Technology, law and ethics: regulating the risks of the anthropocene
University of Edinburgh MA Social Policy and Economics, United Kingdom.
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2025, 09(01), 010-019.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjms.2025.9.1.0014
Publication history:
Received on 20 December 2024; revised on 15 January 2025; accepted on 18 January 2025
Abstract:
This research analyses and examines the key themes of technology, law, and ethics when considering the environmental threats and opportunities associated with the proposed epoch of Anthropocene. The paper explores the nature of emerging technologies as containing the solution to one crisis and raising new worries and ethical considerations for another, for instance, geoengineering and renewable energy. A large emphasis is made on the effectiveness of various international environmental treaties such as the Paris Accord and the Kyoto Protocol in addressing Technological development is a realm where change is constant, and it tends to progress faster than the legal framework, for instance, the Paris Accord and Kyoto Protocol. The research compares the normative principles used in tackling technologies with uncertain long-term impacts including the precautionary principle, sustainable development and the Common but Differentiated Responsibilities. This research engages doctrinal legal analysis and case-study approaches to geoengineering and renewable energy respectively as a qualitative method to reveal and map gaps in the governance of geoengineering, and to understand and present ethical issues of generational equity and justice and the weakness of regulatory frameworks. It offers practical advice on how the advancement of technology should be made compatible with ecological responsibility, the key topic of the current Anthropocene era is the blueprint of strong legal frameworks as well as ethical solution.
Keywords:
Anthropocene; Emerging technologies; International environmental law; Geoengineering; Precautionary principle; Ethical governance
Full text article in PDF:
Copyright information:
Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0