Only religious ethics can help achieve equal burden sharing of global environmental sustainability

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper develops an analytical framework for comparing religious ethics (Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam) and secular ethics (duties to nature and future generations, rights of future generations). The paper presents empirical results for OECD and non-OECD countries based on numerical simulations for current and maximum feasible parameter values and on panel data statistical analyses for marginal reliable changes of parameters. Secular ethics are beneficial, but unfeasible and unreliable in OECD countries; they are detrimental, unfeasible, and unreliable in non-OECD countries. Religious ethics were all beneficial and feasible in all countries; apart from Judaism, all religions were reliable in OECD countries. Apart from Buddhism, all religions were reliable in non-OECD countries.