RightsCon Toronto 2018

The use of technology in the weather and climate sphere prompts challenges to the protection of human rights in ways that are not obvious. If law, policy and governance and its role in standardization should have an emancipatory potential, then it would stem from its ability to account for and safeguard rights and equitable concerns, in the face of challenges that result from the integration of emerging technologies. In the context of satellite technologies, and Distributed Ledger Technologies, panelists discuss how we think about the relationship between innovations and techniques to address changing weather and climate in the context of social conditions and the need for a better understanding of the world around us. But what exactly needs to be safeguarded while solutions are rolled out? Could it be that safeguarding rights would be individuals having the courage to secure the role of setting the standards/rules/smart contracts in order to preempt the powerful from having total control of future innovations and outcomes? What is the role of transparency as a safeguard, and technology frameworks that not only support incentive systems but give individuals the perception that they are in control of the processes happening around them, and decisions being made in the use of technology also reflect the values, beliefs and expectations of marginalized populations? A pure focus on individuals however may be incomplete, as addressing the systemic issues of weak central institutions that do not adequately consider the challenges faced by society is also an important priority.