Meeting the targets or re-imagining society? An empirical study into the ethical landscape of carbon dioxide capture and storage in Scotland.

Mabon, Leslie; Shackley, Simon

Abstract

Preston's (2011) challenge to the moral presumption against geoengineering is applied to carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) in Scotland, United Kingdom. Qualitative data is analysed to assess if and how Preston's arguments play out in practice. We argue that the concepts of 'lesser evil' and prioritising human well-being over non-interference in natural processes do bring different value positions together in support of CCS, but that not all people see short-term carbon abatement as the 'least worst' option or a suitable way to prioritise human well-being.

Citation

MABON, L. and SHACKLEY, S. 2015. Meeting the targets or re-imagining society? An empirical study into the ethical landscape of carbon dioxide capture and storage in Scotland. Environmental values [online], 24(4), pages 465-482. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3197/096327115X14345368709907

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 1, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Aug 1, 2015
• Publication Date: Aug 31, 2015
• Deposit Date: Sep 29, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 29, 2017
• Journal: Environmental values
• Print ISSN: 0963-2719
• Electronic ISSN: 1752-7015
• Publisher: White Horse Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 465-482
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3197/096327115X14345368709907
• Keywords: Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS); Climate change; Environmental ethics; Epistemic justice; Ethics of science and technology
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/2519