological footprint in CO2-units and to reflect on the consequences of long-distance and cheap flights.
Climate change is threatening nature, as well as our luxurious way of living. Still, the consequences of a changing climate will be recognizable in the poorest countries first. Farmers will lose their farmland and their access to water. The demand for biofuels as a replacement for oil and gas will lead to a worldwide buy up of forest, on which many people rely to make a living. This will cause migration and will increase the pressure on urban areas. Human rights, like the right for food, drinking water and shelter will thus be compromised. That is a double injustice, for the ones who contributed least to the pollution and waste will be struck first.
In this lecture series renowned scientists and international speakers will talk about climate change and the philosophy of global justice. Can human rights, as recorded in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, protect us against the effects of climate change? Do they still apply to present and future generations? Or does the 21st century ask for new international and local institutions? We need a new way of thinking about justice and responsibility, by which we can counter the scarcity of resources and the division of wealth. Maybe the urgency of climate change can be the lever that is needed to reach worldwide agreement.
Schedule
Monday November 14
Introduction
Prof. dr. Marcus Düwell (Wijsgerige ethiek, UU), dr. Anja Mihr (SIM, UU) en prof. dr. Herman Wijffels (USI, UU)
Monday November 21
The climate change and human rights agenda
Drs. Teresa Fogelberg (deputy chief executive Global Reporting Initiative, VN)
Monday November 28
Climate change in international law
Mr. Harm Dotinga (Internationaal publiekrecht en NILOS, UU)
MondayDecember 5
Climate change victims and justice
Dr. James Garvey (Royal Institute of Philosophy, London)
Monday December 12
Climate change victims and accountability perspectives
Dr. Stephen Humphreys (London School of Economics)
Monday December 19
Responsibilities
Prof. dr. Luc Bovens (London School of Economics)
Monday January 9
Human rights philosophy and juridical aspects
Prof. dr. Simon Caney (Political theory, Magdalen College Oxford)
Monday January 16
Impacts of climate change
Prof. dr. Lennart Olsson (Physical geography, Lund University Sweden)
Monday January 23
Collective action and the way ahead
Prof. dr. Rosemary Rayfuse (International law, University of New South Wales)
Monday January 30
Enforcement and global justice institutions
Prof. dr. Frank Biermann (Political and environmental policy science, VU)