The Theoretical Foundations of Intergenerational Ecological Justice: An Overview

Abstract

While few would deny that present generations have a moral obligation to preserve the environment for future generations, some theorists reject the existence of a legal duty in this regard. This article takes the opposite view. It argues that ample juridical as well as ethical social justice theory - contractarian distributive and reciprocity-based theories prominent among them - establishes that future generations have a legal right to a clean and healthy environment. But most helpful in ensuring intergenerational ecological justice, the author contends, is a respect-based theory of social justice which at its core honors the values that underwrite human rights law and policy inclusively conceived and embraced.

Keywords: future generations, ecological justice, social justice

JEL Classification: K10, K19, K32, K33, N50, Q20, Q30,