Exploring ethical challenges relating to climate change

Climate change and climate variability creates both risks and opportunities worldwide. By understanding planning for and adapting to a changing climate individuals and societies can take advantage of these opportunities and reduce risks where possible. The consequences of climate variability and climate change are potentially more significant for activities that depend on local weather and climatic conditions. This book examines how farmers’ perceptions of weather conditions have corresponded with the climatic data recorded at various meteorological stations in the Garden Route South Africa. Through the use of in-depth interviews the book analyses farmers’ adaptive responses and perceptions of climate change: Are farmers’ perceptions and adaptation measures in line with climate data records as well as with the predicted Southern Cape climate changes? Furthermore the book incorporates three normative ethical approaches (utilitarianism deontology and virtue ethics) to explore the ethical challenges these farmers experience.