Page 176 - Supplemento 2-2016 (ENG)

Francesco la camera

biodiversity and climate change the idea of a limit is tangible. Economic growth
cannot be infinite in itself. This must not be disheartening because the idea that
prosperity is associated exclusively with the level of economic growth - the
more goods and services we consume the better we are - fails to consider other
aspects of the concept of well being, that are not just limited to mere consum-
ption of goods and services exchangeable in the market.

Let’s try to illustrate another aspect also connected with a possible idea of
the relationship between ethics and the environment, by discussing justice. Let’s
talk about the available so-called “carbon budget”. What is it? It’s the amount
of emission still available to the global economic system from now to 2040.
This budget cannot be exceeded otherwise our efforts to keep the planet’s tem-
perature increase below two degrees by the end of the century would be in vain.

At this point we have an available slice of pollution. Who will use it? Which
is the right way to use it? This issue cannot be left to the market. The market has
already shown its inability to distribute carbon quotas in a fair way because many
are the inequalities in terms of income and prosperity. We need to consider the
meaning of economy and its purpose, which should be centred on humankind

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