HL.cA Environmental ethics Notes

Ethics

1. In environmental science, ethics plays a crucial role in shaping policies, decision-making, and conservation efforts.
2. Different ethical perspectives influence how societies interact with the environment and allocate resources.

Key Environmental Ethical Perspectives

Anthropocentrism (Human-Centered Ethics)

1. Views humans as the most important species.
2. Nature is valued only if it benefits humans.

Ecocentrism (Earth-Centered Ethics)

1. Values the intrinsic worth of nature, independent of human use.
2. Promotes ecosystem preservation over human exploitation.

Biocentrism (Life-Centered Ethics)

1. All living organisms have inherent value.
2. Ethical responsibility to minimize harm to all life forms.

Deep Ecology

1. Emphasizes harmony between humans and nature.
2. Calls for radical lifestyle changes to minimize ecological footprints.

Environmental Justice

1. Focuses on fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens.
2. Recognizes that marginalized communities often suffer disproportionately from pollution and climate change.

Ethical Dilemmas in Environmental Science

1. Climate Change Responsibility: Who should be held accountable for reducing emissions: developed countries (historical polluters) or developing nations (current rapid emitters)?
2. Conservation vs. Development: Should economic progress be prioritized over protecting endangered species and habitats?
3. Indigenous Rights and Land Use: Should governments and corporations have the right to exploit indigenous lands for resources?
4. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Are GMOs an ethical solution to food insecurity, or do they threaten biodiversity and health?

Environmental Ethics: An Overview

1. It emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, driven by growing environmental awareness and concerns about pollution, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss.
2. Traditional Western ethics primarily focused on human interactions but lacked frameworks to address the ethical status of non-human and non-living entities in nature.

Key Environmental Ethical Perspectives

Anthropocentrism (Human-Centered Ethics)

1. Views humans as the most important species.
2. Nature is valued only if it benefits humans.

Ecocentrism (Earth-Centered Ethics)

1. Values the intrinsic worth of nature, independent of human use.
2. Promotes ecosystem preservation over human exploitation.

Biocentrism (Life-Centered Ethics)

1. All living organisms have inherent value.
2. Ethical responsibility to minimize harm to all life forms.

Deep Ecology

1. Emphasizes harmony between humans and nature.
2. Calls for radical lifestyle changes to minimize ecological footprints.

Environmental Justice

1. Focuses on fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens.
2. Recognizes that marginalized communities often suffer disproportionately from pollution and climate change.

Ethical Issues in Environmental Science

1. Climate Change Responsibility: Should developed nations, responsible for historic emissions, bear more responsibility for mitigation?
2. Resource Exploitation vs. Conservation: Should economic growth be prioritized over protecting forests, oceans, and biodiversity?
3. Animal Rights vs. Human Needs: Should industries that harm animals (e.g., factory farming) be strictly regulated, even if they provide affordable food?
4. Sustainable Development: Can economic progress be achieved without depleting natural resources?

Ethical Frameworks in Environmental Decision-Making

1. Environmental ethics explores how humans should interact with nature and the moral obligations we have toward the environment.
2. Different ethical frameworks arise based on fundamental beliefs about the relationship between humans and nature, leading to conflicting ethical values in decision-making.

Key Ethical Frameworks in Environmental Ethics

Ecocentrism (Nature-Centered Ethics)

1. Views all living and non-living parts of the environment as having intrinsic value.
2. Humans are not superior but rather a part of the natural system.
3. Leads to strong conservation efforts, prioritizing ecosystem health over economic interests.

Stewardship Ethics

1. Humans are part of nature but have a special responsibility to care for and manage it sustainably.
2. Ethical decisions are made with a duty to future generations in mind.

Anthropocentrism (Human-Centered Ethics)

1. Nature is valued instrumentally (for its usefulness to humans).
2. Environmental decisions focus on maximizing human welfare.
3. Can range from weak anthropocentrism (including environmental protection for long-term human benefits) to strong anthropocentrism (prioritizing immediate economic gains over ecological concerns).

Technocentrism (Technology-Based Ethics)

1. Believes technological advancements can solve environmental problems.
2. Prioritizes human ingenuity and scientific progress over restrictive environmental regulations.

Conflicting Ethical Values in Decision-Making

Conservation vs. Economic Growth

1. Ecocentric View: Protecting forests and biodiversity is essential, even if it limits economic activities.
2. Anthropocentric/Technocentric View: Economic growth is crucial, deforestation can be justified if reforestation or technological fixes are available.

Climate Change Responsibility

1. Stewardship View: Nations should act responsibly to reduce emissions for future generations.
2. Anthropocentric View: Economic priorities may outweigh immediate climate action, especially in developing nations.

Biodiversity Protection vs. Human Development

1. Ecocentric View: All species have equal rights, and habitat destruction for human development is unethical.
2. Anthropocentric View: Nature should be utilized to benefit the greatest number of people.