Ethical Conundrums Concerning Environmental Sustainability

 Benjamin S. Mercado Jr.

Divine Word College of Laoag

Abstract

The area of environmental philosophy known as "environmental ethics" examines the moral relationship between people and the environment. It includes a developing body of applied ethics that is crucial for assisting individuals, organizations, and governments in choosing the principles that will direct their way of life, their course of action, and their position on a variety of environmental issues. This is one of the ethical frameworks that allow us to make choices that benefit the environment. It is crucial to comprehend how environmental ethics can be practised at work and eventually ingrained into daily life. The objective is to achieve a sustainable environment by increasing awareness of the risks posed by rising pollution levels and climate change. Also, to ensure that human actions do not further harm the natural world, environmental ethics are studied. This is essential if we want future generations to enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer, including a happy, prosperous life in harmony with the environment. Every single one of us has a responsibility to act now to save the earth for future generations 

Keywords: environment, ethics, sustainability, issues, earth

Introduction

 

The term "environment" refers to everything that surrounds us, both natural and man-made. When we think of "environmental ethics," we usually think of the non-human natural environment. "Environmental ethics" refers to human attitudes and values toward nature that influence individual behaviour and government policy.

Environmental ethics is the study of normative concerns and principles about human interactions with the environment, as well as their context and outcomes, and how these interactions should be handled in light of ecological difficulties. It includes a significant area of applied ethics that is essential for guiding agents like people, businesses, and governments in forming the values that influence their way of life, their course of action, and their policies regarding the full spectrum of environmental issues.

One central tenet of environmental ethics is that humans should protect the environment for future generations, as well as to respect and honour the human-nature relationship. This means that people must take precautions to ensure that they do not harm the environment in any way. People must work to conserve and protect natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations. This is especially important given the world's growing population. If people do not act now, future generations will be left to deal with the consequences of human actions on our planet. Another crucial ethical principle is that humans are Earth's stewards. This means that people are accountable for environmental protection.

Business ethics education included a study of environmental ethics. This is done to make commercial organizations more conscious of how their actions affect both people and the environment. Business exists to serve people as well as make a profit. Any business decision should always take into account its ethical implications for the surrounding environment and community.

If environmental ethics are strictly followed and produce good results, the environment will be able to sustain itself and provide a good life for future generations. The United Nations (UN) defines sustainability as "meeting current needs without jeopardizing future generations' ability to meet their own." Environmental ethics determine the state of environmental sustainability. It depends on whether human attitudes toward nature are positive or negative. There is no question regarding the need for sustainability. In “The Concept of Environmental Sustainability,” Robert Goodland substantiates a history documenting this need, presenting proponents ranging from Mill and Malthus to Meadows and Brundtland et al., and puts forth a definition of “environmental sustainability as the maintenance of natural capital” and as a concept apart from, but connected to, both social sustainability and economic sustainability. These arguments are not repeated here but rather accepted as valid, supported, and used as a basis from which to proceed to further develop this concept.  (Morelli, 2021)

Environmental sustainability is a hotly contested topic, and people must take an ethical approach to it. To create a sustainable environment, this paper aims to raise awareness of the dangers posed by escalating pollution levels and climate change. Additionally, to educate people about various environmental ethics, their effects, and solutions.

The following are some ethical issues that need to be addressed to have a sustainable environment.

Patterns of resource consumption and the need for equitable utilization

How should we balance the environmental impact of manufacturing versus distribution? Environmental ethics is concerned with issues concerning how we use and distribute resources. Can individuals justifiably use resources so differently that one individual uses resources many times more lavishly than another who barely has enough to survive? A just world must have more equitable resource sharing than we currently have. We are concerned about the equitable distribution of resources at the global, national, and local levels. There are rich and poor countries that must be addressed. Every country has both rich and poor communities. This unequal distribution of wealth and access to land and its resources is a major source of concern for the environment. The basis between the people and the common property resources is an equitable sharing of resources. We will need to learn a lot from our traditional cultures in this regard. (Swain, 2020). The gap between haves and have-nots is growing. The use of resources varies between individuals, communities, and countries. The well-to-do, educated urban dweller consumes far more resources and energy than the traditional rural person. This unequal distribution of wealth and access to land and its resources is a major concern for the environment. Sustainable development for urban, rural, and wilderness communities is based on equitable resource sharing.

Gender equity is essential.

Another ethical concern is the need for gender equity. If gender equality is the aim, gender equity is the means to that goal. Gender equality "does not imply that men and women will become the same, but rather that men's and women's rights, responsibilities, and opportunities will not be determined by whether they are born male or female." Gender equity refers to the equitable treatment of men and women based on their respective needs, which may include equal treatment or treatment that differs but is considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations, and opportunities.

According to the Gender and Development Network (GADN), gender inequalities and barriers prevent women from participating in environmental debate and action at all levels. Along with unequal access to resources, this limits women's ability to adapt to climate change and respond to events such as drought, soil degradation, and deforestation. It also results in gender-blind, ineffective environmental policies.

Gender and environmental considerations are critical for enabling communities to achieve resilience and adapt to and recover from environmental challenges. Women are powerful change agents who can play an important role in protecting the resources on which they and all of us rely.

Keeping resources safe for future generations

Preserving resources for future generations is one environmental ethic that we fail to follow. This ethical issue must be considered when we use resources in an unsustainable manner. If we overuse and misuse resources and energy from fossil fuels, future generations will struggle to survive. Environmental protection is critical to reducing the destruction of ecosystems caused by a variety of anthropogenic activities. Humans have a moral obligation to protect the environment from pollution and other activities that contribute to environmental degradation. It is part of human obligations to protect their natural habitat. Failure to do this concerns the sustainability of the earth and also the lives of future generations. According to National Ocean Service, these are ten things to do to preserve resources. (a) Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Reduce waste. Follow the three "R's" to save natural resources and landfill space; (b) Volunteer. Participate in community cleanups by volunteering; (c) Educate. Help others understand the importance and value of natural resources; (d) be water-wise. The less water used, the less wastewater and runoff will ultimately end up in the ocean; (e) Choose sustainably. Learn how to make smart choices; (f) Shop carefully. Bring a reusable shopping bag and purchase fewer plastic items; (g) Use light bulbs with a long life. Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by using energy-efficient light bulbs; (h) Plant a tree. Air and food are produced by trees. They aid in energy conservation, air purification, and halting climate change; (i) No chemicals should be put into our waterways. Pick non-toxic chemicals for your home and workplace; and (j) Less drive, bike more.

Environmental sustainability is acting in a way that preserves the environment while not endangering the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Environmental sustainability is a feasible objective if we band together as people and companies right away. A few examples of environmental sustainability that can be put into practice right now include conserving renewable resources by promoting sustainable farming, planting home gardens to grow your food and buying local products, buying carbon offsets to support reforestation and other regenerative projects, avoiding the use of fossil fuels by switching to renewable energy sources, and reducing pollution by composting and supporting other environmentally friendly practices. 

Conclusion

The idea of environmental ethics offers more than just the chance for passionate discussion on the merits of sustainable development. It has had a significant impact on the development of viewpoints and ideas that are new to global governance and that aim to express the true beliefs and values that should, in an ideal world, guide decision-making for the benefit of people and the rest of the living world. 

Concern for the carrying capacity of natural systems and the social issues that humanity faces are intertwined with sustainable development. As we have lost the significance of sustainable living in modern society, we have also somehow lost the deeper metaphysical dimension of sustainability. Sustainable living is a way of life that aims to minimize how much a person or society uses their resources as well as the natural resources of the planet. The goal of those who live sustainably is to live in a way that respects the Earth's natural cycles and ecology maintains natural balance and honours humanity's symbolic connection to it.

The health and well-being of future generations will be severely jeopardized if decisive action is not taken today to achieve environmental sustainability. As intensive farming affects the fertility of the land and the capacity of the water supply, the food supply will become unstable. The effects of climate change will be amplified by global warming brought on by greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, resulting in more extreme weather, floods, droughts, and changes in growing seasons that will upend society. Our quality of life, as well as the ability of local communities and the larger society to thrive, will be significantly hampered by pollution of the land, air, and water. Environmental sustainability, in other words, is essential to both our survival and that of the planet.    

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