Chapter 24: Environmental Ethics

The Foundation of a Sustainable Society

http://www.worldmapper.org/

24.1 The Frontier Mentality Revisited

The frontier ethic has long historical roots and is deeply embedded in modern civilization.

It is a notion of:

unlimited resources for exclusive human use humans being apart from nature, succeeding by dominating it

It influences profoundly the way we meet our needs, and how we view and solve environmental problems of great urgency.

24.2 Sustainable Ethics:Making the Transition

The frontier ethic may be replaced by a more sustainable view as evidence of global decline and its wide-ranging effects continues to mount.

© Photodisc/Getty Images

Leopold’s Land Ethic:Planting the Seed

Aldo Leopold described a land ethic that called on people to:

view themselves as a part of the environment discard the notion of humans as conquerors of

nature

A New View to Meet Today’s Challenges: Sustainable Ethics

Sustainable ethics sees the world as a finite supply of resources shared by all organisms.

It views people as a part of nature.

It maintains that they will succeed best by fitting human systems within the limits and capacities of natural systems.

This ethical system may inspire restraint and ecological design.

Toward a Humane, Sustainable Future

Worldwide adoption of sustainable ethics is necessary to change the way we view the Earth and one another.

FIGURE 03a:Green building at Oberlin College

Courtesy of Oberlin College

24.3 Developing and Implementing Sustainable Ethics

Many avenues for changing outmoded ethical systems are available to us.

Promoting Models of Sustainability

Publicizing models of sustainable action offers inspiration and practical examples of what individuals, businesses, and governments can do to build a sustainable future.

Education

All levels of education can be enlisted in the effort to foster an understanding of ethics and actions that will contribute to a sustainable future.

Religious organizations are an established forum for education whose efforts could be partially dedicated to the exploration of sustainable ethics and lifestyles.

Declarations of Sustainable Ethics and Policy

Official declarations by states, nations, and groups of nations can help promote widespread adoption of sustainable ethics and actions.

The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development is an international organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development.

A Role for Everyone

Participation by all sectors of society is essential to building a sustainable society.

© John M. Walsh, The Morning Journal/AP Photos

FIGURE 03b: Installing photovoltaic panels on a roof

Faith in Technological Fixes

The belief that technology can solve all of the world’s problems hinders:

development of a sustainableethic

implementation of simple,cost-effective, sustainablepractices

FIGURE 4: Tutt Science Center at Colorado College

Courtesy of Colorado College

The Self-Centered View

Efforts to foster individual action and responsibility are hindered by:

concern for the self feelings of insignificance cash conscience blame shifting

FIGURE 5: Empowerment decreases apathy and despair

24.5 Sustainable Ethics:How Useful Are They?

Values affect the way we act.

To some people, the value of things is based on their usefulness.

Sustainable ethics may be one of the most useful sets of values because it serves people, the environment, and the economy much better than shortsighted, outmoded systems of belief.