A Theory of Intergenerational Justice

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The appeal to 'our obligations to future generations' serves as a powerful argument for sustainable development, yet the specifics of these obligations remain ambiguous—who owes what to whom, and why? This accessible book offers a thorough overview of current research on protecting future generations, highlighting the conflicts between present and future interests and proposing actionable solutions. It challenges critical concepts like Parfit's 'non-identity' paradox and Beckerman's rejection of intergenerational justice. Central to the discussion is the application of a 'veil of ignorance' to establish principles of intergenerational justice, demonstrating that our responsibilities to future generations are more significant than often believed. Tremmel emphasizes that each generation must consider and enhance the well-being of those to come, using the Human Development Index as a measure instead of subjective happiness metrics. The book addresses the crucial questions of 'what to sustain' and 'how much to sustain,' ultimately providing a robust and practical theory of intergenerational justice. Its insights have broad implications for law, policy, economics, climate change, and other areas impacting future generations.