Environmental Ethics and Policy Monday September 2, 2013 - PDF document

13-­‑09-­‑02 ¡ Environmental Ethics and Policy Monday September 2, 2013 Worldviews “Sets of commonly shared values, ideas and images concerning the nature of reality and the role of humans within it ” Source: Taylor, D.M. (1992). Disagreeing on the basics: environmental debates reflect competing world views . Alternatives 18 (3):26–33. 1 ¡

13-­‑09-­‑02 ¡ Expansionist vs. Ecological — Expansionist Worldview: Material growth is necessary for human happiness and is possible because of ever- advancing technology and abundant resources. — Ecological Worldview: Earth is a finite system that cannot exhibit endless growth. Worldviews Expansionist Worldview — Based on 18 th century Enlightenment tradition — Capitalism — Democracy — Industrial Revolution (end of 18 th century) — European migrants brought these ideals to North America… 2 ¡

13-­‑09-­‑02 ¡ Worldviews Expansionist Worldview — Science & technology can control nature for human gains — Inherent rights of individuals — Accumulation of wealth for progress — Exploitation of natural resources to achieve these ends — “ The frontier mentality ” Worldviews Ecological Worldview — Based on Counter-Enlightenment tradition — Importance of emotions, instincts, the irrational — Nature valued above urbanization & technology — Individual rights to personal communion with nature 3 ¡

13-­‑09-­‑02 ¡ Conservation Movement — Early 20 th century — Reaction to an expanding industrial society — 2 different views, based on expansionist and ecological worldviews Approaches to Conservation EXPANSIONIST ECOLOGICAL — Nature: a resource to be — Biotic community must be used protected — Conservation works with — Conservation works against dominant societal values dominant societal values — Value of natural areas = — Nature is intrinsically value to humans valuable — Conservation = — Human activities must sustainable exploitation respect ecosystems ’ limitations 4 ¡

13-­‑09-­‑02 ¡ Environmentalism: 1 st Wave — 1960s and 1970s — Canadian & US governments : eco-centric approaches to conservation — 1 st Earth Day, 1970 (US) — Canadian Department of the Environment established, 1971 (now known as Environment Canada) 2 nd Wave of Environmentalism — 1985-onward — Global warming, ozone depletion, recycling, etc. — Re-emergence of ecological worldview — Environmental stewardship — Sustainable development 5 ¡

13-­‑09-­‑02 ¡ Environmental Values Placing a value on some aspect of our — environment : 1. Utilitarian justification 2. Ecological justification 3. Aesthetic arguments 4. Moral justification Conservation of Nature Utilitarian Justification — Environment, ecosystem or species provides humans with direct economic benefits or is necessary for their survival — E.g. conservation of Atlantic Cod to protect the livelihood of fishermen 6 ¡

13-­‑09-­‑02 ¡ Conservation of Nature Ecological Justification — A species, ecosystem, etc. provides specific functions necessary for our life to persist. — E.g. conservation of forests because trees remove carbon dioxide produced by fossil fuel burning Conservation of Nature Aesthetic Arguments — Nature is beautiful, and beauty is of profound importance & value to people — E.g. building & preserving urban green spaces like Stanley Park 7 ¡

13-­‑09-­‑02 ¡ Conservation of Nature Moral Justification — Aspects or elements of the environment have a right to exist, & it is our moral obligation to enable them to persist — E.g. nature preserves to protect wildlife Clayoquot Sound 8 ¡

13-­‑09-­‑02 ¡ http://www.cultureunplugged.com/documentary/watch-online/festival/play/6933/jsSendInvitation.php Questions to Consider — Who are the stakeholders in this situation? — In what ways do these different groups value nature (specifically, the old growth forest) — What are the ethical questions raised in this case? — What lessons do you think we can learn from the events at Clayoquot Sound? — The big one: how can environmental ethics be applied practically in policy-making? Assignments — Discussion Leading groups & assigned readings — Blog Posts http://envethics.wordpress.com/ Tomorrow… — Case Study Workshops — Policy Evaluation Paper 9 ¡