ENVIRONMENTAL WORLDVIEWS, ETHICS AND SUSTAINABILITY Living in the Environment Chapter 28

Core Case Study: Biosphere 2 - A Lesson in Humility Biosphere 2, was designed to be self sustaining life-supporting system for eight people sealed in the facility in 1991. The experiment failed because of a breakdown in its nutrient cycling systems.

How can we live more sustainably? Chapter Overview Questions What philosophies and religions can help us decide how to value life and distinguish between right and wrong environmental behavior? What human-centered environmental worldviews guide most industrial societies? What are some life-centered or earth-centered environmental worldviews? How can we live more sustainably?

Environmental worldviews are how people think How you think the world works. What you believe your environmental role in the world should be. What you believe is right and wrong environmental behavior. (environmental ethics)

Types of Environmental World Views Divided into 2 groups Individual-centered(Atomistic) - Human-centered Earth-centered(Holistic) -Life-centered or some combination of both

Life forms have instrumental value or intrinsic value. Instrumental, or utilitarian, values life forms because they are useful to the biosphere or us. i.e. preserving natural capital of biodiversity Intrinsic, or inherent, values life forms because they merely exist. Anthropocentric instrumental values view life forms as valuable only if they are useful to humans. Humans have intrinsic value, rest of nature has instrumental value. Biocentric intrinsic values view life forms as valuable because they exist. All species have instrumental value.

Human-centered views Human to be the most important species and stewards of the earth. 1. Planetary management worldview :humans are the dominant species. View of most people in industrial societies. Humans should manage the earth. All other life forms have some sort of instrumental value. Problems can be solved with more economic growth and development, and better management and technology. The planet should have a free-market global economy. 2. Stewardship worldview(variation of environmental world view): humans have an ethical responsibility to care for the earth. Humans should make the world better. Humans should pay back our debt to the earth by leaving it better than before.

28-2 Life-Centered and Earth-Centered Worldviews Doubts that we can effectively manage Earth because of our lack of knowledge. Ex. Biosphere project Humans have an ethical responsibility to avoid causing the premature extinction of species. Unique genetic info./economic good Actively protect species endangered by human activities Some believe all animal species have a right to survive 1. Environmental wisdom worldview: humans are not in charge and should study the history of the earth to determine how it has maintained itself. 2. Deep ecology worldview: obligations of humans to all life forms and not reduce the interdependence and diversity of life. 3. Ecofeminist environmental worldview: women should be equal to men in the human quest to develop more sustainable societies. Environmental degradation can be slowed by using images of catastrophe and economic and ecologic collapse.

Environmental Wisdom Worldview Humans are part of nature There is not always more Some types of technology and economic growth are good Human success depends on learning how Earth systems work and applying what we learn

28.3 Solutions: Living More Sustainably Environmentally literate citizens are needed to build a more environmentally sustainable society. This requires an understanding of how the earth works, our interactions with the earth, and the methods we use to deal with environmental problems. Nature must be experienced directly to complete environmental education.

Living more Sustainably Need environmentally literate citizens for a sustainable society. - requires understanding of how earth works, methods to deal with problems Respect earth and life and all its diversity Care for life with understanding Build societies that are free Secure earth’s bounty for present and future generations

Living More Sustainably Affluenza is the addiction to over-consumption and materialism in developed countries. -Symptoms: high debt level, declining health, increased stress, more bankruptcies. -Causes: credit cards enable instant gratification, easy money, and selfishness. -Solutions: consume less, live more simply, and spend less.

Conclusion Effective environmental citizens avoid mental traps that lead to denial and inaction and instead enjoy life and keep empowered feelings. The environmental revolution is a positive outlook and a call for leadership, ideas, and solutions to current environmental challenges.