1. Chapter 24: Environmental Ethics
The Foundation of a Sustainable Society

2. 24.1 The Frontier Mentality Revisited
The frontier ethic has long historical roots and is deeply embedded in modern civilization.
It is a notion of:
unlimited resources for exclusive human use
humans being apart from nature, succeeding by dominating it
It influences profoundly the way we meet our needs, and how we view and solve environmental problems of great urgency.

3. 24.2 Sustainable Ethics: Making the Transition
The frontier ethic may be replaced by a more sustainable view as evidence of global decline and its wide-ranging effects continues to mount.
© Photodisc/Getty Images

4. Leopold’s Land Ethic: Planting the Seed
Aldo Leopold described a land ethic that called on people to:
view themselves as a part of the environment
discard the notion of humans as conquerors of nature

5. A New View to Meet Today’s Challenges: Sustainable Ethics
Sustainable ethics sees the world as a finite supply of resources shared by all organisms.
It views people as a part of nature.
It maintains that they will succeed best by fitting human systems within the limits and capacities of natural systems.
This ethical system may inspire restraint and ecological design.

6. Toward a Humane, Sustainable Future
Worldwide adoption of sustainable ethics is necessary to change the way we view the Earth and one another.
FIGURE 03a:
Green building at Oberlin College
Courtesy of Oberlin College

7. 24.3 Developing and Implementing Sustainable Ethics
Many avenues for changing outmoded ethical systems are available to us.
Promoting Models of Sustainability
Publicizing models of sustainable action offers inspiration and practical examples of what individuals, businesses, and governments can do to build a sustainable future.

8. Education
All levels of education can be enlisted in the effort to foster an understanding of ethics and actions that will contribute to a sustainable future.
Religious organizations are an established forum for education whose efforts could be partially dedicated to the exploration of sustainable ethics and lifestyles.

9. Declarations of Sustainable Ethics and Policy
Official declarations by states, nations, and groups of nations can help promote widespread adoption of sustainable ethics and actions.
The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development is an international organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development.

10. FIGURE 03b: Installing photovoltaic panels on a roof
A Role for Everyone
Participation by all sectors of society is essential to building a sustainable society.
Many obstacles lie on the road to sustainability.
The process will likely take a century or more.
FIGURE 03b: Installing photovoltaic panels on a roof
© John M. Walsh, The Morning Journal/AP Photos

11. Faith in Technological Fixes
The belief that technology can solve all of the world’s problems hinders:
development of a sustainable
ethic
implementation of simple,
cost-effective, sustainable
practices
FIGURE 4: Tutt Science Center at Colorado College
Courtesy of Colorado College

12. The Self-Centered View
Efforts to foster individual action and responsibility are hindered by:
concern for the self
feelings of insignificance
cash conscience
blame shifting
Ego Gratification
Feelings of inadequacy are often offset by the accumulation of material possessions.
Over-consumption is a key factor in the decline of the environment.

13. FIGURE 5: Empowerment decreases apathy and despair
Apathy and feelings of powerlessness and despair hinder progress toward sustainability.
Many examples show that individuals can be truly powerful in changing the world.

14. 24.5 Sustainable Ethics: How Useful Are They?
Values affect the way we act.
To some people, the value of things is based on their usefulness.
Sustainable ethics may be one of the most useful sets of values because it serves people, the environment, and the economy much better than shortsighted, outmoded systems of belief.