Question

Write an APA word document with at least 3 sources with in text citations and a minimum of 2 pages . All sources must have in text citations. Choose one of these topics from this week's lesson for this assignment- Environmental Ethics.

Answer 1

answer-

Environmental ethics is a branch of ethics that studies the relation of human beings and the environment and how ethics play a role in this. Environmental ethics believe that humans are a part of society as well as other living creatures, which includes plants and animals. These items are a very important part of the world and are considered to be a functional part of human life. Thus, it is essential that every human being respect and honor this and use morals and ethics when dealing with these creatures.

With the rapid increase in world’s population, the consumption of natural resources has increased several times. This has degraded our planet’s ability to provide the services we humans need. The consumption of resources is going at a faster rate than they can naturally replenish.

Environmental ethics builds on scientific understanding by bringing human values, moral principles, and improved decision making into conversation with science. It was Earth Day in 1970 that helped to develop environmental ethics in the US, and soon thereafter the same ethics were developed in other countries including Canada and North America. This is important because the ethics of the environment are of major concern these days.

There are many ethical decisions that human beings make with respect to the environment. For example:

• Should humans continue to clear cut forests for the sake of human consumption?
• Why should humans continue to propagate its species, and life itself?
• Should humans continue to make gasoline-powered vehicles?(Mautner, Michael N.,2009)
• What environmental obligations do humans need to keep for future generations?
• Is it right for humans to knowingly cause the extinction of a species for the convenience of humanity?
• How should humans best use and conserve the space environment to secure and expand life?(Mautner, Michael N. ,2000)
• What role can Planetary Boundaries play in reshaping the human-earth relationship?(Steffen, Will ,2015)

What Causes Environmental Pollution?

The acts of humans lead to environmental pollution. The stronger demand for resources is also a factor that contributes to the problem as we all need food and shelter. When these things are so desired and need the natural balance of the environment is disturbed. Engineering developments are resulting in resource depletion and environmental destruction. There are several environmental issues that have created havoc on our environment and human life. If ignored today, these ill effects are sure to curb human existence in the near future.

The major environmental issues include Pollution, Overpopulation, Industrial and Household Waste, Acid Rain, Climate change, Ozone Layer Depletion, Urban Sprawl, Genetic Engineering, Deforestation and Global Warming. These environmental issues have taken toll on our environment and we’ve already started seeing some disastrous effects in the form of effect of health on humans, rise in sea level, depletion of non-renewable resources, melting of glaciers, extinction of species, polluted landfills, toxic dust, decreasing soil fertility, rise in air and water pollution and many more.

Human beings are considered to be the most intelligent species living on earth. This could be why it is the only species on earth which has civilized itself over the decades to a large extent. Today, human beings boast as being superior to all other animals but what is the use of such great intelligence when environment ethics are not followed?

Cutting down of trees is something that many humans do for their own benefit, without any concern for the animals which are dependent on trees for survival. Using fossil fuels erratically, industrialization, pollution, disturbing ecological balance, all these are attributable to human activities. Just because we are in possession of all of these natural resources does not mean that we can use those resources in any manner in which we choose without keeping anything for the future generations.

Environmental Ethics and Environmental Philosophy

Environment ethics has produced around environmental philosophy. Many scientists have taken up the belief of philosophical aspect of environmental hazards thus giving rise to environment ethics. Currently environment ethics has become the major concern for the mankind.

It is the responsibility of all to ensure that environmental ethics are being met. It is somewhat difficult to make adjustments that are necessary to ensure that you are following all environmental ethics.

Ethics plays an important role in our society today, and environmental ethics and business ethics must be considered. This has become more prevalent in today’s society.

Conclusion-

In conclusion, Environmental ethics is the field where people and company has to make sure that they are aware of their environmental responsibilities and protecting their natural resources instead of over utilizing or harming them.Environmental ethics is very important otherwise there will be days where people would find it difficult to get natural resources for their uses and there will scarcity of them.

Mautner, Michael N. (2009). "Life-centered ethics, and the human future in space" (PDF). Bioethics. 23: 433–440. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8519.2008.00688.x. PMID 19077128.

Mautner, Michael N. (2000). Seeding the Universe with Life: Securing Our Cosmological Future (PDF). Washington D. C.: Legacy Books. ISBN 0-476-00330-X.

Steffen, Will (2015). "Planetary boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing plant"

Leopold, Aldo (1949). "The Land Ethic". A Sand County Almanac. ISBN 1-59726-045-2.

"Climate change victims estimated at millions in the near future, according to Christian Aid". Archived from the original on 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2008-08-04.