Environmental Ethics

Two main types of Environmental Ethics:

Individualistic & Holistic

Both holistic and individualistic environmental ethics address

Whose interests count? Whose interests must we consider?

Examples of Ethical Environmental Issues

Should we allow scientific research to be performed on animals? Should we restore the ecosystems which were destroyed by hazardous wastes? Should humans have more rights in this biosphere than other species? Should we protect endangered species? Should we restore the lands we destroyed?

Three ethical worldviews

Environmental Ethics
Expands a circle or moral concern beyond the human species to include at the very least other mammals; perhaps lower animals and plants; and finally entire ecosystems.

Environmental ethics
Ethics = the study of good and bad, right and wrong Ethical standards = criteria that help differentiate right from wrong

Environmental ethics = the study of ethical questions regarding human interactions with the environment

Ethics and economics

Both disciplines deal with how we value and perceive our environment.

These influence our decisions and actions.

History of Environmentalism: In the US

Early 20th century: establishment of National Parks by Teddy Roosevelts administration. 1960s: Increasing concern on human health risks posed by pollution Environmental laws exacted by the US Congress Creation of the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Community-led recycling programmes.

Protests against polluting businesses in Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) campaigns

Future outlook on environment

Public Private partnerships International cooperation Sustainable development

Innovative business responses to environmental regulations

For management morale To cut waste

Benefits arising from pollution prevention Green design of products

Production of environment-friendly products, packages and processes

Eco-labelling Savings through pollution prevention measures

Increased fear of environmental damage Coordination with environmental advocacy groups and government regulators

Key strategies for industrial pollution prevention

1. Systematic waste reduction audit

2. Material balance 3. Economic balance 4. Identifying Waste Reduction 5. Use of Newer, Cleaner Technologies 6. Life-cycle assessment

Managing environmental issues

1. Investing in environment friendly processes or products. 2. Managing environmental regulations. 3. Investing in environmental performance improvement, without increasing costs.

4. Combining all the three methods mentioned above to change the basis for competition
5. Looking at environmental issues from a risk management perspective.

Indias environmental policy

1. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

2. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981

3. The Factories Amendment Act, 1987 4. The National Environmental Policy 2004

Environmental preservation: role of stakeholders

The Public, The Media, Environmental Groups, Corporations, and The Government

Three independent components

Welfarism Consequentialism Maximizing Value