Who is the victim? Since the victim cannot be identified, the damage cannot be calculated, and the responsible entity cannot be found, it seems irrealistic. CO2 emitted for centuries by millions. Even you identify the victims how could you blame somebody is responsible for 0.00000000000000000001% for an incalculable damage? CO2 emission does not cause any local problem.
A local pollution is another question.
From a legal perspective, as Dr. Radics suggests, the issue is one related ti liability and/or responsibility. AS his response also indicates, you first have to deal with the question of the victim. So, first, victims....
It is entirely possible that the victim is not a single person, but might be a group of people, or an entire nation (as in Islands that have become flooded from rising sea levels associated with climate change). But, it may also be that the victims are non-human -- they could be. for example, an ecosystem (e.g., a coastal ecosystem that has been submerged by rising sea level); as well as nonhuman species living in affected ecosystems.
Once there victims are identified, the next problem is determining the value of the harm committed. To illustrate this point, i will need to create a hypothetical and relevant example that can also potentially be related to real scientific or economic measures. The things below that are known to be true will be labelled "fact."
In this example, we are concerned with the effect of sea level rise on the Wadden Sea National Park (Vadehavet Park).
Fact -- One of the key ecological features at Wadden is the tidal flat, and area where, twice a day, the tide recedes significantly to expose sufficient sand area to feed an estimate 10 million migratory birds.
Harm issue: does the rise in sea level caused by climate change reduce the volume of area migratory birds can access for food resources? What are the consequences and costs? EG., Do more migratory birds died as a result? Are fewer migratory birds nesting? How can one attach an economic cost to the above? Does the decline in the migratory bird population affect bird watching at the park (e.g., decline in visits)? What local economic effects might this produce?
Fact -- the government defines Wadden as the best protected natural park in the country. What is the value of that protected area? What kinds of other protected portions of nature (e.g., since sea level is rising, land further in land are being flooded -- what kinds of lands are being lost? What is theri value? Are species being lost? What is their value?
Fact -- Due to its value to the global ecosystem, UNESCO designated Wadden as a World Heritage site. Potential meaning -- as a World Heritage site, is now UNESCO among the victims of harm affecting Wadden Sea? Or are the victims the citizens of the world? The point here is that perhaps the designation of Wadden now affects the definition of the victims.
Unknown (didn't spend enough time looking this up to reach a conclusion)-- Has sea-level risen actually risen in Wadden?
Next, you have to move on to the next issue, which is establishing the connection between climate change and sea level rise. Here you need to pay attention to the fact that sea level rise varies in different parts of the world, and so you have to find relevant data.
Next you have to get to OFFENDERS....once you establish that there are victims, that means that logically, there are offenders -- unless there is claim that this is a "victimless" crime -- but usually by victimless we mean self inflicted, in which case the victim and offender are the same.
Now, once you can establish the existence of offenders, you have to identify who they are....
How would you do this?
Well, in some sense, everyone is an offender to the extent that they produce greenhouse gas emissions...So, the question is -- are there significant sources of greenhouse gas emitting offenders in Denmark, since this is your target group... I didn't look up any of this information -- but one issue is, for example, that a very LARGE company is Royal Dutch Shell....how much CO2 does Royal Dutch Shell produce?
In any event, this kind of analysis can become quiet extensive....
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