Introduction
Unit 6 identifies ethical dimensions of climate change and its impacts, and provides knowledge and skills to help detect the impacts of climate change at local, regional, national, and transnational levels.
Outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- explore various ethical theories and frameworks relevant to climate change
- examine the ethical implications of climate change impacts on vulnerable communities
- identify the ethical dimensions of climate change
- assess ethical issues and challenges
Watch
Unit 6: https://youtu.be/TisH5dI4JhU
Terminology
Climate change impacts: Climate change impacts encompass the wide-ranging effects of changes in the Earth’s climate on both natural and human environments. Rising global temperatures lead to more frequent heatwaves, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels, causing coastal flooding and erosion. Altered precipitation patterns result in severe droughts and floods, disrupting water supplies and agriculture. Ecosystems suffer habitat loss and biodiversity declines, while human health risks increase with heat-related illnesses and disease spread. Economically, infrastructure damage and rising recovery costs threaten livelihoods, highlighting the urgent need for mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Ethical dimensions of climate change: Ethics constitute the substantial core of any commitment. As a mobilising force, ethics can steer action, facilitate arbitration, resolve conflicting interests, and establish priorities. Ethics have the capacity to connect theory with practice, general principles with political will, and global awareness with local actions.
