Ecological Growth, Environmental Ethics, and Sustainable Development

Vocabulary flashcards covering technological growth, resource depletion, environmental ethics, sustainable development, and ethical theories in engineering.

Resource depletion

The consumption of a resource faster than it can be replenished.

Rapid population increase

A primary cause for the depletion of natural resources; for instance, India’s population has crossed $103$ crores ($1.03$ billion).

DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)

A pesticide found at an average of $7\,\text{ppm}$ in the human body, which has deleterious effects on the heart and liver and may cause cancer.

Renewable natural resources

Resources like trees, soil, and animals that can be replenished and do not change the ecological balance.

Non-renewable natural resources

Resources such as minerals, oils, coal, and natural gases that are exhausted forever once they are used up.

OPEC

The International Organisation of Petrol Exporting Countries, which produces more than $50\%$ of the world’s oil.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants transform $CO_2$ from the air, water, and soil nutrients into food substances like starch and sugars using solar energy.

Deforestation

The cutting down of trees and clearing of forests, which can result in soil erosion occurring ten times more rapidly than usual.

Hydrological cycle

The natural water cycle in which forests act as a soaking device, retaining about $90\%$ of rainfall in humus or plant tissue.

Shifting cultivation

A practice where farmers destroy forest land for agriculture and move to new areas once the soil is exhausted.

Environmental ethics

A branch of ethical thought focusing on the relationship between humans and their natural environment, recognizing their interdependence and intrinsic value.

Libertarian Extension

A type of environmental ethics focusing on an individual’s right to use the environment and resources without imposing their values on others.

Ecological Extension

A type of environmental ethics emphasizing the preservation of the natural environment to maintain the balance and health of the ecosystem.

Conservation Ethics

A type of environmental ethics focusing on preserving natural resources for future generations by ensuring they are not depleted or damaged beyond repair.

Precautionary principle

An ethical principle suggesting that precautions should be taken against environmental harm even when scientific evidence is inconclusive.

Eco-friendly technology

Also known as clean tech or green tech; technology designed to preserve the environment through energy efficiency and reduction of harmful waste.

Shepherd's Flat wind project

A project in Oregon involving a investment by Google of $100$ million dollars, utilizing direct-drive turbines supplied by GE to power $235,000$ homes.

Mushroom-based packaging

A sustainable cushioning strategy used by Dell created from agricultural waste and mushroom spawn, making it biodegradable.

Sustainable development

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

Environmental crisis

A situation where the environment fails to perform its vital function of life sustenance, often due to resource extraction exceeding generation rates.

Technology transfer

The process of sharing or transferring technology and knowledge from one organization to another for commercial or societal use.

Technology assessment

The process of evaluating the potential risks and benefits of new technologies, including social, economic, and ethical implications, before they are adopted.

Impact analysis

A systematic approach to evaluating the potential effects of a proposed change or action on various aspects of a system, organization, or community.

Human-centered technology

Design and development of technology with a primary focus on meeting the needs, preferences, and usability of its users.

NSPE Code of Ethics

Guidelines for engineers stating they shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public and the protection of the environment.

Integrated personality

An individual in whom various psycho-physical traits like needs, interests, attitude, and temperament work in a harmonious and effective manner.

Virtue ethics

An ethical theory focusing on the development of virtuous character traits as the foundation for behavior rather than rules or consequences.

Eudaimonia

A term in virtue ethics referring to human flourishing or living a fulfilled and meaningful life.

Ethics of duty (Deontological ethics)

An ethical approach focusing on universal moral rules and inherent obligations, such as Kant's categorical imperative.

Categorical imperative

A concept by Immanuel Kant suggesting that one should act in a way that their actions could be universally applied as a moral law.

Ethics of responsibility (Consequentialist ethics)

An ethical approach that evaluates the morality of actions based on their actual or predicted consequences or outcomes.

Utilitarianism

A consequentialist theory suggesting that the morally right action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or utility for the greatest number of people.

Absorptive capacity

The environment's ability to absorb waste; an environmental crisis occurs when waste generation exceeds this capacity.