The Miner and the Activist: a parable for our carbon constrained world
- Publisher:
- University of Arizona
- Publication Type:
- Journal Article
- Citation:
- Journal of Political Ecology: Case Studies in History and Society, 2010, 17 (2010) pp. 59 - 67
- Issue Date:
- 2010-01
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This paper reviews the meaning of carbon by applying five broad questions to this controversial substance: what is land; what is property; what is ownership; what is value; and what are property rights? By exploring each of these questions, we aim to show that a multidimensional and complex understanding is required for effective policy discussions to confront the challenge of global warming. We engage the perspective of a miner and an environmental activist to illustrate the tensions relating to carbon pollution in an era of climate change, and in so doing we offer a parable for our carbon constrained world. We conclude by considering the implications of property rights for carbon for polluters, governments, people as individuals with a right to breathe clean air, as well as the global commons and other species.
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