The question
When emissions must fall, who should be made to change: individuals, corporations, or governments?
Positions to consider
| Position | The argument | The objection |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals | Demand drives supply; habits scale | Personal footprints are a small share of the total |
| Corporations | A small number of firms produce most emissions | They produce what people buy |
| Governments | Only they can set rules that bind everyone | Rules can fall hardest on those least able to absorb them |
Ground rules
- Attack arguments, never people
- “I disagree because…” — always finish the sentence
- You may change your mind out loud. That is a success, not a loss
The complication worth raising
The idea of a personal “carbon footprint” was popularised by an advertising campaign for an oil company. Does knowing that change how you weigh the first position? Should the origin of an idea affect whether it is true?
Background: Indicators of Climate Change
Curriculum connection
B1.1
assess impacts of climate change on the sustainability of local and global ecosystems, describe local or global initiatives for combatting climate change, and identify solutions to address some of the impacts
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B1.2
assess impacts of climate change on communities in Canada, including First Nations, MĂ©tis, and Inuit communities
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A2.3
analyse how the development and application of science is economically, culturally, and socially contextualized, by investigating real-world issues
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