Environmental Ethical Dilemma
My ethical framework for environmental issues follows closely with my moral stance on many issues. Most of my ethics surrounding environmental issues are related to fairness and the rights of others. Even this idea is biased because I am basing others' rights on what I believe that they are. I do not believe that the earth is in place merely for our survival. I believe it serves a greater purpose than to sustain human life. I do not believe that we are meant to do whatever is necessary to support our economy and excessive lifestyles. Just because we have the mental capacity and the materials to do something does not mean that it needs to be done.
Some important environmental objectives to me are climate change and the policy issues that surround climate change, wildlife protection, maintaining open space and minimizing development, preserving forests and wetlands, and water shortages. Nearly all of the ethics that I believe create my framework are derived from early socialization. My parents were very conservative at home about energy and water consumption. I was exposed to environmental problems early in my school years and became attached to environmental issues at a very young age. I became vegetarian at 12 years old, which has also contributed to my compassion for the environment.
In the end, I do not view the earth as open to manipulation by humans. I view it as our home, but also as a home to millions of animals and plants as well. I have struggled with how to rank what is important, but I can't seem to place everything on a continuum. I believe that we all have a right to life.
An environmental ethical dilemma in urban settings is the competition between greenspace and economic development. A more exact example of this dilemma is the decision between having a park or a high rise apartment complex with businesses on the first floor. The American Planning Association provides an informative briefing paper on the benefits of parks for overall health improvement. In my opinion, parks and greenspaces provide a greater benefit to the entire urban environment, including human health and well-being, animal habitat, environmental quality, and indirect economic strength for the area. As stated in a previous blog entry, we once again are faced with the classic economy versus environment.
Some important environmental objectives to me are climate change and the policy issues that surround climate change, wildlife protection, maintaining open space and minimizing development, preserving forests and wetlands, and water shortages. Nearly all of the ethics that I believe create my framework are derived from early socialization. My parents were very conservative at home about energy and water consumption. I was exposed to environmental problems early in my school years and became attached to environmental issues at a very young age. I became vegetarian at 12 years old, which has also contributed to my compassion for the environment.
In the end, I do not view the earth as open to manipulation by humans. I view it as our home, but also as a home to millions of animals and plants as well. I have struggled with how to rank what is important, but I can't seem to place everything on a continuum. I believe that we all have a right to life.
An environmental ethical dilemma in urban settings is the competition between greenspace and economic development. A more exact example of this dilemma is the decision between having a park or a high rise apartment complex with businesses on the first floor. The American Planning Association provides an informative briefing paper on the benefits of parks for overall health improvement. In my opinion, parks and greenspaces provide a greater benefit to the entire urban environment, including human health and well-being, animal habitat, environmental quality, and indirect economic strength for the area. As stated in a previous blog entry, we once again are faced with the classic economy versus environment.
Should we directly strengthen the economy by creating high cost living and more retail outlets or improve the health and well-being of the urban environment?
There will never be a clear answer.
posted by allison @ 2/01/2006 06:00:00 PM
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