Environmental Worldviews, Ethics, and Sustainability Presented by Ramona Parkash Tomás Calderón.

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Environmental Worldviews, Ethics, and SustainabilityPresented byRamona ParkashToms CaldernCase Study: Biosphere 2pg 660glass & steel enclosure designed to mimic earths natural systems8 scientists were isolated for 2 yearsfaced many problems (oxygen depletion, animal extinction, etc.)failure proved that nobody knows how to create systems as life-supporting as natural ecosystemsillustrated that we know very little about how earth works25-1 Major Environmental WorldviewsWhat is an Environmental Worldview?environmental worldview: how people think the world works and what they believe their role in the world should beenvironmental ethics: what is right and wrong in our behavior towards the environmentworldviews can be anthropocentric or biocentric

Planetary Managementhuman-centeredhumans are most dominant & intelligent specieswe can/should manage earth for our benefit3 variationsno-problem school: we can solve any problem with more economic development, management, & technologyfree-market school: minimal governmental interference, conversion of public property to private, free-market competition should decide everythingspaceship-earth school: earth is like a spaceship, we can change & manage it in order to provide for everyone Stewardshiphuman-centeredwe have an ethical responsibility to be care managers (stewards) for earthwe must leave earth in good condition for future generationssuccess in how well we manage earths life support systems Life- and Earth-Centered Worldviewsmost with a life-centered view believe we have an ethical responsibility to prevent extinctionintrinsic value: each species is unique, should be respected & protected simply because it existsinstrumental value: economic value each species potentially hasearth-centered view says that earths natural capital keeps species alive, human economies are subsystems of earths systemsEarth-Centered Worldviewsenvironmental wisdomwe are part of community of life & ecological processeswe should strive to care for all species & humanityearth does not need us to manage it to survivedeep ecology worldvieweach life form has inherent valuehumans have no right to interfere with interdependence which helps us thrivehuman interference is excessivesituation is worsening, changes must be made (decrease in population, policies)25-2 Role of Education in Sustainable LivingBecoming Environmentally Literatedegradation of life-support systems stems from ignorance3 important ideasnatural capital matters, supports life & economiesour threats to natural capital are immense and growingecological & climate change tipping points are irreversible and should never be crossedEnvironmental Literacy contddevelop respect for all lifeunderstand as much as we can about how the earth works and sustains itselflook for connections within biosphereunderstand relationships between life-support systems and economicsfoster a desire to make the world a better place Section 3How Can We Live More Sustainably?Concepts25-3A: We can live more sustainably by using certain guidelines to convert environmental literacy and concerns into action.25-3B: We can live more sustainably by living more simply and lightly on earth and by becoming informed and active environmental citizens.

Guidelines for Living More Sustainably:A Vision Based on Hope

Learn about, respect, and mimic how nature sustains itselfDo not degrade or deplete the earths natural capitalTake no more from nature than what nature can replenishDo not waste matter and energy resourcesProtect biodiversityAvoid climate-changing activitiesHelp maintain the earths capacity for self-repairRepair ecological damage that we have causedLeave the world in as good a condition as we found it or betterCultivate a passion for sustaining all life and let this passion energize your actions

We Can Live More Simply and Lightly on the EarthMany analyst urge people who have a habit of consuming excessively to learn how to live more simply and sustainably.Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities.-Mark TwainEmphasize your interaction with people and a communityVoluntary simplicity: doing and enjoying more with less by using products and services that have smaller environmental impact. Affluent people in developing countries adopt this.Downshifters are others who reduce income and alter lifestyle so they can interact more.Mahatma Gandhis principle of enoughness:The earth provides enough to satisfy every persons need but not every persons greed When we take more than we need, we are simply taking from each other, borrowing from the future, or destroying the environment and other species.Most of the worlds religions have similar teachings

We Can Live More Simply and Lightly on the EarthHow Much Is Enough?Our Basic needs:Foodclean airclean waterShelterClothing (in most societies =D)

Other needs: SecurityMeaningfulnessPhysical and mental healthOpportunities to learn and give our personal expressionBeing nurturedFreedomBelonging and caringA healthy environment (biological and cultural)Assurance of these things for future generationsHow much of what we acquire really helps us reach these goals?

We Can Each Choose Ways to Live More LightlyThe human activities that have the greatest harmful impacts on the environment are:AgricultureTransportationsHome energy useWater useOur overall consumption and waste.

Sustainability DozenWe Can Become Better Environmental CitizensVoting and putting our money into pushing for a more sustainable path.Moving away from blame, guilt, fear, and apathy by recognizing and avoiding common mental traps:Gloom-and-doom pessimismBlind technological optimismParalysis by analysisFaith in simple, easy answersWe Can Become Better Environmental CitizensThe greatest danger to our future is apathy. . . . Can we overcome apathy? Yes, but only if we have hope. . . . Technology alone is not enough. We must engage with our hearts also.-Jane GoodallWe should be flexible and adaptable in trying a variety of cultural and technological solutions to our problems, as well as practice good earthkeeping.The Earth Charter:

A blueprint for building a more sustainable societyIt began to be developed after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; in March of 2000 it was finalized after years of input from an array of sources.Earth Charter'Rio girl' Severn Cullis-Suzuki

The Role of Religion in the Sustainability RevolutionWe must not undermine the relevance of religion:50-75% of the worlds populations are active members of a religion. If only 10% of them were to be mobilized for environmentally sustainable societies, it would be a powerful force for education and change.Locally united communities are often the best ways to bring change.Philosophical and doctrinal differences do not deter most from coming together under the cause of practicing stewardship of the earth, or at least doing so individually within their groups.

Sister Diane Cundiff and Her Sister TeachersAt Colegio Santa Maria in So Paulo, Brazil, teachers are motivated by their religious beliefs and the ethical guidelines of the Earth Charter.Environmental studies and concerns are integrated throughout the curriculum:Students conduct water test from slums, and promote testing water before its consumptionStudents sort school garbage to be recycled and reusedStudents work with poor people where they live over the summer.

A Sustainability RevolutionDuring Your LifetimeBiodiversity protectionCommitment to eco-efficiencyEnergy transformationPollution preventionEmphasis on sufficiencyDemographic equilibriumEconomic and Political transformations

We have the knowledge and the financial wealth to make a transition to more sustainable lifestyles and societies.Actions are needed now; however, we only need to convince 5-10% of the people in the world or a given country to bring about a major social change.Think globally locally