Environmental Ethics (EE) The “Who, what, where, and how” Unit 3: Resources Sustainability

EE – The “Who” Ethics are usually considered in intrapersonal terms EE encourages us to think how groups interact, and how we interact with the natural world Stakeholders include far- reaching people, in place and time – moral status Example: who are the stakeholders of an endangered species?

EE – The “When” In these decisions, our actions may be… Cumulative Long-lasting Hidden in the near future Example: nuclear waste Seventh generation movement - in our every deliberation we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations. Do future generations have moral status in the debate over climate change? Native American Iroquois Confederacy

EE – The “Where” Invites us to consider the interconnectedness of the natural world Runoff and burning of coal But also personal actions Emphasis on “wholes” – one drop raises the sea our isolated action may well occur within an existing biological system, in which a small effect in one place may ripple out widely Do you know where your household waste ends up?

EE – The “How” Ethical v. Empirical Risk, harm, and prediction Are claims based on evidence or ideologies? How can we determine this? (stay tuned) Risk, harm, and prediction If the effect is more likely to occur, then ethically, it should take a higher priority Absolute, instrumental, and intrinsic value Must it be protected, or does it depend on its value. In your opinion, what kind of value do animals hold? Define the values

YOUR Environmental Philosophy Involves thinking about your relationship with the Earth Ethics is about connecting head and heart, but too often we become too logical in our ethical reasoning For homework, you’ll read an excerpt from Aldo Leopold’s Sand County Almanac and reflect on the reading and how it compares to what you believe NOTE: This is your 5th entry in your journal! They are due to me as one, put-together notebook by November 29th/30th

Aldo Leopold Conservationist, forester, philosopher, educator, writer, and outdoor enthusiast Most famous for his idea of the “Land Ethic” – calls for an ethical, caring relationship between people and nature Led ecological restoration experiments from his worn out home called “the Shack.”

Follow-Up Observations Students will go to the outdoor classroom and make 5 observations about how the habitat has changed since we made them in September. Students should record these observations in their environmental science journal! (collected 11/29-30). Here is the list of entries: Initial observations (5) Air Pollution log (1/4 sheet) An Inconvenient Sequel reflection (1 page) Follow-up observations (5) Sand County Almanac/your philosophy (1 page)