CLIMATE JUSTICE: CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN RIGHTS (original) (raw)

2019, Denialism and Human Rights

Book chapter: Author of Chapter: ‘Climate Justice: Climate Change and Human Rights, in book: “Denialism and Human Rights”, by Roland Moerland, Hans Nelen (Eds), Cambridge University Press, 2017. ABSTRACT: The inadequate commitment of academia to Climate Change research, and the neglected, under-developed state of Climate Justice, must be addressed and counter-acted. The following paper aspires to pay a small contribution to that specific cause. This essay is based on the fact that Climate Change is undermining the fulfillment of internationally protected Human Rights, like the rights to health and life; the right to food, water, shelter, property; rights associated with livelihood and culture; with migration and resettlement; and with personal security in the event of conflict. The worst effects of Climate Change are principally felt by those whose rights protections are already insufficient. In this essay, I highlight these risks and advocate their consideration. Additionally I ask questions such as: What are the Human Rights repercussions of Climate Change, and how does the extensive organisation of international Human Rights law and knowledge, convey that phenomenon? Where does international Human Rights law overlap with or provoke duties under the embryonic Climate Justice regime? Where should Climate Change strategies challenge Human Rights essentials? My ambition is to clarify the confusion covering this area of study, and by examining the relationship between Climate Change and Human Rights, an attempt is made to discover, examine, and analyse their most essential links.