Environmental Ethics
Environment is the physical surrounding that we come across each and every time. With time, it has been abused and polluted such that it causes risk to health and living organisms where plants and humans are inclusive (Mackie, 1990). This has led to the formation of movements and philosophers who advocate for the protection of environment by laying out and teaching ethics to the general public. Ethics is a moral philosophy that guides human beings in differentiating between what is right and wrong, good and evil, virtue and vice, and justice. Ethics mostly deal with human desires and needs with the aim of achieving happiness and a conducive environment (Ferre& Hartel, 1994).
Environmental ethics in this case refers to part of environmental philosophy which concerns the relationship between humans and the natural environment. Environmental ethics has been advocated and used globally with the intention of conserving natural resources. According to Singer (2000), environmental ethics began in April 1970 when the first earth day was held and ever since, organizers and other environmental movements rallied and advocated for the awareness of environmental responsibility. Even today, environment day is celebrated annually on the same month of April, as a sign to create awareness and conservation of nature. Environmental ethics as a philosophy was developed in the 1970s due to the increased innovation and effects of industries, technology and economic expansion. Globalization and modernization led to the need for industries to increase production of goods thus, increase profits and serve a wider range of market. This led to increased usage of natural resources and depletion of land and tree (Stone, 1972).
It is with the help of scientists like Rachel Carson who helped create and spread awareness of ethics by publishing the book ‘silent spring’ in the year 1963, that had various articles published in the New Yorker magazine and advocated for the minimal use of chemical pesticides such as DDT, aldrin and deildrin are harmful to both public health and wildlife. This is evident in most commercial farming practices which over exploit the natural resources with the intention of maximizing crop yield and making exorbitant profits without caring for both public and environmental health. Another scientist was Paul Ehrlich who published the ‘The population Bomb’ in 1968, which explained of the dangers the human race is causing to the planet’s resources. Some of these harmful effects are degradation of resources, reduction and death of wildlife, deterioration of the ecosystems, sudden and unpredictable climatic changes. Others, such as mining, hamper the ecology of certain areas to an extent that neither wildlife nor plants can live or grow respectively. Slash and burn methods are also used by many which also lead to degradation of resources and pollution of the atmosphere which is breaking the ozone layer (Ferre & Hartel, 1994).
Since humans are the only living creatures who can reason out and apply the ethics, then its is their duty to take care and protect the environment failure to which will be putting their health at risk due to the pollution, they will have poor standards of living due to the depletion of the resources, homes put at risk due to climate changes and eradication of wildlife which brings about beauty to our nature. Humans have to constrain their actions for the sake of nature and prevent the extinction, thus, making it their obligation to look after the environment an act known as anthropocentric which means human centeredness. It simply refers to moral standing solely to human beings. Moral standing has been encouraged due to future generations because of the fact that problems such as climate change and resources degradation caused due to lack of ethics are more likely to adversely affect future generations more than the present ones. This has led to some philosophers initiating their own environmental ethics on obligations to secure the future generations (Brown, 2001).
Due to lack of environmental ethics many issues have risen some which begun long time ago, while others are currently happening and others will occur in future. Current environmental issues are caused by the actions of present human beings and can be tackled in many forms. Global warming is the greatest threat to living creatures since it signifies the increase in atmospheric temperature near earth’s surface. This is mainly caused by rise in carbon dioxide which worsens the status of the atmosphere’s heat. The earth’s heat is trapped in the atmosphere where it accumulates and cannot penetrate the ozone layer a process known as greenhouse effect (Brown, 2001). The increased temperature in the atmosphere is the cause of change in climate causing undesirable and unexpected outcomes. This effect makes survival of living of plants and animals difficult and without any other alternative but to die. Another effect is the change in rainfall patterns which causes some seasons to be drier than others and some to be more wet causing floods which destroy buildings and cause earthquakes. The ozone layer gets gradually depleted due to the Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs which are used by many firms in form of aerosol sprays and air conditioners. The ozone layer is among the many layers in the stratosphere. When these CFCs are used and mixed with the air, they accumulate and substitute the ozone layer leading to its depletion. Humans, animals and plants are affected by the depletion of the ozone in that the ozone layer is used to prevent the ultra-violet or UV rays from coming into direct contact with them (Ferre & Hartel, 1994).
Environmental pollution is another form that is evidenced in various common forms such as air, water and sound pollution which are increasing at a very high rate. Air pollution occurs when the harmful substances like CFCs, carbon-monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur-dioxide are emitted in the air and have harmful effects to living plants and animals which inhale the toxins and are affected. Water pollution occurs when unwanted wastes are dumped into the water making it unhygienic and unusable. This may even lead to contamination of soil as industries may dump their unwanted wastes and chemicals into rivers and oceans which are directed to various farms. Noise pollution is also an issue as it leads to deafening of ears and other uncomfortable effects. Loss of natural resources is evidenced by the increased population which leads to increased human activities which affect the ecosystem and degrade the resources. Such activities include over fishing which have led to extinction of some breeds, deforestation which leads to cutting down of trees in order to meet the demand for timber, paper and land for settlement. Mining has led to destruction of land and the process of digging holes kills those animals and plants or destroys their home and finally burning of fossil fuels has led to depletion of natural resources. Future environmental issues are like the effects of war which destroy and pollute the environment. Others are like radiation rays which affect both living things and plants causing various deadly diseases like cancer and tumors.
Environmental ethics is of great significance in that it assists one to decide whether to prioritize on sustainable biosphere or sustainable development (Mackie, 1990). Many prefer sustainable development in order to work within environmental limits. It will help in controlling global warming which will reduce unforeseen complexities and cross cultural issues. Extinction of humans, animals and plants will be regulated. Stone (1972) projected that in order to preserve nature as it was wildlife and trees should be equally considered in law as corporations. He argued this in reference to the development of the Mineral King Valley where the Disney wanted to construct a resort complex by building a highway through Sequoia National Park but the motion was challenged by Sierra Club that the valley should not be interfered and should remain in its original state. Many Christians also support the environmental ethics in that they believe that God created the universe and placed human to its care. Therefore, it is the human’s duty to look after the trees and wildlife as commanded by God in Mathew 25 and Deuteronomy 22 of the Holy Bible.
In conclusion, environmental ethics should be popularized in such a way that all humans are aware of the need to protect and look after nature without considering their own selfish desires. Laws should be enacted and strictly adhered to with those destroying and polluting the environment to face the wrath of the law. Most organizations and institutions should be encouraged to teach and spread the importance and implementation of environmental ethics. This will aid in the reduction and depletion of natural resources for future generations and reduce the risk of acquiring diseases. It is with the help of trees that we get fresh air and rain and without them it would be a catastrophe, world without food, water and fresh air.
References
Mackie, J. L. (1990). Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong. London: Penguin. Print.
Singer, P. (2000). Writings on an ethical life, London: Harper Collins Publishers. Print.
Brown, Lester R. (2001). Eco-Economy: Building an Economy for the Earth. New York: W.W. Norton. Print.
Brulle, R. J. (2000). Agency, Democracy, and Nature: The U.S. Environmental Movement from a Critical Theory Perspective. Cambridge: MIT Press. Print.
Ferre, F., & Hartel, P. (1994). Ethics and Environmental Policy: Theory Meets Practice. Athens: University of Georgia Press. Print.
Stone, C. D., (1972). Should Trees Have Standing? Los Angeles: Kaufmann. Print.
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