Human Rights and Global Climate Change

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to human rights and global climate change as discussed in the lecture notes.

Human Rights

The rights possessed by all individuals by virtue of being human, regardless of status.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948, it is a common standard of achievement for all peoples.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

An agreement completed in 1966 detailing the basic civil and political rights of individuals.

International Bill of Rights

Collectively refers to the UDHR, ICCPR, and ICESCR, forming the core of international human rights.

Nonderogable Rights

Rights that cannot be suspended for any reason, including emergency situations.

Prisoners of Conscience (POCs)

Individuals imprisoned solely for peacefully expressing their beliefs.

Individual Petition

The right for individuals to petition international legal bodies if they believe their rights have been violated.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

A court of last resort for human rights cases with jurisdiction under specific conditions.

International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)

An agreement detailing basic economic, social, and cultural rights of individuals.

Global Climate Change

Human-induced environmental changes, notably from greenhouse gas emissions.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

An international agreement from 1992 to guide intergovernmental climate change efforts.

Paris Agreement

A 2015 agreement under UNFCCC requiring commitments to control greenhouse gas emissions.

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation where a resource is open to all without limits, leading to degradation.

Public Goods

Products that are nonexcludable and nonrival in consumption, such as national defense.

Common-Pool Resources

Goods available to everyone, where one user's consumption reduces availability for others.

Nonexcludable Goods

Goods that cannot be prevented from being consumed by other actors once available.

Nonrival Goods

Goods where consumption by one does not diminish availability for others.

Kyoto Protocol

An amendment to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to reduce emissions.