ENVIROMENTAL
ETHICS
Presented by: VANNESS DAVE S. IBANEZ
BIT 2-0 MT(MECHANICAL TECH)
I. Introduction
A. UNDERSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
Environmental ethics is a specialized area of applied philosophy that
delves into the theoretical underpinnings of environmental values. It
also addresses practical concerns related to societal attitudes,
actions, and policies that promote the preservation and longevity of
biodiversity and ecological systems.
The core of environmental ethics is the concept of human
identification with nature, where the larger ecological self is given
due respect. The field of environmental ethics widens the scope of
ethics to encompass the natural world and its sustainability, which is
crucial for the well-being of all humanity.
MA N BE ING S
H U TH E
ARE PAR T O F
NAT U RE
ABIOTIC
BIOTIC liv in g
r e fe rs to a ll the no n -
r o n c e livin g The term abiotic
Biotics describe liv in g o a n e co s ys te m . S un lig h t,
le factors present in
a co m m u n ity ; fo r e xa m p io tic
components of water and land , a ll c on s titu te the ab
h a s a n im a ls an d p la nts .
organisms, suc factors.
r to : L ife , th e c o n ditio n o f
Biotic may refe
. B io lo gy , th e s tu dy of life .
living organism s
CO NN ECT IO N
IN TER ,
N AT UR E
WITH
B E IN G O F
WELL L IS
INDI VID U A
TO NA T U RE
LIN KED
I. Introduction
B. ENVIRONMENYAL ETHICS IN THE PHILIPINES
Varieties of environmental ethics in the Philippines experience
I. HUMAN CENTERED ETHICS
II. ANIMAL CENTERED ETHICS
III. LIFE CENTERED ETHICS
IV. THE EVERYTHING ETHICS
V. ECOLOGICAL HOLISM
I. Introduction
B. ENVIRONMENYAL ETHICS IN THE PHILIPINES
Varieties of environmental ethics in the Philippines experience
I. HUMAN CENTERD ETHICS - A human-centered ethics treats
humans and human interests as the only things worthwhile or
ethically valuable. Humans are thus treated as ends. It views the
world from the human perspective and judges the worth or value of
things in terms of human interests, human good, and human
happiness. Things are important or valuable only in the sense that
they increase or protect human happiness or welfare.
I. Introduction
B. ENVIRONMENYAL ETHICS IN THE PHILIPINES
Varieties of environmental ethics in the Philippines experience
II. ANIMAL CENTERED ETHICS - Under this viewpoint, it is not only humans
who are morally considerable but non-human animals as well. It includes
all animals in its scope. Many of the things which affect the natural
environment, adversely or otherwise, affect non-human animals, and they
must be taken into account.
Animals need not necessarily be ranked equally. Some animals may
be more valuable than others. For example, it is not surprising if we
take the interests of ants, flies or mosquitoes as of minimal
importance. So too with respect to dinosaurs. After all, they endanger
human existence.
I. Introduction
B. ENVIRONMENYAL ETHICS IN THE PHILIPINES
Varieties of environmental ethics in the Philippines experience
III. LIFE CENTERED ETHICS - The class of living things includes not
just humans and nonhuman animals; it includes plants, algae, single-
celled organisms and even the whole biosphere. The complexity of a
life-centered ethics will depend on how the question ‘What is living?’
is answered.
A life-centered ethics requires first that in deciding how humans
should act, they need to take account of the impact of their actions
on every living thing affected by them.
I. Introduction
B. ENVIRONMENYAL ETHICS IN THE PHILIPINES
Varieties of environmental ethics in the Philippines experience
IV. THE EVERYTHING ETHICS OR THE RIGHT FOR ROCK - Why not
take the argument another step and count nonliving things too as
morally considerable? There is no attempt here to attribute a mental
life or a point of view to non-living things; that would be to enter into
an entirely different dispute. The claim is that non-living things,
which, like many living things lack consciousness and which also lack
even rudimentary biological organization, are morally considerable.
Call this ethic, the ‘everything ethic.’
I. Introduction
B. ENVIRONMENYAL ETHICS IN THE PHILIPINES
Varieties of environmental ethics in the Philippines experience
V. ECOLOGICAL HOLISM - Ecological holism, unlike the previous
environmental ethics, does not count individuals, such as animals
and humans, as well as the plants, rocks, molecules, etc., as morally
considerable. Hence, it does not matter if some species becomes
extinct. Only the whole matters. However, if the species is important
for the maintenance of the whole, then it does matter.
II. HISTORICAL
PERSPECTIVE
A. OVERVIEW OF ENIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE PHILIPINES
Millions of Filipinos rely on agriculture, forestry, and fisheries for their
livelihoods, but frequent natural disasters, ineffective management,
and lapses in environmental law enforcement threaten these critical
natural resources. Water and air pollution levels exceed generally
accepted health standards; and greenhouse gas emissions are
increasing from rapid urbanization, land conversion, mismanaged
plastic waste, and increased demands on the transport and power
sectors. These drivers, coupled with the country’s location in the
Pacific, make the Philippines consistently rank as one of the world’s
most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and natural
disasters.
II. HISTORICAL
PERSPECTIVE
B. EVOLUTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS IN THE PHILIPPINES
The Philippines has been has witnessed rapid industrialization and
urbanization, leading to increased environmental degradation. This
prompted the need for a shift in environmental movement gained
momentum in the country during the 1970s, driven by concerns over
deforestation, Pollution, and the destruction of natural habitats.
During 1990s, the concept of sustainable development gained
prominence, emphasizing the integration growth, social equity, and
environmental protection. The Philippines adopted this approach
through the National Environmental awareness and education act of
2008, which sought to promote environmental education and
consciousness among the public.
III. KEY ENVIRONMENTAL
CHALLENGE
A. DEFORESTATION AND BIODIVERSITY LOSS
Deforestation is a serious problem affecting many countries
worldwide; the Philippines is no exception. The country is home to
a vast array of unique flora and fauna, but deforestation has put
many of these species at risk of extinction. Over the years, the
Philippines government has implemented various program and
initiatives to combat deforestation and promote reforestation, but
the battle is still ongoing. One of the biggest challenges is illegal
logging, which is a major problem in the country. Illegal logging
contributes to deforestation and leads to the loss of biodiversity,
soil erosion, and water pollution. Another challenge the Philippines
faces is converting forests into agricultural land. With a rapidly
growing population and a need to feed its citizens, the Philippines
has seen increased forest conversion for agriculture.
III. KEY ENVIRONMENTAL
CHALLENGE
B. POLLUTION: AIR, WATER, AND SOIL
Pollution is the process of making land, water, air or other parts of
the environment dirty and unsafe that may have adverse effect on
human. The World Wildlife Fund states that any ecosystems can be
affected with multiple forms of contamination- streams full of
toxic chemicals from industrial processes and mining, rivers
overloaded with nutrients from farms, trash blowing away from
landfills, city skies covered in smog.
Just as humans are regularly harmed by pollution, long-term
exposure to air pollution of wildlife species can also lead to
chronic respiratory diseases. Toxic chemicals that accumulate in
top predators can make some species unsafe to eat.
Pollution
Air Pollution
For the most part, air pollution in the Philippines
stems from the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil.
Considering that 53% of the population is without
access to clean fuels and technology for cooking, this
is bound to further exacerbate air quality in the long
run.
Water and Soil Pollution
Mining affects fresh water through heavy use of water
in processing ore, and through water pollution from
discharged mine effluent and seepage from tailings
and waste rock impoundments. Increasingly, human
activities such as mining threaten the water sources
on which we all depend.
III. KEY ENVIRONMENTAL
CHALLENGE
C. CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACT
Impacts of climate change in the Philippines are immense,
including: annual losses in GDP, changes in rainfall patterns and
distribution, droughts, threats to biodiversity and food security, sea
level rise, public health risks, and endangerment of vulnerable
groups such as women and indigenous people.
Climate change is having serious impacts in the Philippines such as
increased frequency and severity of natural disasters, sea level rise,
extreme rainfall, resource shortages, and environmental degradation.
[1] All of these impacts together have greatly affected the Philippines'
agriculture, water, infrastructure, human health, and coastal
ecosystems and they are projected to continue having devastating
damages to the economy and society of the Philippines.
IV. CULTURAL AND
INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE
A. INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL WISDOM
1. Interconnectedness- indigenous people recognize
interconnectedness of all living being and view the environment as
web relationship.
2. Stewardship- indigenous communities consider themselves
caretakers of the land.
3. Respect and reciprocity- indigenous environmental ethics
emphasize respect for all forms of life.
4. Traditional knowledge- Indigenous cultures possess extensive
knowledge about local ecosystem, obtained generations of
observation experience
5. Spiritual and Cultural significance- indigenous people views the
natural world sacred, with spiritual and cultural ties to the land?
V. LEGAL POLICY AND
FRAMEWORK
A. ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Philippines has several environmental laws in place to protect
its natural resources and promote sustainable development.
1. Philippine clean air act (RA 8749)
2. Philippine clean water act (RA 9275)
3. National integrated protected areas system act (RA 7586)
4. Ecological solid waste management act (RA 9003)
5. Renewable Energy act (RA 9513)
6. Climate change act (RA 9729)
V. LEGAL POLICY AND
FRAMEWORK
B. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES FOR ENNVIRONMENTAL
CONSERVATION
Philippines government has implemented various initiatives for
environmental conservation and sustainable development.
Here are some examples:
National Greening Program: Launched in 2011, this program
aims to reforest one million hectares of degraded forest lands
each year. It involves widespread tree planting activities,
agroforestry projects, and the engagement of local
communities in reforestation efforts.
V. LEGAL POLICY AND
FRAMEWORK
B. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES FOR ENNVIRONMENTAL
CONSERVATION
Marine Protected Areas: The government has established Marine
Protected Areas (MPAs) to conserve and manage coastal and
marine resources. These MPAs promote sustainable fishing
practices, protect coral reefs, and preserve biodiversity.
Biodiversity Conservation and Ecotourism: The Philippines is rich
in biodiversity, and the government has taken steps to protect its
unique ecosystems. It has designated several protected areas and
established ecotourism programs to raise awareness about
conservation and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for
local communities.
V. LEGAL POLICY AND
FRAMEWORK
B. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES FOR ENNVIRONMENTAL
CONSERVATION
Sustainable Energy Development: The government has prioritized
the development of renewable energy sources to reduce reliance
on fossil fuels. Initiatives include promoting solar and wind energy
projects, providing incentives for renewable energy investments,
and encouraging energy efficiency measures.
Enhanced Environmental Law Enforcement: The government has
intensified efforts to enforce environmental laws and regulations.
This includes cracking down on illegal logging, illegal fishing, and
other activities that contribute to environmental degradation.
MORAL
RESPONSIBILITY
MORAL RESPONSIBILITY
WE MUST MAINTAIN THE
BALANCE
Thank you!
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