Climate Change and Lessons from the Abolition of Slavery

Abstract

A number of authors have made a comparison between the abolition of slavery and action to combat climate change. Most authors, however, make similar claims, suggesting that progress on climate change will require a transformation in moral perception. Although this is an important lesson, we will argue that it is not the most interesting or important lesson. Ultimately, we end with a cautiously optimistic conclusion, suggesting that we may be closer than we think to significant action on climate change. Less optimistically, however, the evidence suggests that any solution is likely to involve unpalatable compromise and/or unpalatable confrontation.