ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

WHAT IS ETHICS ?
Ethics is a branch of philosophy that tries to define what is fundamentally right and wrong, regardless of cultural differences

WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS?

Issues related to the Rights of Individuals also the Rights of Other Living Beings. Study of the ethical basis of environment or discussion of the ethical basis of environmental protection. Relation between man and environment. Human responsibilities toward the natural world. Help people become aware of these responsibilities and to act responsibly when they do things that impact the natural world.

ORIGIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

o First Earth Day on
April 22 1970, United States. It was the idea of Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson, who, like many others, was terribly concerned about the deteriorating state of the environment.

 1949 publication of a book, A Sand County Almanac by American naturalist Aldo Leopold (18871948)

STUDY OF ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

Does Earth exist entirely for humans? What are we responsible and accountable for as individuals ? What are the rights of nonhuman species and do we have any obligations to them ?

 Do we have a duty to be concerned with future generations? What are the environment damage produced by the present generation? What values must be give up to slow such damage?

 Should we continue to clear cut forests for the sake of human consumption?

 Should we continue to propagate ?

 Should we continue to make gasoline powered vehicles?

 To study environment ethics means, to put forth these and like questions and to seek answers for them. To take decisions based on these answers with regard to betterment of environment.

NEED TO STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

To develop love for nature. To value, appreciate and treasure nature. Create ethos to support sustainable lifestyle. Bring about strong pro-environmental action. E.g. if policy makers study environmental ethics then they can make policies accordingly.

NEED FOR ENGINEERS TO STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

What do engineers do? Engineers use scientific, mathematical and technical knowledge to design and implement materials, structures, machines, devices, systems and processes that safely realize a desired objective or invention.

 e.g. e-waste disposal, a major concern today.

Current need of environment. Changes in design implementation. Minimum adverse effect. Environment friendly design.

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS ISSUES AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

DEFORESTATION
Deforestation is clearing Earth's forests on a massive scale. Make way for agriculture, grazing lands, housing, industry, construction activities. to obtain forest products like paper, timber etc. Activities related to growth of economy.

EFFECTS OF DEFORESTATION
o Loss of habitat for millions of species causing extinction. o Deforestation drives climate change. o Fewer forests means larger amounts of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere and increased speed and severity of global warming. o Trees purify air by giving out oxygen. Deforestation stops this.

SOLUTIONS
Careful management of forest resources by eliminating clear-cutting to make sure that forest environments remain intact.

 Planting of enough young trees to replace the older ones felled. E.g. Chipko movement to stop deforestation.

RESOURCE CONSUMPTION PATTERNS, WRONGFUL USE OF RESOURCES AND THE NEED FOR EQUITABLE UTILIZATION
Utilization and distribution of resources.

 Just distribution among people, rich or poor, on a local, national or global level.

 Excessive consumption patterns of rich. E.g. Hunting as a royal sport by kings and royal families. Resource hoarding by rich nations. E.g.. Equitable use of forest resource

SOLUTIONS
Equitable distribution. Curb on improper resource use. Rational use of resources. Natures resources are a right of every individual and living organism. Natural reserves. Not to be exploited by anyone.