Abstract

In the paper I want to suggest an environmental argument in favor of global distributive justice. This argument aids in the understanding of the idea of a global share of burdens and benefits which comes from natural resources. A similar argument was raised in the past, together with the demand for the restraint of deforestation in Brazil, for example, even though the rain forests are natural resources located in its territory. The argument I suggest regards the atmosphere as well as greenhouse gas emissions as common, and hence, its distribution should be grounded on considerations of global justice. If rich countries think that they are sovereign to do whatever they like with natural resources which are within their territories, then poor countries should have the right to do the same with greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere above their territories, and consequently make an uninhibited and unrestrained use of these resources. Rich countries who reject this idea have to accept the idea that they should share part of their wealth with poor countries, from which they ask for restrained development.