What Climate Justice Means And Why We Should Care

Reviews

Insightful and timely…'climate justice' is essential if we are to deal with climate change. Compelling. There are complex moral quandaries in What Climate Justice Means, but it’s written for everybody. And this is not philosophy as some kind of intellectual luxury. It’s a matter of life and death, of how we live with integrity in the face of a global catastrophe which we did not create, but in which we are complicit. [Cripps] makes you care about climate change’s most vulnerable victims and in the process offers advice on how we all can help … Cripps argues powerfully that climate justice goes beyond political polarization. Climate activism is a moral duty, not a political choice. The iron law of global warming is: the less you did to cause it, the sooner and harder you suffer its effects. As this book makes clear, that raises very deep questions about justice, which we will be grappling with for the forseeable future. If you read this, you'll have a good headstart on a crucial debate. An essential primer. Elizabeth Cripps deftly explains the complexity of wicked problems without ever losing sight of the fundamental truth that, before it is a technical or political issue, climate injustice is a moral one. This book is a short and direct conversation with a philosopher carefully thinking through our duties now toward other people given the scary changes we all may face. While it may be painful reading at times, you will gain insights not available in any other book about climate change. The subtle analysis does not stifle the passion, and the deep feeling does not cloud the arguments. A moving philosophical plea for immediate radical action with the reasons distilled to their essence. If you wonder where to begin to tackle the worsening climate, start here. We live in a world increasingly impacted not only by climate change, but also its unjust impacts on both human and nonhuman communities. Elizabeth Cripps offers a lucid, comprehensive, and pertinent overview of a range of ideas and realities of climate justice in all its complexity. She offers the crucial argument that, in everyday political and personal practice, climate change is a choice to violate the rights of the most vulnerable. As inequitable as climate change can be, Cripps insists that it is possible, and straightforward, to choose climate justice instead. The concept of climate justice is increasingly being invoked. But what is climate justice? In her brilliant book, Elizabeth Cripps gives us a definitive answer. What Climate Justice Means shows why climate change is a matter of justice, who bears responsibility for this and what citizens and governments ought to do. It vividly conveys the realities of climate injustices and makes a compelling moral case for action. … impassioned treatise from philosopher Cripps … Sincere and substantial, this offers bountiful insight into the movement for climate justice. ... serves to stiffen the moral sinew. [Cripps] presents clear and compelling evidence of the burden borne by disadvantaged populations, maintaining that climate change is, above all, “about privilege.” Cripps successfully argues her central point: Climate policies won't succeed if climate justice isn't at their forefront … Cripps' argument, a timely update to former President of Ireland Mary Robinson's earlier linking together of climate justice and human rights … makes fine, inspirational reading. In this short, accessible book, Elizabeth Cripps makes the moral case for action on climate change …Cripps demonstrates that climate justice goes beyond politics—climate change is a moral duty, not a political choice. Cripps seemingly endeavors to compose a compelling moral philosophy, examining core issues concerning climate change. Her effort...yields engaging contemplation of the topic. Cripps is pragmatic enough to recognize this will probably not happen until “inclusive activism” puts pressure on the system. The book is an interesting read in that it looks at climate change and responses to it from a philosophical and moral approach backed up with concrete examples from a global viewpoint. Expand reviews