By: JOANNA
GRACIA D. TUGAS
Divine Word
College of Laoag
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need,
but not every man’s greed.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
Abstract:
Humans
have been exploiting nature for a long time now. This is most true for business
industries. Environmental problems are created from their operations. How they
value the environment influences how they make their decisions regarding it.
However, our Creator wants and expects us to protect nature as it was also
created a part of our world, that humans and nature are interconnected. No one
could survive without the other. It is the moral obligation of businesses to
protect, restore, or at least refrain from damaging the natural environment, especially
because resources for business operations come from nature.
Keywords: Moral obligation, environment, value system
Introduction:
We,
humans, consider ourselves to be the most superior beings for we are capable of
thinking and reason. We are the main constituents of the environment. And because
of our greed, we exploit nature. It is a fact that all life forms on Earth have
the right to live. They have the right to getting a fair share of the resources
and lead a safe life. By destroying the environment, we are denying this right
to the other co-inhabitants.
All
businesses use resources from nature. For a business venture to exist and grow,
it has to continually consume these resources. However, business is not just
for profit but for service to humanity. A business entity should have an
environmentally conscious mindset to recognize the value of the environment and
view it as something they are obligated to respect and safeguard. They have to
be aware of the effects of their activities, and decisions should always
consider the consequence to the environment and the community wherein it
operates.
Is it necessary for entrepreneurs to recognize such responsibility toward the environment? What are the moral obligations of a business toward it?
Environmental Value System
There
are environmental issues that business owners deal with, issues like the
consumption of natural resources, destruction of forests, environmental
pollution, and harm to animals. How they would think and feel about these
environmental issues and how to deal with them are based largely on Environmental
Value Systems. An Environmental Value System is a standard that shapes the way
an individual or group of people, perceives and evaluates environmental
issues.
Values
are relatively stable principles that help us make decisions when our preferences
conflict and thus convey some sense in what we consider good (Dietz, Fitzgerald
& Shwom 2005)
How a person puts value on the environment determines what he thinks is his moral duty to it. Knowing the value system of a decision-maker for a business makes us understand how it influences his choices concerning the environment.
Different Views of Environmentalism:
1.
Ecocentric – This perspective focuses on Nature
and Ecology. They believe that all organisms have the right to live. Emphasis
is put on self-restraint in human behavior and less materialism. An ecocentric
approach assigns intrinsic value to all organisms, including but not limited to
humans. In this framework, the intrinsic worth is reflected more than humans
caring about non-humans and includes the recognition that non-humans have the
value that is independent of any human caring or satisfactions humans might
receive from them. A person with this kind of viewpoint would probably suggest
that we should use less electricity and not travel by plane.
2.
Anthropocentric– This viewpoint states that
humans can manage environmental issues. It gives preferences to human beings above
all other considerations. Emphasis is put on humans. Anthropocentrism assumes
that only human beings have intrinsic value and that the value of everything
else is instrumental to human goals. The value of other organisms stems from
their usefulness to humans. They would advise that the government should raise
taxes on fuel to discourage people to use it and create laws to encourage the
use of "clean" fuel and energy. The emphasis is on taking action so
that it doesn't harm humans in the future.
3.
Theocentric Viewpoint - Hoffman &
Sandelands (2005) argues that neither of the first two views adequately
reconciles us to nature. They offered an alternative, theocentric view of our
relationship to nature, founded upon Catholic Christianity that reconciles in God
our value for resources and nature, and establishes a divine order of man and
nature apart from human egoism and intentions. They state that Man and nature
are related to God. Sharing the same Father, they relate as siblings in love
and mutual respect. There are no grounds to suppose one includes or dominates
the other. Man does not lord over nature, and nature does not lord over man.
God lords over both.
The theocentric
view of man and nature in God puts our conduct in and toward the environment in
a new light. It means that everything we do in this world, every action we take
toward others and toward nature, finds its meaning and value in God. Just as we
are called to be ever mindful, ever considerate, and ever charitable towards
others, we are called to be likewise to nature. Human needs must be redefined
beyond the utility satisfaction of simply self-interested desires. They must be
seen instead in the light of God's intentions, intentions that include respect
for the nature He created for our benefit.
Man’s spiritual
challenge today is to apply both faith and reason to find ways to live in
harmony with nature. If contemporary environmental problems are to be solved,
then moral teaching must be a part of the effort to end environmentally
destructive behavior. There is the challenge to turn our minds, hearts, and
actions toward nature and respect the value God created in it. It is a
challenge we shall forever repeat. Given man’s ability to alter the environment
in globally catastrophic ways, we must protect nature for a reason greater than
our own- namely, that God wants and expects us to do so (Hoffman and Sandelands
2005).
Impact of Environmental Issues on Business
Our planet is overwhelmed by environmental issues that are exhausting our natural resources and putting a vast strain on our livelihoods. If left unchecked, many of these issues will impact businesses directly and indirectly. In many instances, they are already doing so. (Fuentes 2019)
Business
Impact
Pollution is one
of the world’s major environmental issues. The business impact due to
pollution expanses far and wide, with just one example pointing to how
pollution affects the health of people which then impacts medical costs and
loss of productivity. Heavily polluted areas have a difficult time hiring and
retaining workers. Waste disposal is another issue, with improper disposal
resulting in foul smells, leaking into water supplies, and air pollution.
Climate Change
Will Affect Everyone
Climate change
is a worldwide issue with serious effects including environmental, social,
economic, and political. Factors like coastal flooding can have a major impact
on businesses, leading to operational disruption and losses for organizations.
Climate change can also create a higher demand for energy as the temperatures
get warmer and there is a higher demand for air conditioning use. This means
higher costs to businesses. Higher energy demand also interprets into increased
use of natural resources like water and fossil fuels, which can then turn into
a lack of resources for companies to turn into products.
Climate change
also has negative effects on the agricultural sector, which directly impacts
the population in regards to food availability and safety. The impact of
environmental issues on water supplies can result in a decrease in productivity
in agriculture, and higher costs.
Mitigating
Risk
Environmental
issues that we face today make it clear that solving as many of these complex
issues as we can best serve all sectors. It will also entail the cooperation of
all sectors. Environmental issues affect every individual, community,
organization, and country. We must all become environmental agents to keep the
economy moving and thriving.
Environmental
Crisis
The
environmental factors that are affecting business will continue to affect
production and the economy. Such issues as major storms, loss of resources,
inflation, and scarcity of food and water – are creating serious damages.
However, solving these issues requires the cooperation of individual sectors.
It is apparent that the environmental crisis we are facing calls on all
business leaders to consider the environmental impact that their companies have
and also calls on business leaders to take action to ensure that they meet all
compliance needs and regulations.
Opportunity
Though the situation is difficult, environmental issues also present an
opportunity for businesses to step up and show their employees and markets
where they stand and what they are willing to do to mitigate the risks.
Employees, for example, perform better when they are healthy. Businesses,
however, should remain aware of current events and how they may affect their
employees. An example is if the employees of a company are working outside and
there are extremely high temperatures.
Environmental Action is Marketable
The demands of
consumers are another area that presents an opportunity concerning businesses
and environmental issues. Consumers are increasingly opting to align themselves
with companies that have a strong positive environmental mission. Business
leaders taking action to mitigate risks involved with environmental issues
and promoting sustainable practices will benefit the company. Marketing
campaigns are being used as a platform to inform the public of the efforts companies
are making to address environmental issues.
Environmental Action is Good for All, Especially Businesses
The sole
objective of business owners was to build a company that would produce income
and continuously increases profits. As environmental issues, their impact on
business and the world, and the risks to the future of all life have become
more prevalent across the globe. The effects are being seen and the need for
immediate action is now. Business owners have to examine how those choices
affect the environment and to make reforms where necessary, as all
modifications contribute to the greater good of our planet.
Benefits of Corporate Environmental Responsibility
Just because business is a highly competitive field
does not mean that a company has to be amoral. A company can still make money
while observing an ethical code of business operations. With social media
forming an increasingly vital role in shaping the reputation of a business, any a company that plans its course with a moral compass will boost its reputation,
building a loyal customer base in tune with its good objectives thereby
improving sales and profits.
Whole Foods' website states, "We believe that
companies, like individuals, must assume their share of responsibility as
tenants of Planet Earth. We actively support organic farming, the best method
for promoting sustainable agriculture and protecting farmworkers and the
environment. We also aim to protect the environment by supporting alternative
sources of energy and by recycling or composting our waste. We are actively
involved in our communities by supporting food banks, sponsoring neighborhood
events, and contributing at least 5% of total net profits to not-for-profit
organizations.” Suchecki. (2020)
Running
an environmentally conscious business helps you diminish your impact on the
environment and conserves natural resources. Your business can help the
environment in simple ways (Queensland Government 2020).
·
use
products that lessen your dependence on natural resources (e.g. rainwater tanks,
solar hot water systems)
·
use
products that are made from recycled material (e.g. office supplies made from
recycled plastic, furniture made from recycled rubber)
· look at all your business activities to see if you can do anything differently (e.g. reducing air travel by holding conference calls instead of the interstate meetings).
Making
your business eco-friendly not only benefits the environment but can also save
your money.
1.
Recycling
reduces your costs
Simple changes
to how you deal with paper can involve your staff in environmentally friendly
processes while saving you money:
a.
avoid
using materials needlessly
b.
lessen
your paper needs by asking staff to print double-sided
c.
reuse
by encouraging staff to use scrap paper for message-taking instead of purchasing
message pads
d. recycle by shredding excess paper - you could recycle this commercially or invite staff to take it home for their compost
2.
Good
practice can attract new customers
Promoting your environmentally friendly methods can set your business apart from your competitors and attract new customers who want to buy products and services from an environmentally friendly business. Focusing more on your environmental impacts can also help to attract and retain staff.
3.IImproves
sustainability
Reducing the
environmental impact of your business will improve the sustainability of your
business. If you are less dependent on natural resources than your competitors
and have ways to deal with rising costs due to climate change, your business
will have a greater chance of long-term success.
Conclusion
We only have one planet, our heart, and home. Businesses may contribute a lot for our convenience, but their moral duties to the environment and community subsist. Without the natural resources from the environment, nothing could be produced by these businesses and they stop operating. Simple ways could be followed to realize these responsibilities. The best viewpoint for businesses to advocate is The ecocentrism. This way, they’ll see God’s intentions that we respect the natural environment that He created for our benefit and respect the value He created in it. Only then could we live in harmony with it. It is what God wants and expects of us.
References:
Hoffman, A.J.& Sandelands, L. E. (2005). Getting Right with Nature: Anthropocentrism, Ecocentrism, and Theocentrism. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251378575_Getting_Right_with_Nature_Anthropocentrism_Ecocentrism_and_Theocentrism
Brennan, A. & Yeuk-Sze, L. (2020). Environmental Ethics. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2020 Edition) Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2020/entries/ethics-environmental
Dietz, Th., Fitzgerald, A., & Shwom,
R. (2005). Environmental Values.
Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228624754_Environmental_Values
Fuentes, M. (2019). Environmental
Issues, Their Impact on Business, and How to Mitigate to Turn Crisis into
Opportunity. Retrieved from
https://www.unitedworldtelecom.com/news/environmental-issues-their-impact-on-business/
Suchecki, P. M.J. (2020). Retrieved from
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/influence-morality-business-operations-66947.html
Small Business.ng. (2020). What Are
Business Ethics and Why Are They Important?. Retrieved from
https://smallbusiness.ng/what-are-business-ethics-and-why-are-they-important/
Charter College (n.d). Why Are Good
Ethics So Important to Businesses? 2020. Retrieved from https://www.chartercollege.edu/news-hub/why-are-good-ethics-so-important-businesses
Queensland Government. (2020). The
benefits of an environmentally friendly business. Retrieved from https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/environment/environment-business/benefits
Optimy Wiki. (2019). Corporate
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