Should the protection of the climate, biosphere and biodiversity of the planet's natural ecosystems as a key factor in humanity's security be included in basic human rights?
In connection with Human Rights Day 2023 (10.12.2023), I propose to discuss the issue of protecting the climate, biosphere and biodiversity of the planet's natural ecosystems as a key factor for humanity's security in the context of basic human rights as well. If mankind does not manage to smoothly carry out the green transformation of the economy during the current decade, including the green transformation of the energy sector, the amount of greenhouse gases that will enter the atmosphere will exceed the tipping point, so that the increasingly rapid process of global warming will become irreversible. The green transformation of the economy also includes, among other things. such green projects as afforestation of wasteland and post-industrially degraded areas, forest deforestation processes are reduced, agriculture carried out according to the robbery model of economy is being transformed towards sustainable pro-environmental pro-climate ecological agriculture of mainly vegetable crops, urban agglomerations are being developed according to the concept of green smart city, sustainable construction based on green energy-saving low- or zero-emission construction technologies is being developed, production processes are carried out in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and circular economy, consumerism reduction and sharing economy programs are developed, within the transport sector, transport based on electromobility and hydrogen power is developed, within the energy sector, renewable and emission-free energy sources are being developed, including new developments in solar power, wind power, geothermal power, in addition to eco-innovative solutions based on hydrogen power and, in transition periods, nuclear power and low-carbon power based on biogas plants, etc. If the process of global warming is not stopped then the future, including the existence on the planet of future generations of people is at risk. The key issue is to stop the increase in the average temperature level of the planet's atmosphere at max. 1.5 degrees C counting from the beginning of the first industrial, technological revolution. A number of scientific studies show that human efforts to date in carrying out the green transformation of the economy are still insufficient. The high level of relevance of this topic is also pointed out at the annual UN COP Climate Conferences. The 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) is being held in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) from November 30 to December 12, 2023. Studies of long-term climate change processes show that 2023 was the warmest year in 125,000 years. As a result, the question is increasingly topical: Why is humanity under-implementing the process of green transformation of the economy? Do people care too little about the future state of the climate, biosphere and biodiversity of the planet's natural ecosystems? Is the future of future generations of people still not being taken seriously? Why are the pledges made by governments and corporations at the UN COP Climate Summits to accelerate the processes of green transformation of the economy still not being implemented on the right scale or only marginally implemented? Why, in the sphere of business and politics, does the question of the future of the planet and humanity continue to give way to current, short-sighted, selfish, subjective and cynically pursued business goals? In this regard, it becomes necessary to recognize the issue of protecting the climate, biosphere and biodiversity of the planet's natural ecosystems as a key factor in the security of humanity, and should therefore be included in basic human rights.
I have taken up this issue as part of my research and presented the results from my research on this topic in the following article available on this Research Gate portal:
Article HUMAN SECURITY AS AN ELEMENT OF THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABLE D...
I invite scientific cooperation in the present problematic.
In view of the above, I address the following question to the esteemed community of scientists and researchers:
Should the protection of the climate, biosphere and biodiversity of the planet's natural ecosystems as a key factor in the security of humanity be included in basic human rights?
Should the protection of the climate, biosphere and biodiversity of the planet's natural ecosystems be included in basic human rights?
What do you think about this topic?
What is your opinion on this issue?
Please answer,
I invite everyone to join the discussion,
Thank you very much,
Best wishes,
Dariusz Prokopowicz
The above text is entirely my own work written by me on the basis of my research.
In writing this text I did not use other sources or automatic text generation systems.
Copyright by Dariusz Prokopowicz
Dear Dariusz Prokopowicz
I find your question extremely interesting.
It shows how complex is the question of climate change and its effects.
I fully agree that „climate” as an existence has various ”layers” - for instance - biosphere.
I think that an affirmative answer to your question could mean that states would have unlimited power and obligations “in the zone of biosphere”. However, as far as I know, the biosphere is a global system, a part of the Earth’s crust, so it “covers” not only land but also seas and oceans etc.
The question arises: how to delimitate boundaries in biosphere so that each state could exercise its jurisdiction (and be obliged to ensure a right to Climate protection) within these boundaries (these boundaries should be the same as the state’s borders).
Due to the complexity of the topic an interdisciplinary research are needed.
I would make the argument that most needs should be rights. In Canada, for example, we effectively have the right to education, healthcare, governance, water/sanitation (in most non-indigenous communities, anyway) - either at no cost or at a low cost. We dont have the right to housing, food, clothing…
I think extending that idea to the foundations of our ecosytems, as the foundation of pur communities, is both a brilliant idea, and necessary.
What I wanted to point out is, for example, that the reduction of greenhouse gases depends on many factors, just as stated in the 2023 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, where we can read, among other things, that: "Effective climate action is enabled by political commitment, well-aligned multilevel governance, institutional frameworks, laws, policies and strategies and enhanced access to finance and technology". However, the sole idea is great. I agree.
Dear Dariusz,
Let me clarify some points.
Should the protection of the climate, biosphere and biodiversity of the planet's natural ecosystems as a key factor in humanity's security be included in basic human rights?
The question arises, what are the basic human rights? For example, there is a scientific idea that the right to environmental safety is identified with the right to an environment safe for life and health (climate, biosphere and biodiversity of the planet's natural ecosystems as a part of the environment).
Should ensuring climate and environmental security for people become part of basic human rights?
Climate and environmental safety, how do they relate?? Is the climate part of the ecological part or is it part of something third? How do you understand the term climate rights? Their relation to environmental human rights?
Thank you!
For example, on December 14, Zakal Orisa Orestivna will be defend her dissertation on the topic: "Protection of climate human rights: issues of theory and practice" https://nubip.edu.ua/node/136290
Acredito que sim, visto as efeitos que a exploração capitalista das reservas naturais e seus impactos no clima, na saúde, nas relações humanas!
Dear Prof. Prokopowicz!
You point to an essential case of corporate negligence. It is a fact that the answer is yes, otherwise there will be no consequences of destroying our planet:
1) Ekardt, F., Günther, P., Hagemann, K. et al. Legally binding and ambitious biodiversity protection under the CBD, the global biodiversity framework, and human rights law. Environ Sci Eur 35, 80 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-023-00786-5, Open access: Article Legally binding and ambitious biodiversity protection under ...
2) HyeJin Kim, et al., Towards a better future for biodiversity and people: Modelling Nature Futures, Global Environmental Change, Volume 82,
2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2023.102681, Open access: Article Towards a better future for biodiversity and people: Modelli...
3) Hoddy, E., Halliday, S., Ensor, J., Wamsler, C., & Boyd, E. (2023). Legal culture and climate change adaptation: An agenda for research. WIREs Climate Change, 14(3), e825. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.825, Open access:
Article Legal culture and climate change adaptation: An agenda for research
4) Longo, M., Lorubbio, V. Ecosystem Vulnerability. New Semantics for International Law. Int J Semiot Law 36, 1611–1628 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11196-023-09998-7, Open access: Article Ecosystem Vulnerability. New Semantics for International Law
5) Dehbi, F. and Martin-Ortega, O. (2023), An integrated approach to corporate due diligence from a human rights, environmental, and TWAIL perspective. Regulation & Governance, 17: 927-943. https://doi.org/10.1111/rego.12538, Open access: Article An integrated approach to corporate due diligence from a hum...
Yours sincerely, Bulcsu Szekely
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