Sustainable Development

• Definition: Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations.

• Key Concepts:

  • Needs: Essential needs of the world's poor.

  • Limitations: Constraints imposed by technology and social organization on environmental sustainability.

Principles of Sustainability

1. Environmental Integrity

   • Maintaining the state of the environment.

2. Economic Efficiency

   • Prudent decision-making to minimize waste.

3. Equity

   • Conservation of resources for future generations.

Environmental Ethics

• Definition: Philosophy studying the moral relationship between humans and the environment.

• Value:

  • Intrinsic Value: Worth in itself.

  • Instrumental Value: Means to an end.

Views on Moral Consideration

1. Anthropocentrism

   • Only humans have intrinsic value.

2. Panthocentrism

   • Intrinsic value extended to higher animals.

3. Biocentrism

   • Plants and other living beings have moral consideration.

4. Ecocentrism

   • Ecosystems considered as a whole with intrinsic value.

Theories of Radical Ecological Philosophy

1. Deep Ecology

   • All living things have equal intrinsic value regardless of utility.

   • Founder: Arne Naess

2. Social Ecology

   • Opposed to hierarchical structures impeding individual nature.

   • Proponent: Murray Bookchin

3. Ecofeminism

   • Links oppression of women with environmental degradation.

   • Key Figures: Mary Wollstonecraft, Ynestra King

Environmental Challenges

1. Air Pollution and Climate Change.

2. Deforestation.

3. Soil Degradation.

4. Water Scarcity.

5. Overpopulation.

6. Species Extinction.

7. Waste Disposal.