Özet:

Through an examination of some of the moral and political difficulties impeding people acting individually and collectively in pursuit of reduced carbon emissions, this article addresses the ways in which the government can and should encourage citizens to modify their behaviour and become good environmental citizens. The article touches on issues of rational choice and collective (ir)rationality, considers the individual moral response to these and the extent to which the government can act to eliminate or reduce the threat of inertia caused by collective action problems. Although the article is primarily focussed on the responsibilities of individuals in general, it also considers their role and views as citizens of states and supranational organisations such as the European Union. It also briefly addresses the problem of climate change as a “viciously nested” collective action problem, repeated at all political levels, from individuals to states to the European Union to international organisations, treaties and accords.

Anahtar Kelimeler: