Debating the Moral Dimensions of Climate Change
On November 16, Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore participated in a panel hosted by Boston University Global Programs and the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies: “The Moral Case for Saving the Planet: Religious Perspectives on Climate Change.” Moderated by Robert Hefner, professor at BU College of Arts and Sciences, the panel explored four regional perspectives on climate change: the European perspective, the African perspective, the Asian perspective, and the global South perspective. As the discussant, Dean Moore responded to the panelists by drawing out common themes and by adding a theological perspective.
Henrik Selin, professor of international relations at Pardee School of Global Studies, noted the steps that the Scandinavian countries have taken to address climate change. He said that the citizens of these countries see climate change as a real threat that requires action, and they expect government to act and have a comprehensive plan to address it. Although these countries are largely secular, there is a moral component to their desire for change: fortunate first-world countries have an obligation to share the burden and help the less fortunate.
James McCann, professor of history in College of Arts and Sciences, analyzed the African perspective, noting that rapid and unpredictable climate changes have led to major instability in agricultural societies. Robert Weller, professor of anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences, spoke of the Daoist principle, “Do nothing and nothing shall be undone,” interpreting the principle to mean, “Do nothing against the flow of the universe.” The Buddhist principle of living simply can create change, step by step, he said.
Adil Najam, dean of Pardee, discussed environmentalism as a moral code with its own rituals similar to organized religion. Climate change has always been a justice issue, he said, but it can be difficult to communicate the moral dimensions when it is seen as a purely scientific matter.
Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore responded to and summarized some of the panel’s major themes, concluding that it matters what your worldview is, it matters how you make meaning and value, and it matters how you live. She discussed several examples of communities in Malaysia and Cuba who formed local connections and alliances to respond to the local devastation of climate change.
The event was covered by the Daily Free Press.