International Journal on Environmental Sciences 8 (1) : 7-9, January-June 2017 RESEARCH PAPER

ISSN No.: 0976-4534

Environmental Ethics: Need to Rethink

ASHOK KUMAR VERMA

Department of Zoology,
Govt. P.G. College, Saidabad Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India

Received: 20 December 2016 Revision: 10 January 2017 Accepted: 15 January 2017

ABSTRACT
Moral principles define the responsibility of a particular person towards the environment. These principles,
the environmental ethics establish the ethical relationship between human beings and the natural
environment. The resources on earth are limited and belong to all the species that exist in nature. Though
humans have right to draw their requirements from the environment but certainly not to the extent that
degrades the environment and harms other species and living beings. Humans have apparently more
responsibility to minimize their anthropogenic activities and to save the earth. The existing environmental
ethics seem imperfect and insufficient to meet the current situation hence humans have to rethink about
effective environmental ethics.
Keywords: Environmental ethics, anthropogenic activities, healthy environment, sustainable growth, earth.

INTRODUCTION Species level:

1. Each and every species has a right to exist and to
Environmental ethics is a branch of ethics and a form utilize the natural resources.
of philosophy which deals with the studies of relation 2. The species is the real basic unit used to classify
of human beings and the environment. It includes a the organisms and its diversity is the most
moral consideration of human approach to natural commonly used level for describing the
resources and believes that human as well as other biodiversity. It represents broadly the species
living creatures as parts of society. richness and their abundance in a community.
3. Humans, being highly evolved product of
Morality refers to the concept of human ethics related
evolution should work to preserve the earth's
with 'right or wrong', used in three contexts namely
genetic variety as it is the raw material for all
individual conscience, principles and judgments.
future evolution.
These three collectively constitute the moral values.
Morality is a collection of beliefs as to what constitutes Ecosystem level:
a good life. Morals reflect a cultural predominant 1. An ecosystem is a set of life forms (biotic
feeling on ethical issues. components) interacting with one another and
with the non-living elements (abiotic
Moral principles that try to define one's responsibility
components) of their environment.
towards the environment are called 'environmental
ethics' or 'environmental philosophy' which considers 2. The best way to protect species is to protect the
the ethical relationship between human beings and the ecosystem in which they live.
natural environment. 3. Humans should work with nature to sustain the
ecological integrity, biodiversity and adaptability.
ETHICAL GUIDELINES
Individual level:
In order to save the earth and natural environment, we
should follow some guidelines at species, ecosystem 1. Humans should not deplete or degrade the earth's
and personal or individual levels as given below:

*Corresponding author: akv.apexz@gmail.com

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8 Environmental Ethics: Need to Rethink JANUARY-JUNE 2017

physical, chemical or biological assets, which descendents? Or we have liberty to use

support all life activities. environmental resources to the point of depletion
2. When there is an utmost need to alter nature, within our life time? These expanded concerns
humans should choose methods that do the least lead to a need of environmental ethics.
possible harm to us and other living things.
HUMAN VS EARTH CENTRIC THINKING
3. Before we alter nature, humans should assured
The environmental ethics refers to the issues,
ourselves that our action will cause short term
principles and guidelines relating to human
small environmental effects.
interactions with their environment. It is rightly said,
4. Love and honour for the earth. "The environmental crisis is an outward manifestation
5. No right to drive other species to extinction. of the crisis of mind and spirit". It all depends on how
6. Be respectful to plants and animals which provide do we think and act. If we think "Man is all powerful
food and other things to us. and the supreme creature on this earth and man is the
7. Limit the human population. master of nature and can harness it at his will", it
8. Avoid the wastage of natural resources. reflects our human-centric thinking. On the other
9. Consumption of natural resources in moderate hand, if we think "Nature has provided us with all the
amount so that all may share this treasure. resources for leading a beautiful life and she nourishes
us like a mother, we should respect here and nurture
10. Promotion of future generation to live in clean and
her", this is an earth-centric thinking.
safe environment.
11. Minimize the nature and earth deteriorating ECO-CENTRIC WORLDVIEW
anthropogenic activities. The eco-centric worldview states that the earth
resources are limited and belong to all the species that
NEED OF ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS exist in nature. Though humans have right to draw their
The need of environmental ethics has aroused as a requirements from the environment but certainly not
result of the following three factors: the extent that degrades the environment and harms
other species and living beings. No doubt, the success
(1) New Effects on Nature: The modern
and healthy economy of mankind depends upon the
technological advancements and civilization has
healthy environment. It realizes that:
been affecting nature greatly; therefore, we
should not only analyze the ethical consequences
of human actions but also appropriate safety 1. Existence of Nature is not only for humans but for
measures should be taken. all living beings.
2. Development should be inclusive incorporating the
(2) New Knowledge about Nature: A few decades welfare of all living creatures.
ago, only a small section of people realized that
3. Our economic growth should encourage the earth-
human's activities could be altering the global
sustaining development.
environment. Now, the modern science,
environment and technology demonstrated well 4. The earth resources are limited and have to meet the
that how humans have changed and are changing needs of all.
the global environment in ways not previously 5. A healthy economy depends upon healthy
understood. Thus, new knowledge and better environment.
understanding of nature is raising new ethical
issues. CONCLUSION

(3) Expanding Moral Concerns: Perhaps the most In order to save the earth and environment, humans
important question in environmental ethics is- should rethink about their anthropogenic activities and
whether human extends his moral values to non- environmental ethics are utmost need for survival at
humans. Do other species have rights as well? Do global level. We should need to rethink about effective
we have a moral obligation to leave the environmental ethics so that each and every one can
environment in good condition for our emotionally obey and follow them.

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International Journal on Environmental Sciences 8 (1) ASHOK KUMAR VERMA 9

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