Does environmental ethics exist?

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Author. Rita Silva, Environmental Engineer, November 16, 2021.

Ethics is the branch of philosophy that studies human behavior, right and wrong, morality, good living, virtue, happiness and duty; the environment is the set of external physical, chemical and biological components with which living beings interact; and environmental ethics is the branch of philosophy that studies the relationship between man and the environment, and is especially concerned with regulating that the actions of human beings do not threaten the development and evolution of nature.

According to history, after the events that occurred in the Second World War due to high pollution, the international community reflected for the first time on the protection and care of the environment, in this context it emerged in the academic area of environmental ethics as response to the work of scientists such as Rachel Carson ; who through his book entitled Silent Spring ( 1962 ) denounces the environmental effect of pesticides for agricultural use, the publication of the Club of Rome Report The Limits to Growth ( 1972 ) or the Brundtland Report ( 1987 ).

In this sense, a political-social contingency originates in the need to engage philosophers in the philosophical consideration of all environmental problems. Over the years, many people have been able to meet who have given a large part of their lives and their actions to teaching and helping to create awareness about environmental responsibility, deepening and addressing issues that allow knowing the obligations that individuals have with the environment. environment, and how to organize actions so as not to affect it.

Environmental ethics is to create and maintain a moral regulation that requires behavior by companies and man in the care of the natural environment, and seeks well-being between society and nature so that there is a balance and a healthy environment.

It is important to instill in people from birth; values on environmental awareness, deploying from childhood absolutely responsible actions and respect for the environment, it is clear and it must be recognized that man is the main cause of its deterioration at a general level, so much so that human activities have radically changed the environment, in addition to the industrial and economic development of nations that have influenced the deterioration of living conditions on earth, causing the depletion of natural resources, degradation and widespread loss of ecosystems, not However, there is the ability of human beings to make rational decisions based on the separation of their interests and thus objectively judge their intervention in nature. This would imply reaching the highest value of a moral action.

In the world there are millions of people and with the contribution of each one, we join efforts to change and improve our habitat in the care of the environment; raising awareness of the importance of a clean and healthy environment that guarantees a healthy and environmentally friendly life.

References

  1. Carlson Rachel (1962) Silent Spring. Critical Editorial. Madrid. Spain.
  2. Meadows, DH; Meadows, D.L.; Randers, J; Behrens, W. (1972). The Limits to Growth: Report to the Club of Rome on Humanity’s Predicament. MIT.
  3. Brundland report. UN, New York, 1987.

About the Author

Rita Silva. Environmental Engineer, with more than 10 years of experience in the area of Safety and Environment in the Oil and Gas Industry.

RITA
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