Future Generations

Abstract

While the concept of future generations and the related belief that current generations should seek to benefit their successors are ancient ones, the conviction that present people can mold the future is relatively recent. Future generations need to be understood globally, and there is a need to include every generation that can foreseeably be affected by current action. The case for current ethical responsibilities in their regard rests not on rights but on the difference that can be made to the quality of life of whoever there will be in future times. Future interests are often foreseeable, and discounting them for uncertainty can be questioned accordingly. Apparent conflicts between present and future interests can sometimes be solved by introducing sustainable practices and systems, including policies to stabilize the human population. Some nations have introduced constitutions that recognize environmental rights and institutions such as Ombudspersons to protect future interests; international counterparts of these should be considered. The Sustainable Development Goals, expected to succeed the Millennium Development Goals in 2015, can make a major difference to the needs of future people, as long as the MDG to reduce poverty is retained and not discarded.