Anthropocene Epoch and Climate Change
The world is facing an Anthropocene epoch, an informal interval of geological time, signifying the disastrous impact of anthropogenic activities on earth’s ecosystem. The term Anthropocene is an amalgamation of two words ‘Anthro’- Nan and ‘Cene’- new, conceived by chemist Paul Crutzen and biologist Eugene Stormer in 2000. According to some scholars, Anthropocene commenced at inception of 1800s’s Industrial Revolution, when anthropogenic/human activity led to colossal concentration of methane and carbon in atmosphere of earth. On the contrary, the Anthropocene Working Group in 2016 stated that Anthropocene kicked off in 1950 when phenomenal surge in human social-cum-economic activity implicating earth–‒Great Acceleration–‒took off. The Anthropocene epoch is characterized by the worst legacy of past generations –‒ Climate Change–‒ long lasting shifts in weather and temperature patterns, primarily induced by human activities such as burning fossil fuels releasing GHGs (Greenhouse gases) that trap the heat of sun inside the planet earth and consequently raise the earth’s temperature. Climate change effects all generations; however, youth remains the primary victims as they have inherited this existential threat from the consumption obsessed previous generations.
Ever-enhancing Carbon Footprint & Lethal legacy of Past Generations
23rd June, 1998 is one of the most crucial day in the history of climate change hearing when James Hansen, former director of Institute of Space Studies at NASA, testified to US Congress affirming the detection of greenhouse effect, suggesting the tangible change in climate. Hansen delineated greenhouse effect as the pervasive combustion of non-renewable energy resources (fossil fuels) that brings about heat-trapping buildup of greenhouse gases like Carbon dioxide in atmosphere of Earth. Since then, greenhouse effect has become key aspect of common knowledge. In past 800,000 years, the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases has reached an unprecedented level. Atmospheric concentration of Methane (CH4), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), and Nitrogen Dioxide (N2O) has surged by 262%, 149%, and 123% since 1750. Additionally, the concentration of Carbon Dioxide was almost 280 ppm (parts per million) prior to Industrial Revolution; however the monthly average concentration raised to nearly 418.28 ppm in march 2022, which is approximately 2.8 ppm greater than concentration in 2021. Since 1980, the temperature of Earth has hiked by an average of 0.08° Celsius, which is nearly 2° F in total. Additionally, since 1981, the warming rate observed is greater than twice as fast per decade: 0.18° C.
Intergenerational Justice-Climate Change Nexus
The idea of intergenerational justice underlies the duties of present generations towards the future generations. It raises pertinent issues such as how natural resources at one’s disposal can be harnessed without undermining sustainable working of ecosystem of planet. Furthermore, it also raises the issue of maintaining an equilibrium between claims of rights of present and future generations. Legal scruples of intergenerational justice takes into consideration the justice between generations. It seeks to address intergenerational conflict of interests, attempts to unravel inter-temporal distributive problems, and solicits temporal solidarity across different generations.
As far as environmental politics is concerned, it calls for intergenerational distributive justice at global level by highlighting the key assumption that rise in earth temperature will inflict mammoth harm causing infringement of basic human rights of future generations thereby requiring present generations to cap emissions in order to discharge duties of justice apropos future generations. This intergenerational perspective has also been highlighted in climate politics as well as policy making in second half of 20th century. For example, the final declaration of 1972 UN Conference on Environment, based in Stockholm, entailed intergenerational approach: key goal for mankind is to guard and ameliorate human environment for both present as well as future generations. 1987 United Nations Brundtland Report also expounded the link between climate politics and intergenerationality, which is deeply rooted in sustainable development –‒ to carry out development in sustainable manner to meet the requirements of present generation without jeopardizing the potential of future generations to fulfill their needs.
Consumption-obsessed ‘Okay Boomers’
Concerning climate change, there is an explicit generational friction. Catchphrase ‘Okay Boomers’ came to limelight when New Zealand Parliament’s young member named Chloe Swarbrick used it against a heckler. Chloe highlighted the reasons behind expeditiousness of her generation to address climate change. She pointed out that her generation (Millennials) coupled with the ones to follow will experience the cascading implications of climate change by 2050 which the Baby boomers will not. ‘OK Boomer’ term is a corollary of limitless series of debates about ‘issues facing the youth’ and ‘older generations who have destroyed everything’. Contrasting perspectives in intergenerational relationships are considered normal, however, in the case of climate change, the older generations, particularly the baby boomers are leaving behind the disastrous-cum-incurable problem for the next generations- Millennials and generation Z. In his book ‘A generation of Sociopaths: How Baby Boomers Betrayed America’, Bruce Gibey has also regarded the baby boomers ‘consumption-crazed’ who are leaving behind a destabilized climate and mountain of debt for millennials and other generations as well.
Unfairness to future generations Vs Intergenerational equity?
In 1989, E.B. Weiss wrote a book ‘Fairness to Future Generations’ entailing ‘theory of intergenerational equity’ which defines three assumptions: 1) options; 2) quality; 3)access. First principle underlies conserving natural resources’ diversity for future generations while the second one aims to balance the quality of environment between generations. Third principle implies fair access to earth as well as its resources among all generations. The aforementioned principles emphasizes the balance between the needs and present and future generations. Despite the scientific, academic, and legal developments related to climate change and intergenerational justice and equity, the intergenerational issues remain persistent nay adopted worse form.
Although a number of agreements on climate change were concluded, they remained ineffective in curbing the emissions causing the climate change. Beginning from the 1979 first World Climate Conference culminating into 1985 Villach Conference which highlighted the role of GHGs in climate variations. Resultantly, IPCC- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change formed in 1988 enshrined authoritative scientific assessments and effects of climate change in its First Assessment Report. Currently, the IPCC is in in 6th assessment cycle in which various Working Groups are analyzing the basis, impacts, vulnerabilities, adaptation, and mitigation strategies.
In 1992, UNFCC-United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was concluded and opened for signatures at the very famous 1992 Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro. UNFCC developed a mechanism for states to produce and share data regarding their respective GHG emissions and obligated states to provide national GHG inventories coupled with provision of national reports on policy making and coping mechanism for climate change. However, explicit timetables and targets for reducing GHG concentration in atmosphere remained absent. States tried to extend the 1992 UNFCC and address the aforementioned policy lacuna in the form of 1997 Kyoto Protocol but its fragility and limited effects can be determined from the absence of the United States from it. One of the most recent binding agreements on climate change- 2015 Paris Agreement– aims to reduce global warming below 2 ° C as compared to pre-industrial levels. This agreement futility is evident from the states failing to fulfill their commitments and lack of enforcement, accountability, incentivizing mechanism.
Climate Change through a security lens
Climate change is exacerbating the environmental, social, and economic challenges that in turn aggravates insecurity at national as well as international level. Climate change is intrinsically linked to security concerns such as loss of livelihood, shrinking energy and water supplies, food insecurity, climate induced disasters, scramble over scarce resources, and forced migration. Being a threat multiplier, climate change provides pathways to violent conflict in three way: a) it corrodes livelihood and incite people towards violent conflict in countries facing armed conflict; b) alternations in climate patterns transform latent conflicts into deadly conflict; and c) climate changed leads to forced migration and displacement causing tensions among indigenous people and migrants. From endless droughts in Horn of Africa, Madagascar, and Afghanistan to cataclysmic flooding in Congo and Pakistan, climate change has displaced millions of people in regions vulnerable to its effects. The most notable example remains of South Asia, where climate change has intensified the hydro-politics between India and Pakistan on Indus basin that could spark ‘water war’ between them. The security repercussions of climate change are not limited to these regions, nay its detrimental impacts are observable in all regions. For instance, climate change has beget the ‘Arctic Opening’ and increased Arctic’s strategic potential, thereby acting as a catalyst to cause geo-political turbulence in region.
Way-Forward
Immediate, holistic, and expeditious climate action is required to curb the issue of climate change in order to provide a resilient future for young generation. It requires active participating in climate change activism, notably the Baby Boomers (who dominate the political offices); enhancing political inclusion of youth in climate policy making, implementing mitigation and adaptation measures, furthering youth-led startups related to climate change, investing in green infrastructure, and materializing climate-smart development.
