New Horizons
Featured Locke on the Moon: Outer Space Treaty, Sustainability, and Appropriating Celestial Bodies from the Perspective of Lockean Property Theory
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Mikko Puumala
This paper examines property rights over extraterrestrial resources in the context of space sustainability. The aim is to point out deficiencies in Outer Space Treaty which explicitly limits only property rights of states and is thus in danger of becoming outdated, as private companies and individuals soon have access to space technology required for appropriating extraterrestrial resources. In this sense, celestial bodies can be interpreted as state of nature (i.e., outside a social contract), which may result in unsustainable practices and undesirable space future for humanity. Lacking adequate international agreements, the problem is more philosophical than juridical, and hence the paper operates within the field of political philosophy and space ethics. It relies on standard philosophical methods and argumentation, but especially analogy arguments and analysis since the current problem shares many relevant similarities with the history of colonialism. Utilizing Lockean property theory is particularly fruitful because the current situation with relatively unregulated outer space resembles the kind of frontier thinking and settler ethos of John Locke’s time and the philosophical heritage of his thinking. The result is that Lockean property theory can shed light on the current problem and give conceptual tools for more grounded discussion on appropriating celestial bodies, especially for discovering potential dangers and ethical pitfalls. The current situation is unsustainable because it leaves unclear the limits of private actors, potentially leading to deepening the gap between the rich and the poor and going against ideals of outer space exploration and research as humanity’s shared endeavour.
Female Genital Mutilation as a Determinant of Sexual Health: A Qualitative Study on Migrant Survivors in Europe View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Cayetano Fernández Sola, José Granero Molina, Maria Del Mar Jimenez Lasserrotte, María Dolores Ruiz Fernández, Isabel María Fernández Medina, José Manuel Hernández Padilla
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a culturally accepted practice in some societies that entails serious physical, psychological and social complications for survivors. AIM To understand the experiences and meanings that mutilated migrant women give to female genital mutilation as a determinant of their sexual health. A study was designed based on Merleau-Ponty’s hermeneutics. The lived experiences and meanings that participants attach to FGM will be interpreted from the perspective of women’s inseparability from the world, society, culture and significant others with whom they are interconnected. In-depth interviews were conducted with twelve mutilated women migrants to Europe from sub-Saharan African countries. An inductive analysis was made of the interviews in search of emerging themes. Three themes emerged that represent the experiences and meaning participants attach to FGM: (1) The weight of cultural and social context in the persistence of FGM; (2) An experience of physical and mental torture; (3) Reconstruction and activism: Personal and social changes to accompany political changes. Survivors of FGM feel that they are victims of a practice sustained in a cultural and social context that exerts unavoidable pressure. They describe the process as a procedure of physical and mental torture, with serious consequences for the survivors’ reproductive, sexual and psychological health. The process of genital reconstruction and/or activism from host societies reconciles survivors with their own identity and dignity.
Policy for Energy Efficiency in Buildings within the Context of Sustainability in Northern Cyprus
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Ercan Hoskara
The world is today trying to move away from the use of fossil fuel and the generation of emissions. There is a need for decarbonized economic transition. This is because of the damage that the use of non-renewables causes to the environment. Buildings have been identified as a main contributor to greenhouse gases (GHG). There is a need to improve energy efficiency in buildings both for environmental and economic reasons. Northern Cyprus uses fuel oil to produce 92% of its electricity (1.6 billion KWH/ year) which 75% of this electricity consumed in buildings and there is a growing concern over the environmental and economic effects of the excessive use of fossil fuel for electricity generation. In this context, energy efficiency in buildings has been emerged as the most important policy for decarbonized economic transition. This situation creates a need for a strong energy efficiency policy in buildings in Northern Cyprus. However, because of insufficient existing regulations and policies, poor energy efficiency in buildings are going to be unavoidable reality. This study, based on a thorough documentary research on existing legislation, and a literature survey on EU policies, critically evaluates local policy, regulations, practices and the barriers for the energy efficiency in buildings in Northern Cyprus within the context of sustainability. The aim is to identify the barriers for energy efficiency in buildings in Northern Cyprus and to propose innovative recommendations to solve the related problems.
