Ethical Frameworks in Environmental Decision-Making

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A human-centred worldview that values nature primarily for its usefulness to humans. Nature is seen as a resource to be managed for human benefit.

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The right action produces the greatest good for the greatest number. Environmental decisions should maximise overall welfare — weigh costs vs benefits for all affected.

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The principle that current generations have a responsibility to ensure future generations can meet their needs. High discount rates in economics undermine this principle.

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Anthropocentric: nature for human use. Ecocentric: all life has intrinsic value. Technocentric: technology solves environmental problems.

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An ecosystem-centred worldview that gives intrinsic value to all living things and ecological systems. Nature has value in itself, not just for human use.

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Utilitarian: "What produces the most good?" Deontological: "What is my duty?" Virtue: "What would a good person do?"

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Some actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of consequences. Humans may have a moral duty to protect the environment regardless of economic cost.

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1) Present vs future generations. 2) Local development vs global protection. 3) Indigenous rights vs national priorities. 4) Individual freedom vs collective responsibility. 5) Rich nations' history vs developing nations' right to grow.

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Different ethical frameworks lead to different conclusions. An anthropocentrist may support a dam for energy; an ecocentrist may oppose it for river ecosystem rights.

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Focuses on the character of the decision-maker. A virtuous person would show care, responsibility, and respect for nature in their choices.

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Utilitarian: if restricting reduces suffering globally, yes. But equity lens says: rich nations caused the problem — developing nations have a right to grow. Fairness requires differentiated responsibility.

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A worldview that believes technology and human innovation can solve environmental problems. Optimistic about human ability to manage and fix ecological issues.

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Anthropocentric: conserve forests for timber, medicine, recreation, carbon storage — human benefits. Ecocentric: forests have a right to exist regardless of human use — intrinsic value.

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Utilitarian: if benefits (clean energy, jobs) outweigh costs (habitat loss), then build it. Deontological: if species have a right to exist, damming may be wrong regardless of benefits.

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Sustainable development IS intergenerational equity in action — meeting present needs without compromising future generations. Both require long-term thinking over short-term gains.

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High discount rates make future environmental damage seem unimportant in present-value terms, effectively valuing current needs far above future generations' wellbeing.

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Anthropocentrism, ecocentrism, technocentrism, utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics. Plus: intergenerational equity and common but differentiated responsibility.

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The principle that all nations share responsibility for the environment, but wealthy nations that historically emitted more should bear greater costs of addressing problems like climate change.

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Apply at least two different frameworks to the same issue and compare conclusions. Show how different starting points lead to different decisions.

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Technology can solve it: carbon capture, geoengineering, nuclear power, renewable energy innovation. Human ingenuity will find solutions without sacrificing economic growth.