Lesson 4 The Human Person in The Environment: Overview

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LESSON 4

THE HUMAN PERSON IN THE ENVIRONMENT


Overview:
Our limited understanding of our environment opens for a need for philosophical
investigation of nature, applying aesthetic and theological dimensions, as well as
appreciating our philosophical reflections with the concept of nature itself. In the earlier
chapters we have the underlying qualities of human being as holistic and
transcendental. Not only we value the concepts of other people but to consider
carefully, the moral, ethical, political, cultural, and ecological realities of where we are
situated in.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this lesson, the students can;
1. discuss philosophical views and how they influence human action regarding the
environment;
2. explain disorder in an environment; and
3. demonstrate the virtues of prudence and frugality towards environment.

Materials Needed:
 Laptops/smartphones
 Powerpoint presentation
 Earphones
 Learning module
 Pre-recorded video lecture

Duration: 13 hours

Learning Contents:
Notice Disorder in the Environment
Current researcher Zimmerman (1994), Eligin (2009), and Pettman (2012) to
name a few, exposed the environmental consequence of international politico-
economic specialization for specific countries and global regions.One important
development that arose was environmentalism. This perspective advocates
addressing the growing environmental problems. Philosophy has a significant role in the
development of environmental awareness and action. Researches show implications for
both abuses of natural resources and of the generation of waste and emissions.
One important philosophical view from environmentalism is environmental
philosophy or environmental ethics. This is a moral approach that analyses the
relationship between humans and the environment and discusses environmental
problems caused by human activities and social issues that impact the environment or a
discipline in philosophy that studies the moral relationship of human beings with the
environment and its non- human contents.
Environmental ethics serves as a basis for reflecting on how are actions shows
our regard for nature and it also guides us in upholding the welfare of the environment
and everything in it. Environmentalism also encourages governments, institutions,
organizations, and corporations to commit to responsible action for the environment.
Many of the major environmental problems we experience such as pollution,
deforestation, and the loss of natural resources are caused by the actions of mining and
logging companies, factories, business, and even governments. An important part of
environmentalism is collective action spearheaded by environmental groups that call
attention to environmental problems and environmental abuse.
Our natural environment becomes imbalanced and unsustainable when it's
polluted and stripped of its natural resource by over-consumption. Our lives are at
stake as we find our health being affected by environmental toxins in the air,
water, and foods we consume. Our planet Earth is a tragile planet with limited
resources. The growing threat of climate change means everyone from individuals
to business must realize their environmental impact and daily choices.
An increased in population make excessive demands on natural resources, and
increases the demand on agriculture and livestock. The negative impact
associated with population increased is the increased use of chemical fertilizers,
insecticides and pesticides to increase production. Removing trees and other plants
to increase areas of cultivation, housing settlement and road widening causes habitat
loss and threaten the survival of several plant and animal species.
Unfortunately, humans are the most polluting species. Earth is very good at
recycling wastes but we are generating far more wastes than Earth can cope with.
Pollution occurs at all levels and it doesn't just impact our planet, it impacts all
species, including mankind who dwell on it.
Things That are Not in Their Proper Places Cause Disorder in the Environment
It is interesting to note that the human persons have lived much of it without
causing much irreparable damage to the environment. But, in recent years, due to
advancement of science and technology, the increase in population and the
decrease of value-laden environmental behavior of the people have cost a lot of
disorder in the planet Earth. These disorders have negatively affected the
environment over the last few years. Among the things that cause disorder in
planet Earth are:
1. The use of chemical fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides to increase production but
pollutes the air, soil, and water with toxic chemicals.
2. Removing trees and plants to increase areas for cultivation, housing and road
widening.
3. Waste generated in farm and meat processing plants can affect the water quality in
the areas.
4. Nuclear waste generated from nuclear reactions and weapons deplete the soil of its
nutrients and make it virtually lifeless.
5. Effluence from industries, fertilizer run off and oil spills all damage fragile
ecosystems. According to the World Watch Institute. "the 450 million kilograms of
pesticides U.S. farmers use every year have now contaminated almost all of the nations
and streams and rivers, and the fish living in them, with chemicals that cause cancer
and birth defects"
6. Burning of fossil fuels and toxic gases produced in factories causes pollution.
7. Wild fires that start spontaneously in dry areas destroy large areas of forest and the
animals and the insects living in them.
8. Waterways get clogged up with the accumulation of natural debris and excessive
plant growth and by waste dumping.
9. Adulteration of food causes several health problems.
10. High doses of radiation can be harmful or even fatal.

How Can We Organize in Our Aesthetic Way the Disorder in the Environment?
God has endowed humanity with reason and ingenuity that distinguish us
from other creatures. Ingenuity, creativity, and aesthetic sense have enabled the
human person to make remarkable advances and can help address the problem of
global climate change. However, we have not always used these endowments wisely.
Past actions have produced both good works and harmful ones as well as unforeseen
or unintended consequences.
Global climate is by its very nature a part of the planetary nature of things. The
melting of ice sheets and glaciers, the destruction of rain forests, and the pollution
of waste in some other places can have environmental impact elsewhere. Pope John
Paul II has said that "men cannot interfere in one area of the ecosystem without paying
due attention both to the consequences of such interference in other areas and to the
well-being of future generation."
Responses to global climate change must reflect men's interdependence and
common responsibility for the future of the planet. Industrial nations must put away
their self-interest against its greater universal common good and contribute equitably
to global situation.
Freedom and the capacity for moral discussion making are central to what it
means to be human. Stewardship requires a careful protection of the environment
and calls us to use our intelligence "to discover the earth's productive potential and
the many different ways in which needs can be satisfied."
We believe economic freedom, initiative, and creativity are essential to help our
nation find effective ways to address climate change. The United States history
of economic, technology innovation and entrepreneurship invites us to move beyond
status quo responses to this challenge. In addition, the right to private property is
matched by the responsibility to use what we own to serve the common good. In the
Philippines, our Catholic traditions speak of a "social mortgage" on property and, in
this context, call us to be "good stewards of the earth." It also calls us to use the
gifts we have been given to protect human life and dignity, and to exercise our care for
God's creation.
True stewardship requires changes in human actions-both in moral behavior and
technical advancement. Our religious tradition has always urged restraint and
moderation in the use of material goods so we must not allow our desire to
possess more material things to overtake our concern for the basic needs of people
and environment. Pope John Paul II has inked protecting the environment to "authentic
human ecology", which can overcome "structures of sin" and which promotes both
human dignity and respect for creation. Technology, innovation and entrepreneurship
can help make possible options that can lead us to a more environmentally benign
energy path. Changes in lifestyle based on traditional moral virtues can ease the way
to a sustainable and equitable world economy in which sacrifice will no longer be
an unpopular concept. For many of us a life less focused on material gain may
remind us that we are more than what we have. Rejecting the false promises of
excessive or conspicuous consumption can even allow more time for family, friends and
civic responsibilities. A renewed sense of sacrifice and restraint could make an
essential contribution to addressing global climate change.
The common good calls us to extend our concern to future generations. Climate
change poses the question "What does our generation owe to generations yet
unborn?" As Pope John Paul II has written, "there is an order in the universe
which must be respected, and... the human person, endowed with the capability of
choosing freely, has a grave responsibility to preserve this order for the well-being of
future generations.
Passing along the problem of global climate change to future generations as a
result of our delay, indecisions, or self-interest would be easy. But we simply
cannot leave this problem for the children of tomorrow. As stewards of their heritage,
we have an obligation to respect their dignity and to pass on their natural
inheritance, so that their lives are protected and, if possible, made better than our own.
Caring for the Environment
Population and climate change should be addressed from the broader
perspective of a concern for protecting human life, caring for the environment and
respecting cultural norms and the religious faith and moral values of peoples.
Population is not simply about statistics. Behind every demographic number is a
precious and irreplaceable human life whose human dignity must be respected.
The global climate change debate cannot become just another opportunity for
some groups- usually affluent advocates from the developed nations- to blame the
problem on population growth in poor countries. Historically, the industrialized
countries have emitted more greenhouse gases that warmth the climate than have
the developing countries. Affluent nations Such as the United States have to
acknowledge the impact of voracious consumerism instead of simply calling for
population and emissions controls from people in poorer nations, like the Philippines.
A more responsible approach to population issues is the promotion of "authentic
development", which represents a balanced view of human progress and
includes respect for nature and social well-being. Development policies that seek to
reduce poverty with emphasis on improved education and social conditions for
women are far more effective than usual population reduction programs and far more
respectful of women dignity.
We should promote a respect for nature that encourages policies fostering
natural family planning and the education of women and men rather than coercive
measures of population control or government incentives for birth control that violate
local cultural and religious norms.
Working for the common good requires us to promote the flourishing of all human
lives and all of God's creation. In a special way, the common good requires solidarity
with the poor who are often without the resources to face many problems
including impact of climate change. Our obligations to the human family stretch
across space and time. They tie us to the poor in our midst and across the globe, as
well as to future generations. The commandment to love our neighbor invites us to
consider the poor and marginalized of other nations as true brothers and sisters
who share with us the one table of life intended by God for the enjoyment of all.
50 Ways to Show Your Care for the Environment (From Internet Source)
1. CHANGE YOUR LIGHT
If every household replaced one regular light bulb with one of those new
compact fluorescent bulbs, the pollution reduction would be equivalent to removing one
million cars from the road.
2. TURN OFF THE COMPUTERS AT NIGHT
By turning off your computer instead of leaving it in sleep mode, you can save 40
watt-hours per day. That adds up to 4 cents a day, or fourteen (14) pesos per year. If
you don't want to wait for your computer to start up, set it to turn on automatically a few
minutes before you get to work, or boot up while you're pouring your morning cup 'o joe.
3. DON'T RINSE
Skip rinsing dishes before using your dishwasher and save up to 20 gallons of
water each load. Plus, you're saving time and the energy to heat the additional water.
4. DO NOT PRE-HEAT THE OVEN
Unless you are making bread or pastries of Some sort, don't pre-heat the oven.
Just turn it on when you put the dish in. Also, when checking on your food, look through
the oven window instead of opening the door.
5. RECYCLE GLASS
Recycled glass reduces related air pollution by 20 percent and related water
pollution by 50 percent. If it isn't recycled it can take a million years to decompose.
6. DIAPER WITH A CONSCIENCE
By the time a child is toilet trained, a parent will change between 5,000 and 8,000
diapers, adding up to approximately 3.5 million tons of waste in US and Philippine
landfills each year. Whether you choose cloth or a more environmentally-friendly
disposable, you're making a choice that has a much gentler impact on our planet.
7. HANG DRY
Get a clothesline or rack to dry your clothes by the air. Your wardrobe will
maintain color and fit and you'll save money. Your favorite t-shirt will last longer too.
8. GO VEGETARIAN ONCE A WEEK
One less meat-based meal a week helps the planet and your diet. For example:
It requires 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. You will also save
some trees. For each hamburger that originated from animals raised on rainforest land,
approximately 55 square feet of forest have been destroyed.
9. WASH IN COLD OR WARM
If all the households in the US or Philippines switched from hot-hot cycle to warm
cold, we could save the energy comparable to 100,000 barrels of oil a day. Only launder
when you have a full load.
10. USE ONE LESS PAPER NAPKIN
During an average year, an American or even a Filipino uses approximately
2,200 napkins - around six each day. If everyone used one less napkin a, day, more
than a billion pounds of napkins could be saved from landfills each year.
11. USE BOTH SIDES OF PAPER
American and Filipino businesses throw away about 21 million tons of paper
every year, equal to 175 pounds per office worker. For a quick and easy way to halve
this, set your printer's default option to print double-sided (duplex printing). And when
you're finished with your documents, don't forget to take them to the recycling bin.
12. RECYCLE NEWSPAPER
There are 63 million newspaper printed each day in the U.S. and even in the
Philippines. Of these, 44 million, or about 69%, of them will be thrown away. Recycling
just the Sunday papers would save more than half a million trees every week.
13. WRAP CREATIVITY
You can reuse gifts bags, bows and event paper, but you can also make
something unique by using old maps, cloth or even newspaper. Flip a paper grocery
bag inside out and give your child stamps or markers to create their own wrapping
paper that's environmentally friendly and extra special to the recipient.
14. RETHINK BOTTLED WATER
Nearly 90% of plastic water bottles are not recycled, instead taking thousands of
years to decompose. Buy a reusable. container and fill it with tap water, a great choice
for the environment, your wallet, and possibly your health. The EPA's standards for tap
water are more stringent than the FDA's standards for bottled water.
15. BAN BATHE TIME
Have a no-bath week, and take showers instead. Baths require almost twice, as
much water. Not only will you reduce water consumption, but the energy costs
associated with heating water.
16. BRUSH WITHOUT RUNNING WATER
You've heard this one before, but may be you still do it. You'll conserve up to five
gallons of water per day if you stop. Daily savings could add up to 1.5 billion gallons -
more water than folks use.
17. SHOWER WITH YOUR PARTNER
Sneak in a shower with your loved one to start the day with some zest that
doesn't come in a bar. Not only have you made a wise choice for the environment, but
you may notice some other added...um...benefits.
18. TAKE A SHORTER SHOWER
Every two minutes you save on your shower can conserve more than ten
gallons of water. If everyone in the country saved just one gallon from their daily
shower, over the course of the year it would equal twice the amount of freshwater
withdrawn from the lakes every day.
19. PLANT A TREE
It's good for the air, the land; it can shed your house and save on cooking (plant
on the west side of your home), and they can also improve the value of your property.
Make it meaningful for the whole family and plant a tree every year for each member.
20. USE YOUR CRUISE CONTROL
You paid for those extra buttons in your car, so put them to work! When using
cruise control, your vehicle could get up to 15% better mileage. Considering today's
gasoline prices, this is a boon not only for the environment but for your budget as well.
21. SECOND-HAND DOESN'T MEAN SECOND BEST
Consider buying items from a second-hand store. Toys, bicycle, roller blades,
and other age size- specific items are quickly outgrown. Second-hand stores often sell
these items in excellent condition since they are used for such a short period of time,
and will generally buy them back when you no longer need them.
22. BUY LOCAL
Consider the amount of pollution created to get your food from the farm to your
table. Whenever possible, buy from local farmers or farmers market, supporting your
local economy and reducing the amount of greenhouse gas created when products are
flown or trucked in.
23. ADJUST YOUR THERMOSTAT
Adjust your thermostat one degree higher in the summer and one degree cooler
in the winter or cool months. Each degree Celsius less will save about 10% on your
energy use! In addition, invest in a programmable thermostat which allows you to
regulate temperature based on the times you are at home or away.
24. INVEST IN YOUR OWN COFFEE CUP
If you start every morning with a steamy cup, a quick tabulation can show you
that the waste is piling up. Invest in a reusable cup, which only cuts down on waste, but
keeps your beverage hot for a much longer time. Most coffee shops will happily fill your
own cup, and many even offer you a discount in exchange!
25. BATCH ERRANDS
Feel like you spend your whole week trying to catch up with the errands? Take a
few moments once a week to make a list of all the errands that need to get done, and
see if you can batch them into one trip. Not only will you be saving gasoline but you
might find yourself with much better time- management skills.
26. TURN OFF LIGHTS
Always turn off incandescent bulbs when you leave a room. Fluorescent bulbs
are more affected by the number of times it is switched on and off so turn them off when
you leave a room for 15 minutes or more. You'll save energy on the bulb itself, but also
on cooling costs, as lights contribute heat to a room.
27. GREENER LAWN CARE
If you must water your lawn do it early in the morning before any moisture is lost
to evaporation. Have a few weeds? Spot treat them with vinegar. Not sure if you should
rake? Normal clippings acts as a natural fertilizer let them be. If you've waited too long,
rake by hand-its excellent exercise.
28. PICNIC WITH A MARKER
Some time in between the artichoke dip and the coleslaw, you lost track of your
cup, and now there are a sea of matching cups on the table, one of which might be
yours. The next time you picnic, set out permanent marker next to disposable
dinnerware so guests can mark their cup and everyone will only use one.
29. RECYCLE OLD CELL PHONES
The average cell phone lasts around 18 months, which means 130 million
phones will be retired each year. If they go into landfills, the phones and their batteries
introduce toxic substances into our environment. There are plenty of reputable
programs where you can recycle your phone many which benefit noble causes.
30. MAINTAIN YOUR VEHICLE
Not only are you extending the life of your vehicle, but you are creating less
pollution and saving gas. A properly maintained vehicle, clean air filters and inflated
tires can greatly improve your vehicles performance. And it might not hurt to clean out
trunk- all that extra weight could be costing you at the pump.
31. RECYCLE UNWANTED WIRE HANGERS
Wire hangers are generally made of steel, which is often not accepted by some
recycling programs. So what do you do with them? Most dry cleaners will accept them
back to reuse or recycle. (Cue Joan Crawford)
32. RECYCLE ALUMINUM AND GLASS
Twenty recycled aluminum cans, can be made with the energy it takes to
manufacturer one brand new one. Every ton of glass recycled saves the equivalent of
nine gallons of fuel oil needed to make glass from virgin materials.
33. TELECOMMUTE
See if you can work out an arrangement with your employer that you work from
home for some portion of the week, Not only will you save money and gasoline and you
get to work in your pajamas!
34. KEEP YOUR FIREPLACE DAMPER CLOSED
Keeping the damper open (when you're not using your fireplace) is like keeping a
48-inch wide open during the winter or cold seasons, it allows warm air to go right up
the chimney. This can add up to hundreds of dollars or pesos each winter in energy
loss.
35. CUT DOWN ON JUNK MAIL
Feel like you need to lose a few pounds? It might be your junk mail that's
weighing you down. The average person receives 40 pounds of junk mail each year,
destroying 100 million trees. There are many services that can help reduce the clutter in
your mailbox, saving trees and the precious space on your countertops.
36. CHOOSE MATCHES OVER LIGHTERS
Most lighters are made out of plastic and filled with butane fuel, both petroleum
products. Since most lighters are considered "disposable", over 1.5 billion end up in
landfills each year. When choosing matches pick cardboard over wood. Wood matches
come from trees, whereas most cardboard matches are made from recycled paper.
37. LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING-ONLINE
Consider if you really need a paper phone book. If not, call to stop phone book
delivery and use an online directory instead. Some estimate that telephone books make
up almost ten percent of waste at dump sites. And if you still receive the book, don't
forget to recycle your old volumes.
38. GIVE IT AWAY
Before you throw something away think about if someone else might need it,
either donate to a charitable organization or post it on a web site designed to connect
people and things, such as Freecycle.org
39. GO TO A CAR WASH
Professional car washers are often more efficient with water consumption. If
everyone who washes their car themselves took just one visit to the car wash we could
save nearly 8.7 billion of gallons of water.
40. PLASTIC BAGS SUCK
Each year, each country approximately uses 84 billion plastic bags, a significant
portion of the 500 billion used worldwide. They are not biodegradable, and are making
their way into the oceans, and subsequently, the food chain/. Stronger, reusable bags
are an inexpensive and readily available option.
41. FLY WITH AN E-TICKET
The cost of processing a paper ticket is approximately $10 or approximately
P460, while processing an e-ticket costs only $1 or P46. In the near future e-tickets will
be the only option saving the airline industry $3 billion or about P198 billion a year. In
addition to financial savings the sheer amount of paper eliminated by this process is
commendable.
42. DOWNLOAD YOUR SOFTWARE
Most software comes on a compact disc and more than thirty billion compact
discs of all types are sold annually. That's a huge amount of waste, not to mention the
associated packaging. Another bonus to downloading your software is that it's often
available for download at a later date when you upgrade to a new computer or are
attempting to recover from a crash.
43. STOP YOUR ANSWERING MACHINE
Answering machines uses energy 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And when
they break, they're just one more thing that goes into the landfill. If all answering
machines in every home were eventually replaced by voice mail services, the annual
energy savings would total nearly two billion kilowatt-hours.
44. SKIP THE COFFEE STIRRER
Each year, people throw away 138 billion straws and stirrers. But skipping the
stirrer doesn't mean drinking your coffee black. Simply put your sugar and cream first,
and then pour in the coffee, and it should be well mixed. Determined to stir? Break oft a
piece off pasta from the cupboard. You can nibble after using it, compost, or throw away
with less guilt.
45. FIND A BETTER WAY TO BREAK THE ICE
When a big winter storm heads our way, most of us use some sort of ice melted
to treat steps and sidewalks. While this makes the sidewalks safer for people, it may
pose a hazard for pets that might ingest these products. Rock salt and salt-based ice-
melting products can cause health problems as well as contaminate wells and drinking
water. Look for a pet-safe deicer, readily available in many stores.
46. USE COTTON SWABS WITHA PAPERBOARD SPINDLE
Some brands of cotton swabs have a paperboard spindle while others are made
of plastic. If 10% of U.S. and other countries households switched to paperboard
spindle, the petroleum energy saved per year would be equivalent to over 150,000
gallons of gasoline.
47. PAY BILLS ONLINE
By some estimates, if all households in the world paid their bills online and
received electronic statements instead of paper, we'd save 18.5 million trees every year,
2.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, and 1.7 billion pounds of
solid waste.
48. STOP PAPER BANK STATEMENTS
Some banks will pay you in cash or donate money on your behalf when you
cancel the monthly paper statements you get in the mail. If every household took
advantage of online bank statements, the money saved could send more than
seventeen thousands recent high school graduates to a public university for a year.
49. USE RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
Each year 15 billion batteries produced and sold and most of them are
disposable alkaline batteries. Only a fraction of these are recycled. Buy a charger and a
few sets of rechargeable batteries. Although it requires an upfront investment, it is one
that should pay off in no time. And on Christmas morning when all the stores are
closed? You’ll be fully stocked.
50. SHARE!
Take what you've learned, and pass the knowledge on to others. If every person
you know could take one small step toward being greener, the collective effort could be
phenomenal.

How Environment Sustainability Benefits Human Health


1. Cleaner air, resulting from fewer emissions from cars, buses, industrial
processes, and so forth, improves human health through a lesser incidence of lung
disease, asthma, and allergy- like symptoms.
2. Clean drinking water, reasonably clean water for bathing are very important in
preventing certain disease and symptoms such as chronic diarrhea. In this context,
"clean" means lacking in obvious pollutants, such as human or animal waste, but
also free of heavy metals and other chemicals detrimental to human health. A low
count of bacteria also is very important.
Of course now we're finding that we're victims of our own cleverness. Animals
that are being dosed with hormones so they will grow to become food faster
are being found in our water, and are thought to be possible causes of early
puberty.
Also our own pharmaceuticals that are disposed of in a way that allows them to
find their way into the water supply may be decreasing the effectiveness of those
drugs.
3. If the environment is healthy in the sense of promoting active transportation,
such as walking, bicycling, or rollerblading for transportation, people will get more
exercise than they will if they ride in a motorized vehicle.
Some built-environments are much easier for pedestrians and cyclist to navigate
through, because these are sidewalks, bicycle lanes or separated facilities, and
so on. Also on our site we promote mixed-use development buildings or
complexes, density in urban areas, and other policies that prevent or counteract
sprawl.
The relationship between urban sprawl and public health is receiving today an
increasing amount of recognition.
4. More energy conservation helps reduce healthier humans because the most
common forms of energy production also produce major pollution. For example,
coal-fired electrical generation creates a considerable amount of air pollution (despite
talk of "clean coal")
5. Air pollution is thought to lead to both ozone depletion and global warming. Each
of these can harm human health if no adaptations are made.
6. Lastly, well simply mention that biodiversity, which means having a wide variety
of health species of plants and animals enriches many people's lives and gives
them satisfaction- certainly a healthy experience.
In addition, since many pharmaceuticals are developed from plant materials, a
healthy degree of biodiversity probably increases the odds that we will find cures
for some of the major diseases.
The Development of Ethical Views Regarding the Environment
Environmental Ethics
Advocating human responsibility and action with regard to environmental issues. A
discipline in philosophy that studies the moral relationship of human beings with the
environment and its non- human contents. Environmental philosophers tackle issues
such as humanity’s role in the natural world, the interaction between nature and human
activities, and humanity’s response to environmental challenges.
3 Views Between Humanity and Environment
 Anthropocentrism- focuses on the significant role of humankind in the world
and considers nature as the means by which humans are able to meet their needs and
survive. This views believes that humans are the most important species on the planet
and they are free to transform nature and use its resources.
 Biocentrism- believes that humans are not only the significant species on the
planet and that all organisms have inherent value and should be protected. This view
drives the activities of humane organizations that advocate the ethical treatment of
animals to treated kindly, such as R.A. 8485 or “The Animal Welfare Act of 1998”
 Ecocentrism- places great value on ecosystems and biological communities.
This view believes that humankind is part of a greater biological system or community
and that we have a significant role as stewards or guardians of nature. It promotes the
idea that order and balance in nature brings about stability and beauty.
We benefit greatly from a clean and orderly environment. Clean and green
orderly surroundings contribute to safety, well-being, and health, while dirty and
disorderly surroundings result in disease or accidents. Environmental aestheticsis one
philosophical view that believes maintaining order in the environment will bring our
natural beauty of the surroundings and contribute to the well- being of the people and
other organisms living in it. The appreciation of natural beauty brings about concern for
the environment and helps people relate more effectively with nature.
How can humanity address the damage inflicted on the environment?
Environmentalism is an important development that arose to advocate the
growing environmental problems. Philosophy has a significant role in the development
of environmental awareness and action.
One important philosophical view from environmentalism is environmental
ethics. This is moral approach that analyzes the relationship between humans and the
environment. It also discusses environmental problems caused by human activities and
social issues that impact the environment. It guides us in upholding the welfare of the
environment and everything in it.

Environmental Ethics has resulted in the development of varied views:


Environmental ethics, advocating human responsibility and action with regard to
environmental issues. Its main ideas are the following:
 All nonhuman elements of the world, including animals and Natural resources,
have instinct value and should be preserved.
 The preservation of the environment will benefit humans by providing for the
needs of present and future generations.
 Humankind has a responsibility to safeguard the planet as stewards of creation.

Environmental ethics has resulted in the development of varied views:


 Social Ecology- applies an ecological and ethical approach in analyzing society,
and sees a relationship between social problems and environmental problems. Society
should implement changes in order to address issues regarding the environment.
 Concepts such as climate ethics and climate justice arose from the growing
concern with climate change and consider it a significant ethical, social, and political
issue. These views were greatly influenced by the concept of environmental justice,
which refers to the fair distribution of environmental benefits, as well as the burden of
meeting environmental challenges. Advocates of environmental justice emphasize
equity and the meaningful involvement of communities and governments in addressing
environmental challenges, and in planning and implementing environmental policies.
 Environmental Aesthetics, focused on concepts of beauty in nature, but has
become increasingly influenced by environmental concerns. It is the context of
maintaining order and balance in the environment.
Notice Things that Are not in Their Proper Place and Organize them in an
Aesthetic Way
i. Ancient Thinkers
 Anaximander- the creation and destruction, according to him, the evolution of
the world begins with the generation of opposites in a certain region of Nature: a portion
of the boundless first differentiates itself into a cold- moist mass surrounded by a
roughly spherical shell of the warm- dry.
 Pythagoras-described the universe as living embodiment of nature’s order,
harmony, and beauty. He sees the relationship with the universe involving
biophilia(love of other living things) and cosmophilia (love of other living beings).
ii. Modern Thinkers
 Immanuel Kant- expresses that beauty is ultimately a symbol of morality; we
must ignore any practical motives or inclinations that we have and instead contemplate
the object without being distracted by our desire.
 Herbert Marcuse- humanity had dominated nature. There can only be change if
we will change our attitude towards our perception of the environment.
 George Herbert Mead- as human beings, we do not have only rights but duties.
We are not only citizens of the community but how we react to this community and in
our reaction to it, change it.

Show that Care for the Environment Contributes to Health, Well- being, and
Sustainable Development
 Deep Ecology- ecological crisis is an outcome of anthropocentrism, the
controlling attitude of humankind is extended to nature, when in fact, and humanity is
part of nature. Deep ecologists encourage humanity to shift away from
anthropocentrism to ecocentrism.
 Social Ecology- ecological crisis results from authoritarian social
structures,destroying nature is a reflection wherein few people overpower others while
exploiting the environment for profit or self- interest.
 Ecofeminism- ecological crisis is a consequence of male dominance, whatever
is “superior” is entitled to whatever is “inferior.” Domination works by forcing the other to
conform to what is superior.

What can I do to uphold environmentalism and care for nature?


One of the major concepts that drive environmentalism is sustainability or
sustainable development. This concept focuses on reconciling human activities and
economic development with the protection of the environment. One of the major ideas
sustainability is that we must make wise decision regarding the use of natural resources
to ensure that there is still enough left for future use.
Sustainability relies on the three important principle:
 Environmental integrity- refers to maintaining the state of the environment. This
means that human activities should not unduly disrupt the ecosystems and human
communities located in the area. Care should be taken that the surrounding landscape
is not drastically impacted by human activities.
 Economic Efficiency- refers to prudence in decision- making regarding the use
of resources to ensure that there is minimum to zero waste.
 Equity- demands that we use our natural resources in such a manner that these
are conserved so that the next generation will be use them.
The values of prudence and frugality can guide us in our own personal use of
resources.
Prudence- is the ability to regulate one’s actions and behaviour.
Frugality- is being thrifty with the use of one’s resources. Reflect on how you have
being using resources at home and in School.
Functions of Fromm’s Envisioned society
 The willingness to give up all forms of having, in order to fully be.
 Being fully present where one is.
 Trying to reduce greed, hate, and illusions as much as one is capable.
 Making the full growth of oneself and one of one’s fellow beings as the supreme
goal of living.
 Not deceiving others, but also not being deceived by others; one may be called
innocent, but not naïve.
 Freedom that is not arbitrariness but the possibility to be oneself, not as a bundle
of greedy desires, but as delicately balanced structure.

As human persons, it is our responsibility to treat with respect not only our fellow
humans, but also everything in our world. Upholding environmentalism and
sustainability will enable us to take the first step in addressing environmental issues and
contribute to solving the greater environmental challenge of climate change.

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