Saving the Blue Planet. Climate Justice: Rights & Responsibilities

Abstract

This interdisciplinary human rights research investigates how human activities for power genera-tion, leading to carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, have adversely affected human rights. These impacts, referred to as anthropogenic harms, encompass environmental damage caused by human activities, including pollution, deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, ul-timately contributing to elevated temperatures and climate change. Climate justice involves rec-ognising human rights and responsibilities in addressing climate change, particularly the unequal impact on marginalised communities. It calls for equitable resource distribution, protection of vulnerable groups and accountability for historical and current climate contributions. Climate jus-tice encompasses a range of concerns, such as displacement due to rising sea levels, dispropor-tionate impact on vulnerable communities, unequal resource access and loss of biodiversity. It has evolved from environmental activism to a broader focus on social equity and human rights in the context of climate change. This includes addressing the disproportionate impact on marginalised communities, advocating for equitable resource distribution and holding individuals, govern-ments and corporations accountable for their actions and policies. This thesis emphasises the pressing need for ‘climate action’, which includes individual, collective and governmental efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This aligns with the United Na-tions' Sustainable Development Goal 13, focused on addressing global temperature rise and its impacts. Such action is crucial for limiting global warming and protecting the planet for future generations. Climate justice urges climate action to address environmental issues stemming from global temperature rise and climate change, particularly impacting vulnerable communities. Rec-ognising the vulnerability principle allows for targeted climate policies, fostering resilience and safeguarding the planet and ecosystems from further degradation. This research used qualitative methods to study the reasons behind rising global temperatures, leading to climate change. Cli-mate change comes with ecological, societal and economic consequences. The study highlights ongoing inequality due to several human factors which violate human rights.