A Changing Environment for Human Security

27  Human security and personal responsibilities in light of climate change defeatism and complacency

Thomas Heyd

Introduction

The concept of human security, as elaborated by GECHS,¹ concerns ‘the freedom to take actions that promote wellbeing in response to changing environmental conditions’ (emphasis added, Lonergan et al., 2000). More specifically, human security is closely linked to norms, values, rights and entitlements and it draws attention to notions of empowerment, protection and responsibilities. It is about fulfilling people’s vital freedoms and the development of capacities to create satisfying lives for all people (O’Brien et al., 2010).

Human security, in other words, entails not only an end state, described in terms of an increase ...