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WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE? Implications for U.N. Talks, Shareholders, and Liability The question of responsibility for climate change lies at the heart of debate over actions to address it. In 1992 the U.N. climate framework divided the world into two parts—developed countries, which had produced the greatest share of historic emissions were given the task of preventing dangerous greenhouse gas levels, and developing countries, which were given few duties. The world’s economy looks much different today, and the notion of “common but differentiated responsibilities” among states is being transformed. But society can assign climate responsibilities in ways other than among nations. This symposium explores the conceptual territory of climate responsibility, and scientific, legal, ethical, and policy bases for assigning responsibility to countries and to other entities—from individuals to emitting industries to the fossil fuel companies at the base of the carbon supply chain whose responsibilities are now being actively debated in shareholder resolutions and calls for institutional divestment. SPEAKERS Peter C. Frumhoff , Director of Science and Policy, Union of Concerned Scientists Michael B. Gerrard, Andrew Sabin Professor of Professional Pactice and Director, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School Karenna Gore, Director, Center for Earth Ethics, Union Theological Seminary Sivan Kartha, Senior Scientist, Stockholm Environment Institute Naomi Oreskes, Professor of the History of Science, Harvard University Michael Vandenbergh, David Daniels Allen Distinguished Chair of Law, Vanderbilt Law School TO REGISTER: www.law.columbia.edu/climatechange/responsibility This symposium is free and open to the public; advanced registration is required. This program is generously supported by the David Sive Memorial Fund. CO-SPONSORED BY Wednesday, November 4 7–9 p.m. Columbia Law School Jerome Greene Hall, Room 104 435 West 116th Street (at Amsterdam Avenue) NEAREST SUBWAY: 116th Street stop on #1 line.
