🌿Intro to Environmental Science Unit 14 – Environmental Ethics & Social Justice
Environmental ethics explores the moral relationship between humans and nature, examining concepts like anthropocentrism, biocentrism, and ecocentrism. It also addresses social justice issues, considering fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens across communities and generations.
The field has evolved from early conservationist thinking to a broader focus on sustainability and environmental justice. Key issues include environmental racism, climate justice, and equitable access to resources. Policy efforts and grassroots movements continue to shape this complex ethical landscape.
Environmental ethics examines the moral relationship between humans and the environment and the value and moral status of the environment and its non-human contents
Anthropocentrism places humans at the center of moral consideration and values the environment based on its usefulness to humans
Weak anthropocentrism recognizes some intrinsic value in nature while still prioritizing human interests
Strong anthropocentrism sees nature as valuable only in its utility to humans
Biocentrism extends moral consideration to all living things based on the inherent value of life itself
Ecocentrism further extends moral consideration to whole ecosystems and the biosphere, recognizing the interdependence of all elements
Social justice focuses on fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens and meaningful involvement of all people in environmental decision-making
Intergenerational justice considers the rights and needs of future generations in environmental matters
Sustainability balances meeting current human needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs
Historical Context
Early environmental ethics drew from indigenous worldviews, Romanticism, and transcendentalist thinkers like John Muir and Henry David Thoreau who celebrated nature's spiritual value
Aldo Leopold's "land ethic" (1949) was an early call to extend moral consideration to the natural world and recognize human's membership in the "biotic community"
Rachel Carson's Silent Spring (1962) helped launch the modern environmental movement by exposing the dangers of pesticides and human impacts on the environment
The first Earth Day (1970) and the formation of the EPA marked a new era of environmental awareness and legislation in the U.S.
The environmental justice movement emerged in the 1980s, linking environmentalism with social justice and civil rights
A 1987 study by the United Church of Christ Commission for Racial Justice found race to be the most significant factor in the location of hazardous waste facilities
The idea of sustainability gained prominence with the Brundtland Report (1987) and the Rio Earth Summit (1992)
Ethical Frameworks
Utilitarianism judges the morality of actions based on their consequences, aiming to maximize overall happiness or well-being
Applied to environmental ethics, it might support conservation for its benefits to human welfare or animal suffering
Deontology bases morality on adherence to rules, duties, or rights, regardless of consequences
An environmental deontologist might argue we have a moral duty to preserve species and ecosystems
Virtue ethics focuses on character traits that enable a person to live a good life, such as compassion, humility, and respect for nature
Care ethics emphasizes the importance of relationships, responsibilities, and context in moral deliberation
An ethic of care could motivate environmental concern through our connections and responsibilities to the natural world
Rights-based approaches propose that elements of the environment, like animals or ecosystems, have inherent rights that should be respected
Pragmatism emphasizes the practical outcomes of our moral beliefs and actions, seeking solutions that work in real-world contexts
Environmental Justice Issues
Environmental racism refers to the disproportionate exposure of communities of color to pollution, hazardous waste, and other environmental harms
Examples include the concentration of industrial facilities and waste sites in low-income neighborhoods and indigenous lands
Food justice addresses inequities in access to healthy, affordable, culturally appropriate food and the conditions under which it is produced
Food deserts are areas with limited access to fresh, nutritious food, often found in low-income communities
Transportation justice looks at the environmental, health, and social impacts of transportation systems and policies
Lack of access to reliable public transit can limit economic and educational opportunities and contribute to air pollution exposure
Climate justice recognizes that those who have contributed least to climate change (developing countries and marginalized communities) are often the most vulnerable to its impacts
Water justice struggles include access to clean, affordable drinking water, the privatization of water resources, and the impacts of water pollution and scarcity
Extractive industries like mining and drilling often have disproportionate impacts on indigenous and low-income communities, from displacement to health effects
Case Studies & Real-World Examples
The Flint water crisis began in 2014 when the city's water source was switched to the Flint River, leading to lead contamination and serious health impacts, particularly for low-income and African American residents
The Dakota Access Pipeline conflict (2016) pitted the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and allies against the oil industry in a struggle over sacred sites, water protection, and tribal sovereignty
Louisiana's "Cancer Alley," an 85-mile stretch of the Mississippi River, is home to numerous petrochemical plants and high rates of cancer and respiratory illness, disproportionately affecting African American communities
The Navajo Nation has long grappled with the toxic legacy of uranium mining, including contaminated water, homes, and health effects like increased cancer rates
The Keystone XL and Line 3 pipeline projects have faced opposition from indigenous groups and environmentalists concerned about oil spills, climate impacts, and treaty rights
Majora Carter's work in the South Bronx has focused on green jobs, community gardens, and waterfront restoration as means of environmental and economic revitalization
Policy & Legislation
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1970 requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of proposed actions and consider alternatives
NEPA's public participation provisions have been important tools for environmental justice advocates
The Clean Air Act (1970) and Clean Water Act (1972) set national standards for air and water quality and give the EPA authority to regulate pollution
Subsequent amendments have strengthened these laws, but enforcement remains an ongoing challenge
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, known as Superfund, provides for the cleanup of hazardous waste sites and holds polluters liable
Critics argue that cleanups have been slow and inadequate, with many sites located in communities of color
The Environmental Justice Executive Order 12898 (1994) directed federal agencies to address disproportionate environmental impacts on minority and low-income populations
However, the order did not create enforceable rights or substantive obligations
The Green New Deal, a set of proposed policies to address climate change and economic inequality, has gained traction in recent years
Key components include a transition to renewable energy, green jobs, and investment in frontline communities
Challenges & Controversies
Some argue that environmental regulations can have unintended consequences, such as job losses or regressive impacts on low-income households (e.g. higher energy prices)
However, others point to the economic and health benefits of a cleaner environment and the potential for green jobs
The "jobs vs. environment" framing has often been used to pit labor unions against environmentalists, though blue-green alliances have formed around issues like green jobs and just transition
Some environmental groups have been criticized for a lack of diversity and for neglecting environmental justice concerns
This has led to calls for more inclusive and equitable environmental movements
Market-based approaches to environmental protection, such as cap-and-trade programs or ecosystem services valuation, are controversial
Critics argue they can exacerbate inequalities and fail to address root causes, while proponents see them as efficient and politically feasible tools
The role of individual actions vs. systemic change in addressing environmental problems is a point of debate
While personal choices matter, many argue that structural solutions and collective action are essential
The perceived conflict between economic growth and environmental protection remains a major challenge, despite growing interest in concepts like green growth and degrowth
Future Directions & Solutions
Inclusive and participatory decision-making processes that center the voices and experiences of affected communities are essential for environmental justice
Cumulative impact assessments can help identify and address the disproportionate burdens faced by vulnerable populations
These assessments look at the combined effects of multiple environmental stressors over time
Just transition strategies aim to support workers and communities in the shift away from fossil fuels and extractive industries
This includes job training, income support, and investments in community resilience and economic diversification
Green infrastructure, such as urban forests, rain gardens, and green roofs, can provide multiple environmental and social benefits
These nature-based solutions can help mitigate pollution, reduce heat island effects, and improve public health and well-being
Community-based participatory research partnerships between scientists, organizations, and residents can help document environmental injustices and develop solutions
Examples include air and water quality monitoring, health impact assessments, and citizen science projects
Collaborative ecosystem management approaches that engage diverse stakeholders and knowledge systems can help steward resources and address environmental challenges
Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge offers valuable insights for conservation and resilience
Restorative justice practices, such as environmental and climate reparations, can help address historical and ongoing harms and inequities
This could include land return, compensation for damages, and investments in community-led restoration and adaptation efforts