The Ethics of Climate Change: Conception about the Good Life - Essay Example

For the environment to remain sustainable, the states and companies that take part in industrialization and manufacturing should take responsibility for controlling the effects of climate change by bearing the negative external costs associated with climate change.1 The richer nations and large manufacturing industries get involved in massive industrial manufacturing, hence leading to massive emissions and pollution that are responsible for the ever-increasing amount of greenhouse gases.

To maintain normalcy and good life, the discounting rate concept must be proportionately applied. The rich countries that account for the larger share of global emissions must bear the greatest costs associated with environmental degradation. In order to save future generations from suffering the harmful effects of the present global climatic change, they must learn to reduce such risks by avoiding activities that negatively affect the environment.2 This can only be achieved by seeking expert advice from economists who would advise them on the cost-benefits analysis of their industrial and manufacturing activities.

From an ethical point of view, economists must take into account the discounting rates that are payable by environmental polluters. Economists will, therefore, always advise on the importance of reducing the possibility of adverse effects such as environmental pollution from spreading into the future. This implies that the present generation must sacrifice part of its consumption in order to mitigate the impacts of climatic change.