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

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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.

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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 18th century Enlightenment tradition

— Capitalism — Democracy — Industrial Revolution (end of 18th century)

— European migrants brought these ideals to North America…

13-­‑09-­‑02 ¡ 3 ¡ 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

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Conservation Movement

— Early 20th century — Reaction to an expanding industrial society — 2 different views, based on expansionist and ecological worldviews

Approaches to Conservation

EXPANSIONIST — Nature: a resource to be used — Conservation works with dominant societal values — Value of natural areas = value to humans — Conservation = sustainable exploitation ECOLOGICAL — Biotic community must be protected — Conservation works against dominant societal values — Nature is intrinsically valuable — Human activities must respect ecosystems’ limitations

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Environmentalism: 1st Wave

— 1960s and 1970s — Canadian & US governments : eco-centric approaches to conservation — 1st Earth Day, 1970 (US) — Canadian Department of the Environment established, 1971 (now known as Environment Canada)

2nd Wave of Environmentalism

— 1985-onward — Global warming, ozone depletion, recycling, etc. — Re-emergence of ecological worldview — Environmental stewardship — Sustainable development

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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

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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

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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

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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