Introduction

Over the past two decades, human security has developed into an important international discourse that draws attention to the well-being of individuals and communities in the face of multiple stressors and threats. By embracing both normative and ethical perspectives, human security draws attention to the factors that influence the capacity of individuals and communities to respond to threats to their needs, rights and values (Barnett et al., 2010). Drawing on moral and philosophical arguments, this book shows how human security can serve as a critical lens through which climate change can be discussed, analysed and addressed. It allows us to inquire, assess and evaluate climate change processes and their outcomes from the perspective of what matters to human beings, both individually and collectively. From such a perspective it is possible to link environmental changes directly to the factors that create and perpetuate poverty, vulnerability and insecurity. Issues of power, politics and interests inevitably arise, but so do questions of culture, values, beliefs and worldviews. Human security emphasises not only how humans individually and collectively experience climate change, but also how they perceive their responsibilities towards future generations, including their own capacity to forge outcomes that can build a more sustainable and equitable future.

The prevailing discourse on climate change frames it as a serious environmental problem that will affect humanity in unprecedented ways if it is not immediately addressed.