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Intergenerational Justice Theory

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Introduction Climate change has been a controversial topic related to the intergenerational justice and ethics as it is said that we are consuming too much at the expense of the future generations. The greenhouse gases are the result of the usage of the non-renewable energy sources. In such, there are several scholars pointed out the morality under the intergenerational justice theory, saying that the use of the non-renewable resources should be abolished. This essay attempts to investigate how much we should do for our next generations. It will firstly define the key term of intergenerational justice, then move on to a summary of two important readings of the issue. However, it is believed that the Page (1999) idea of “compensation” …show more content…

The essay supports the “compensation” role of the current people under the economics discounting principles. Defining the key term – the intergenerational justice Intergenerational justice (intergenerational equity) is an important feature of harmonious society and the basic humanity value. With the modern problems such as limited natural resources, environment and ecology become more and more prominent, the intergenerational injustice has become the focus of the scholars, and the realization of intergenerational equity has become a strong social appeal. The notion of intergenerational justice involves the fairness in social intergenerational relations and it is an important symbol of harmonious coexistence between man and nature. The most striking features of the Intergenerational equity are …show more content…

This results in serious intergenerational injustice. One of the major responsibilities of contemporary people is to break away from this generation of egoism, establish intergenerational caring values and consumption, and promote the realization of intergenerational equity. First reading: “Intergenerational Justice and Climate Change” by Edward A. Page The writer stated that there is intergenerational justice issue in the climate change. Page pointed out the resourcist view of the Intergenerational Justice in the Climate Change. The climate system should be considered as an “open access resource system”. (Page, 1999) Under the social efficiency considerations, the existing generations should not (1) damage the climate system; (2) not to deplete the non-renewable resources that would worsen the climate system; (3) not to damage the natural resources. He suggested that the consumption of nonrenewable resources should be “compensated”. The later generations should be left no worse off. The writer suggested that it is of course unfair for the existing generations for not to develop any nonrenewable sources. Hence, there must be compensation. Regarding the identity issue, Page suggested the extended non-identity problem. He

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