Intergenerational care and judg(e)ment in a time of climate change

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Quote from the film The Tomorrow War (2021).

2 Ben Little and Alison Winch point out that there are two distinct approaches to the concept of generation: one addressing its biological or familial dimensions, and the other in which it is viewed as a ‘social and historical term’ with both conservative and radical connotations: Little and Winch (2017), p 131.

3 I refer here to intergenerational care within and between members of the human community.

4 I refer here to care on the part of members of the human community for current and future generations of nonhuman, or more-than-human species; in particular, those species facing extinction.

5 A Sud et al v Italy; writ of summons filed in June 2021.

6 Girard (1977).

7 See Goodrich (forthcoming): ‘The key to judgement in its hermeneutically larger sense and proper spelling is that it necessarily acknowledges that it does not know everything, that this is a work in progress, that doubt suffuses and deserves expression in politics and in law.’

8 Weiss (2008), p 616.

9 Howard et al (forthcoming).

10 Johns-Putra (2019), p 10.

11 Scranton (2018), p 332.

12 Paterson (2016), p 23.

13 O’Connell (2020), pp 135-8.

14 Hunter (2017).

15 Mildenhall (2020).

16 Robinson (2019).

17 Montag (2019).

18 Cook (2020).

19 Lunde (2019).

20 This form of apocalyptic hoarding takes place in, for instance, Pfeffer (2006), pp 32–41 and Greengrass (2021), discussed below.

21 Greengrass (2021).

22 Moleta (2021).

23 Greengrass (2021), p 20.

24 Greengrass (2021), p 11.

25 Greengrass (2021), p 19.

26 Moleta (2021), p 199.

27 Moleta (2021), p 203.

28 Rogers (2019), p 4.

29 Greengrass (2021), p 107.

30 Greengrass (2021), p 26.

31 Greengrass (2021), p 24.

32 Greengrass (2021), p 26.

33 Greengrass (2021), pp 42-3.

34 Greengrass (2021), p 107.

35 Greengrass (2021), p 175.

36 Greengrass (2021), p 222.

37 Greengrass (2021), p 177.

38 Moleta (2021), p 5.

39 Colebrook (2019), p 266.

40 Moleta (2021), p 70.

41 Moleta (2021), p 144.

42 Moleta (2021), p 88.

43 Moleta (2021), pp 189-90.

44 Greengrass (2021), p 226.

45 Greengrass (2021), p 177.

46 Caro, observing the supplies in the barn, ‘felt love come off the shelves like heat’: Greengrass (2021), p 178.

47 Greengrass (2021), p 124.

48 Moleta (2021), p 304.

49 Moleta (2021), p 199.

50 Moleta (2021), p 139.

51 Johns-Putra (2019), p 57.

52 Moleta (2021), p 232.

53 Ernman et al (2020).

54 Alexandria Villasenor, one of the petitioners in Sacchi v Argentina (referenced below), has written that ‘I’ve been forced to organize a revolution instead of doing normal kid things’: ChildrenvsClimateCrisis https://childrenvsclimatecrisis.org.

55 Raj-Seppings (2019).

56 Pascoe (2020).

57 See Pender (2021).

58 Minister for the Environment v Sharma [2022] FCAFC 35.

59 Peel and Markey-Towler (2021), pp 1486-1487.

60 These include: Anvil Hill Project Watch Association Inc v Minister for Environment and Water Resources (2008) 166 FCR 54; a challenge to the Commonwealth approval of Adani’s Carmichael mine in Australian Conservation Foundation v Minister for the Environment (2016) 251 FCR 308; and on appeal Australian Conservation Foundation v Minister for the Environment (2017) 251 FCR 359; and challenges mounted by the Northern Inland Council for the Environment to Commonwealth approvals of Whitehaven’s Maules Creek mine and an expansion of Idemitsu’s Boggabri Mine: Northern Inland Council for the Environment v Minister for Environment [2013] FCA 1419 and Northern Inland Council for the Environment v Minister for the Environment [2013] FCA 1418. Environmental groups have also mounted various challenges to the Minister’s decision not to assess coalmines under the EPBCA.

61 McGrath (date unknown).

62 See Rogers (2017), pp 480-481.

63 Sharma v Minister for the Environment (2021) 248 LGERA 330, at 404.

64 Sharma v Minister for the Environment (2021) 248 LGERA 330, at 411.

65 Sharma v Minister for the Environment (2021) 248 LGERA 330, at 411.

66 Sharma v Minister for the Environment (2021) 248 LGERA 330, at 411.

67 Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562, at 580 (Lord Atkin).

68 Quoted in Sharma v Minister for the Environment (2021) 248 LGERA 330, at 370.

69 Sharma v Minister for the Environment (2021) 248 LGERA 330, at 455.

70 Sharma v Minister for the Environment (2021) 248 LGERA 330, at 455.

71 Sharma v Minister for the Environment (2021) 248 LGERA 330, at 454.

72 Extinction Rebellion Australia, ‘Duty of Care Campaign’, https://ausrebellion.earth/news/duty-of-care-campaign.

73 Extinction Rebellion Australia, ‘“Burning Pram Lady” Faces Court, Says Government is “Failing Future Generations”’, https://ausrebellion.earth/news/burning-pram-lady-faces-court-says-government-is-failing-future-generations.

74 Extinction Rebellion Australia, ‘Princes Bridge, Melbourne/NAARM “Life Hanging by a Thread”’, https://ausrebellion.earth/news/princes-bridge-melbourne-naarm-life-hanging-by-a-thread.

75 Sussan Ley, ‘Statement of Reasons for Approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999’, http://epbcnotices.environment.gov.au/_entity/annotation/fc88f7b9-b216-ec11-80c8-00505684c137/a71d58ad-4cba-48b6-8dab-f3091fc31cd5?t=1631772128493 para 280.

76 Rogers (2019), pp 37-38.

77 Sussan Ley, ‘Statement of Reasons for Approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999’, http://epbcnotices.environment.gov.au/_entity/annotation/fc88f7b9-b216-ec11-80c8-00505684c137/a71d58ad-4cba-48b6-8dab-f3091fc31cd5?t=1631772128493 paras198-199.

78 Cox (2021).

79 Sharma (2022).

80 https://twitter.com/LucyTurnbull_AO/status/1503534636995014657.

81 Pender (2022).

82 Juliana v United States, 947 F3d 1159, at 1175 (9th Cir 2020) (Hurwitz J).

83 Juliana v United States, 947 F3d 1159, at 1191 (9th Cir 2020) (Staton J).

84 Minister for the Environment v Sharma [2022] FCAFC 35, para 407 (Beach J).

85 Minister for the Environment v Sharma [2022] FCAFC 35, para 266 (Allsop CJ).

86 Minister for the Environment v Sharma [2022] FCAFC 35, para 346 (Allsop CJ).

87 Minister for the Environment v Sharma [2022] FCAFC 35, para 747 (Beach J).

88 Minister for the Environment v Sharma [2022] FCAFC 35, para 882 (Wheelahan J).

89 Minister for the Environment v Sharma [2022] FCAFC 35, para 754 (Beach J).

90 Johnson (2022).

91 O’Malley (2022).

92 Anjali Sharma el al, ‘“They Will Not Forget Our Names”: No Appeal, But a Vow to Keep Pushing for Climate Action’, https://equitygenerationlawyers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/220412-Statement-from-Sharma-litigants-on-High-Court-appeal.pdf.

93 Pabai and Kabai v Commonwealth of Australia (Federal Court of Australia).

94 Client Earth, ‘Climate Threatened Torres Strait Islanders Bring Human Rights Claim against Australia’, https://www.clientearth.org/press/climate-threatened-torres-strait-islanders-bring-human-rights-claim-against-australia.

95 Decision adopted by the Committee on the Rights of the Child under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure in respect of Communication No. 104/2019, 88^th sess, UN Doc CRC/C/88/D/104/2019 (22 September 2021); Decision adopted by the Committee on the Rights of the Child under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure in respect of Communication No. 105/2019, 88^th sess, UN Doc CRC/C/88/D/105/2019 (22 September 2021); Decision adopted by the Committee on the Rights of the Child under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure in respect of Communication No. 106/2019, 88^th sess, UN Doc CRC/C/88/D/106/2019 (22 September 2021); Decision adopted by the Committee on the Rights of the Child under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure in respect of Communication No. 107/2019, 88^th sess, UN Doc CRC/C/88/D/107/2019 (22 September 2021); and Decision adopted by the Committee on the Rights of the Child under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure in respect of Communication No. 108/2019, 88^th sess, UN Doc CRC/C/88/D/108/2019 (22 September 2021). The same reasoning, differing only in the discussion of available domestic remedies in each jurisdiction, appeared in the decisions relating to the five nation parties; I have referenced below only the decision in relation to Argentina.

96 Convention on the Rights of the Child, opened for signature 20 November 1989, 1577 UNTS 3 (entered into force 2 September 1990).

97 Decision adopted by the Committee on the Rights of the Child under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure in respect of Communication No. 104/2019, 88^th sess, UN Doc CRC/C/88/D/104/2019 (22 September 2021) (Sacchi v Argentina), para 3.3.

98 Sacchi v Argentina, para 3.1.

99 Sacchi v Argentina, para 3.7.

100 Sacchi v Argentina, para 10.7.

101 Sacchi v Argentina, para 10.14.

102 Sacchi v Argentina, para 10.10.

103 Sacchi v Argentina, para 10.21.

104 Sacchi v Argentina, paras 5.6-5.7.

105 Sharma v Minister for the Environment (2021) 248 LGERA 330, at 412.

106 Sharma v Minister for the Environment (2021) 248 LGERA 330, at 412.

107 Sharma v Minister for the Environment (2021) 248 LGERA 330, at 414.

108 Sharma v Minister for the Environment (2021) 248 LGERA 330, at 414.

109 Sharma v Minister for the Environment (2021) 248 LGERA 330, at 414-415.

110 Minister for the Environment v Sharma [2022] FCAFC 35, para 339 (Allsop CJ).

111 Sacchi et al, ‘Petition to the United Nations Secretary-General to Declare a Climate Emergency and Mobilize a Comprehensive UN Response’, https://www.hausfeld.com/media/1roftlln/petition-to-the-unsg-to-declare-a-climate-emergency-november-10-2021.pdf at 3.

112 Sacchi et al, ‘Petition to the United Nations Secretary-General to Declare a Climate Emergency and Mobilize a Comprehensive UN Response’, https://www.hausfeld.com/media/1roftlln/petition-to-the-unsg-to-declare-a-climate-emergency-november-10-2021.pdf at 4.

113 Sacchi et al, ‘Petition to the United Nations Secretary-General to Declare a Climate Emergency and Mobilize a Comprehensive UN Response’, https://www.hausfeld.com/media/1roftlln/petition-to-the-unsg-to-declare-a-climate-emergency-november-10-2021.pdf at 5.

114 See Wood (2014).

115 Juliana v United States, 947 F3d 1159, at 1164 (9th Cir 2020) (Hurwitz J).

116 Parker et al (2021).

117 DeJusticia, ‘Climate Change and Future Generations Lawsuit in Colombia: Key Excerpts from the Supreme Court Decision’, https://www.dejusticia.org/en/climate-change-and-future-generations-lawsuit-in-colombia-key-excerpts-from-the-supreme-courts-decision.

118 Kotze (2021), p 1424.

119 Kotze (2021), p 1425.

120 Justice Bromberg’s focus was upon the culpability of today’s adult generation. While there is no doubt that earlier generations have contributed to the rise in global greenhouse gas emissions, today’s adults are the first generation to do so in full knowledge of the relationship between their acts and omissions and the looming climate catastrophe. Furthermore, the contribution of today’s adults of the Global North to global greenhouse gas emissions far exceeds that of earlier generations.

121 The period following World War II, during which there has been a ‘dramatic change in magnitude and rate of the human imprint’ on the Earth system, is called the Great Acceleration by Australian climate scientist Will Steffen and his colleagues: Steffen et al (2015), 82.

122 Hausfeld, ‘UN Committee on the Rights of the Child Turns its Back on Climate Change Petition from Greta Thunberg and Children from Around the World’, https://www.hausfeld.com/news/un-committee-on-the-rights-of-the-child-turns-its-back-on-climate-change-petition-from-greta-thunberg-and-children-from-around-the-world.

123 Thunberg (2019), p 40.

124 Quoted in Milman (2019).

125 Carrington (2021).

126 See Rogers (2019), pp 50-53.

127 Greengrass (2021), p 227.

128 Greengrass (2021), p 43.

129 Jensen (2013).

130 Lessing (1981).

131 Jensen (2013), p 193.

132 Jensen (2013), p 239.

133 Jensen (2013), p 297.

134 Jensen (2013), p 237.

135 Jensen (2013), p 293.

136 Jensen (2013), p 82.

137 Jensen (2013), p 301.

138 Lessing (1974), p 7.

139 Lessing (1974), p 21.

140 Lessing (1974), p 147.

141 Lessing (1972).

142 Lessing (1972), p 613.

143 Lessing (1972), p 611.

144 Lessing (1972), p 662.

145 French (2019), p 174.

146 Barnes (2013).

147 Lessing (1981), pp 295-296.

148 Lessing (1981), p 388.

149 Lessing (1981), p 405.

150 See Girard on the role of the ‘surrogate victim’: Girard (1977), pp 81-82.

151 Lessing (1981), p 411.

152 Lessing (1981), p 412.

153 Lessing (1981), p 415.

154 Girard (1977), pp 162-163.

155 Le Guin (2013).

156 Lessing (1981), p 412.

157 Lessing (1981), p 416.

158 Lessing (1981), p 416.

159 Girard (1977), p 103.

160 Lessing (1981), p 417.

161 Little and Winch (2017), p 138.

162 Fridays for Future, ‘March 25. @People Not Profit’, https://fridaysforfuture.org/march25.

163 Ghosh (2021), p 116.

164 Ghosh (2021), p 152.

165 Ghosh (2021), p 153.

166 Ghosh (2021), p 165.

167 Ghosh (2021), p 167.

168 Fridays for Future, ‘March 25. @People Not Profit’, https://fridaysforfuture.org/march25.

169 Arendt (1994).

170 Arendt (1994), p 137.

171 Arendt (1994), p 135.

172 Arendt (1994), p 25.

173 Corbett (2018).

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Nicole Rogers

Dr Nicole Rogers is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Business, Law and Arts, Southern Cross University. She was a founding member of the School of Law and Justice at Southern Cross University, a pioneering regional law school with a focus upon environmental and social justice. Nicole’s research is in the areas of wild law, interdisciplinary climate studies and law as performance. In 2014, she instigated the Wild Law Judgment project, and she co-led this innovative project from 2014 to 2017. She is co-editor of Law as if Earth Really Mattered: The Wild Law Judgment Project (Routledge, 2017). Nicole’s research monograph, Law, Fiction and Activism in a Time of Climate Change (Routledge, 2019), was shortlisted for the international 2020 Hart-SLSA book prize and the 2020 inaugural Australian Legal Research Book Award. Her most recent book, Law, Climate Emergency and the Australian Megafires, was published by Routledge in 2021.