Study Perspectives

The question behind “leaving fossil fuels in the ground as a social choice problem” (which answers Yes or No) is “Where to leave fossil fuels in the ground?”, and “What are the mechanisms to do it in each place?” The Integraal framework could permit exploration of these questions as well.

“Where to leave fossil fuels in the ground?” refers to the evaluation of performing issues according to the judgment given by stakeholders on each site. The question for the judgment would be: Are there good or bad conditions to leave fossil fuels in the ground in Yasuní, Nigeria or Guatemala, according to the specific values of each site? This would enable identification and evaluation of specific values of each social problem, and to compare judgement among sites (as it they were scenarios), so a priority site to leave fossil fuels in the ground can emerge. Special attention must be given to the identification of stakeholders, as they can vary according to sites, but at the same time, similar principles can be shared between them.

It is important to answer this question first, then continue with how to do it or through which mechanisms fossil fuels should be left in the ground.

The evaluation of these questions could bring us finally to a deep and exemplified representation of social problems, giving guidelines on how deliberation processes can be conducted by EJOs for future management options and regulatory procedures propositions for environmental justice and social choice problems everywhere.