Climate Change Priorities for East Asia: Socio-Economic Impacts and International Justice

　

Paul G. Harris

　

Abstract

　

        In Chapter 2, Paul G. Harris presents a primer for the case studies that follow. He looks at two broad issues that permeate all debates about climate change policy and politics: (1) the anticipated and perceived ecological and especially socio-economic impacts of climate change for the countries of the region, which of course in large measure precede and dictate much of the subsequent negotiations, debates and actions by individual countries and the international community; and (2) critical questions of international justice (i.e., equity or fairness) associated with global warming and efforts to deal with its consequences. These two broad issues are unavoidable considerations for efforts to address climate change, and they are central to helping us understand why and how countries respond to climate change at the national, regional and international levels. The impacts of climate change drive concerns among countries, although, importantly, they are not the only considerations. Demands for justice affect the willingness of countries to join and implement the FCCC and related international instruments, and the extent to which demands for international justice are fulfilled will often determine the capacity of many countries to take robust steps to limit global warming and deal with its adverse impacts.

 

        Harris summarizes some of the science and related reports on climate change and its potential impacts in East Asia. As the reports show, climate change presents the region with major challenges, most of them unwelcome. (Later chapters look in greater detail at impacts in particular countries.) Harris also briefly introduces some underlying ethical considerations with regard to climate change justice before summarizing how justice is part of the broader international politics of climate change. His conclusion suggests that impacts of climate change are not always the most important considerations for East Asian countries. Improved understanding of the expected consequences of climate change has of course raised awareness and concern among them. However, profound concerns about justice (not to mention other concerns, which are addressed in the subsequent chapters) can be obstacles to international cooperation and national action to deal with this problem. The countries of the region, even those that are highly developed, expect that the world's more affluent countries should act first to reduce their own impacts on the global atmosphere, and that they must assist the world's poorer countries - notably those of East Asia - if those countries are to take steps to limit their GHG emissions and cope with the inevitable consequences of climate change.