An Exploration of Environmental Ethics

An Exploration of Environmental Ethics
Jeannette Villatoro
GSG0824E
Donna Falloon
June 13, 2008














An Exploration of Environmental Ethics

Environmental Ethics is a highly controversial topic that nonetheless affects our society greatly. Some would argue that environment issues have no place with ethics, and some would say that ethics has a substantial position in regards to our environment. However one sees this subject, it is important to explore the past, present and future of environmental ethical issues and with critical thinking uncover the impact it has on our world.

History

Environmental Ethics can reasonably be traced back to biblical times when trying to uncover the root of the relationship between man and nature. Judeo-Christian thought had a major impact in how people see the environment and the role we play as humans. God said to Adam and Eve, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over fish of the sea, and over fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:27-8). Because of this statement and its influence on religion, the majority attitude has been that man rules over nature and animals to do with as we wish. Eventually, the exploration into environmental ethics started to produce some interesting philosophies that pondered whether this issue had instrumental or intrinsic value (Brennan, 2008, pg. 1).

In 1968, a philosopher expanded on the concept of environmental ethics by expressing his opinion that “the growth of human population threatened the viability of planetary life-support systems” (Brennan, 2008, pg. 1). Furthermore, the new sights of our planet and its relation to space discovery brought about reactions to the reality that our earth was a unit in which we delicately are allocated to live, and it should be treated as a valuable and sensitive resource. Perhaps the most influential publication in regards to environmental ethics was A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold which investigated certain aspects of our environment and brought about the serious contemplations that should be examined (Necsoiu, 2002, pg. 1). Although the development of environmental ethics in this period of time was not yet philosophical, many environmentalists urged their views to be adopted by philosophers in an attempt to expose the concepts of environmental ethics.

Present

Where this beginning has led us is in a confusing period of extreme views and strong opposition of environmental ethics. This topic has bled into politics, economics, and many facets of our society. The subject of global warming, a relatively new concept, has been debated passionately in our culture. Global warming has to do with the aspect of climate changes in our environment. “Climate change refers to any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation, or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer)” (U.S. Environmental Protection, 2008, pg. 1). Political candidates use this topic to entice votes, and environmentalists push the issue on people worldwide. We have Earth Day dedicated to the support and preservation of our environment. This topic has even inspired moviemakers to release a blockbuster film in 2004 called The Day After Tomorrow, based on global warming and the extreme possibilities that could happen as a result. The influence from the entertainment and media industries is immense, thus resulting in another outbreak of concern from the movie’s depiction of coming events.

Some still believe that the earth is a resource that replenishes itself, and the allegations that we are destroying our environment are merely an attempt to scare the public. According to Rush Limbaugh, a nationally syndicated radio host and political commentator, “despite the hysterics of a few pseudo-scientists, there is no reason to believe in global warming” (Limbaugh, 2008, pg. 171). Others argue that we are depleting our natural resources and using the environment recklessly, which will eventually cause destruction. Chris Conklin, an environmental scientist, says “at the rate we're going, the survival of certain parts of the globe will soon come into question. Some of the world's leading experts in biodiversity are warning of a mass extinction of plant and animal species" (Powell, 2007, pg. 1). Whether those who believe there is no ethics pertaining to environment or that our environment deserves to have rights respected by ethical choices, it is clear that this is a major concern in society and one that cannot be ignored. And although there seems to be a huge divide between both viewpoints, there are still many variables that support different perspectives of this controversy. The determination of intrinsic or instrumental value of our environment affects how we choose to progress with this philosophy. If we are to concentrate on protecting the environment, is it because it will directly effect how human beings live in the future, or because the environment has its own rights separate from that of humans?

Future

If environmental ethics are warranted, and we indeed have dramatic changes that need to be made, it is evident that our society is in conflict with what should be done or if anything should for that matter. Our world could come to a screeching halt or go on as usual, unaffected by the ways we exploit its resources. Because we cannot know for sure, it is probably a wise decision to keep the public informed and try to be aware of our actions. If environmental crisis is a complete farce, it can still be argued that recycling and other earth friendly endeavors can only help the world we live in, nature and humans alike.

Even those that say environmentalists and activists are merely screaming that the sky is falling, many can still agree on one universal truth: the earth is precious and we should do what we can to nurture it as it has done for us. Our culture typically loves the outdoors and enjoys all of the manmade pleasures that became possible by nature’s resources. We love to hike, ski, have picnics in the park, climb mountains, kayak, and fish. The question in my opinion is do we use our natural resources more than we protect them? Give and take is a major ethical concept that one must ponder. It exists naturally in all aspects of life. It is wonderful to give back because receiving is so fundamentally important. Love cannot survive without give and take, nor can healthy lifestyles, or a professional career. By practicing give and take with our environment, we will undoubtedly enjoy our resources more if we do what we can to care for them.

I believe that it is imperative to continue to study the changes that occur with our planet, and try and predict dangers that may arise. It cannot be ignored that although these factors of climate changes and dangerous predictions of future theological conditions may not be directly related to human consumption, they do indeed exist. And it cannot be denied that we have all witnessed garbage in our oceans, devastating fires erupting in our forests from the hands of careless people, and many other disrespectful actions towards nature. By reflecting on the past of environmental ethics, we can understand the current state it holds today, and the possible futuristic outcomes that may arise. Whether the motivation is to care for nature because it deserves its own rights as an entity, or to protect it solely because it affects humans, it is clear that we should try to humor any notions that evolve to better the world we live in.


References

Necsoiu, M. (2002). Environmental Ethics. A Very Brief History of the Origins of
Environmental Ethics for the Novice. Retrieved June 13, 2008, from http://www.cep.unt.edu/novice.html.

Brennan, A. (2008). Environmental Ethics. Retrieved June 10, 2008, from
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-environmental/.

The Holy Bible, Red-Letter Text Edition. Nashville: Tennessee, 2003.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2008). U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency. Climate Change. Retrieved June 11, 2008, from http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basicinfo.html.

Powell, S. (2007). The Australian. How we’re destroying our habitat. Retrieved June 13,
2008, from http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22753067-30417,00.html.

Limbaugh, R. (1993). See I Told You So. New York: Pocket Books.