21 Environmental Ethics and Justice Overview

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in environmental ethics, sustainability, and justice.

Aim Ethics

An ethical approach that focuses solely on the outcome to determine right or wrong.

Rule Ethics

An ethical approach that emphasizes the rules and methods used to determine right or wrong.

Ecological Footprint

A measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems, representing the amount of biologically productive land and water needed to produce the resources consumed.

Environmental Ethics

A branch of ethics that studies the moral relationship between humans and the environment.

Ethical Decisions

Choices made based on considerations of right and wrong in relation to environmental impact.

Interconnectedness of Beings

The concept that all forms of life are linked and impact each other within the ecosystem.

Anthropocentric Ethics

An ethical viewpoint that places humans at the center of environmental concerns.

Biocentric Ethics

An ethical perspective that values all living things and considers their rights and well-being.

Ecocentric Ethics

An ethical perspective that prioritizes the value of ecosystems and all aspects of the environment equally.

Frontier Ethic

The belief that natural resources are unlimited and can always be replaced or substituted.

Land Ethic

An ethical framework that respects all members of the ecological community, regardless of their utility to humans.

Sustainable Ethic

An ethical approach that views human systems as part of nature and emphasizes resource restraint and ecological design.

Ecosystem Services

Natural processes that benefit humans, such as pollination, clean water supply, and climate regulation.

Environmental Justice

The principle that no community should bear an unfair share of environmental burdens, and benefits must be shared equitably.

Environmental Equity

The fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens across all people, regardless of socioeconomic status.

Climate Change Vulnerability

The susceptibility of certain communities to the impacts of climate change due to various socio-economic factors.

Environmental Racism

Policies or practices that disproportionately affect people of color and low-income communities in environmental matters.

Redlining

A discriminatory practice that systematically denies services or resources to residents of specific neighborhoods based on race or ethnicity.

Toxic Release Sites

Locations where hazardous substances are released into the environment, often affecting nearby communities.

Flint Water Crisis

A public health crisis in Flint, Michigan, caused by lead contamination in the city’s water supply, disproportionately affecting the community's health.

Three Branches of Environmental Ethics

The categories of Anthropocentric, Biocentric, and Ecocentric ethics that guide environmental moral discussions.

Natural Beings

Living organisms and natural elements within the environment that are crucial for ethical considerations.

Future Consequences

The ethical consideration of how current actions will affect future generations and ecosystems.

Social and Economic Systems

Interrelated structures that encompass societal and financial dynamics impacting environmental justice.

Inter-generational Outlook

An ethical perspective that considers the rights and needs of future generations alongside present generations.

Environmental Burdens

Negative impacts on communities resulting from environmental hazards, often linked to socioeconomic status.

Environmental Benefits

Positive outcomes derived from ecosystem services and environmental health for communities.

Affirmative Action

Policies intended to improve opportunities for historically marginalized groups, relevant in discussions of equity.

Systemic Barriers

Obstacles rooted in social, economic, and political systems that prevent certain groups from achieving equality.

Emerging Environmental Ethics

New frameworks that address contemporary ecological challenges and advocate for sustainable practices.

Sustainable Development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Environmental Activism

Efforts aimed at promoting ecological conservation and social justice, often through grassroots movements.

Environmental Legislation

Laws and regulations aimed at protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices.

Climate Justice

A concept that addresses the ethical dimensions of climate change, emphasizing social equity in climate action.

Community Engagement in Environmental Issues

Involvement of local communities in decision-making processes related to environmental management and justice.

Ecological Design

An approach to design that seeks to minimize environmental impact and maximize sustainability.

Community Resilience to Environmental Change

The ability of a community to adapt to changing environmental conditions while maintaining its core functions.