Cambridge Research Group on Private Actor Responsibility Research Discussion Event: 'Everyone’s Responsibility for Climate Change'

On Monday 1 June at 4pm, the Research Group on Private Actor Responsibility (PAR) is holding a final Easter term event at the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law (LCIL) that discusses moral, ethical and legal aspects of individual accountability in the context of climate change. The discussion is based on a project, currently titled "A Normal Life", by Marcus Coates, King’s College artist in residence, which raises questions about the responsibility all of us incur for living 'a normal life' with its consequences for our planet, in particular climate change. Marcus will introduce his project, followed by a discussion.

The project considers the experience of living through today’s unfolding and deepening permacrisis that poses profound and urgent questions to and of society, individual citizens, institutions and world leaders. Questions like "Who is accountable?" and "Who is responsible?" resonate ever more sharply as we call ourselves and others to account for bringing our people and our planet to the edge of the precipice.

While focusing on legal aspects, our discussion with Marcus also aims to bring out different perspectives to investigate our complicity in the earth crisis - including the cultural forces, ideologies, values, and myths that shape our behaviour. Marcus' project foregrounds those whose lives have been shaped by climate impacts – from small island nations threatened by rising seas to the farmers of the Fens facing unprecedented threats due to climate change – as well as those resolutely in denial of the crisis.

Please direct any questions to Dr Andrew Sanger and/or Professor Henning Grosse Ruse-Khan.