L2 Environmental ethics ( ES )

flash cards for environmental science

what is ethics ?

Ethics is a set of principles for an individual, a corporation, or a society to define what is right or wrong.

what is environmental ethics ?

Environmental ethics is the branch of philosophy that examines how humans should interact with the environment and what moral responsibilities we have toward nature.

why is there conflicting Ethical Positions ?

Because People often have many ethical values, and sometimes these values conflict with each other. Even if someone strongly believes in protecting nature, helping people, or supporting development, they may find that one ethical commitment goes against another, making decisions difficult.

Describe three types of philosophical approaches to environmental ethics. 

• Anthropocentrism (Human-centered)

  • Belief that humans are the most important and nature is valuable mainly because it benefits humans.

• Ecocentrism (Nature-centered)

  • Belief that ecosystems, animals, and plants have value independent of humans and should be protected.

• Biocentrism (Life-centered)

  • Belief that all living things (animals, plants, humans) have intrinsic value, and humans have a moral responsibility to protect them.

Example of ethical conflict between people and the environment

Sometimes, what is good for humans conflicts with what is good for the environment.
Example: Building a new factory provides jobs (good for people) but destroys forests and harms wildlife (bad for the environment).

Describe three “Environmental Attitudes”

1. Development

   • Focuses on using natural resources to improve human life and economic growth.

2. Preservation

   • Focuses on protecting nature from human interference.

3. Conservation

   • Focuses on sustainable use of resources, balancing human needs and environmental protection.

Key to Sustainable Development: Conservation, because it aims to meet current needs without harming future resources.

Define “Sustainable Development”

Sustainable development is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, balancing economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection.

What is “Environmental Justice”?

Why is it part of the environmental movement?

Environmental justice is the idea that all people, regardless of race, income, or background, have the right to a healthy environment.

It is part of the environmental movement because poor or marginalized communities are often the most affected by pollution, climate change, and resource exploitation.

What is “Greenwashing”?

Greenwashing is when a company pretends to be environmentally friendly in its marketing, but its actions do not actually protect the environment.

Define “Ecological Footprint”

An ecological footprint measures the impact of human activities on the environment, showing how much land and resources are required to support a person or population.