Sustainability

and Human
Values
GINNO JHEP ACAS PACQUING
INSTRUCTOR
 Human Use of the Earth

Learning objectives
1. Define sustainable development;
2. Outline some of the complexities associated with the
concept of sustainable consumption;
3. Contrast voluntary simplicity and technological
progress;
 Human Use of the Earth

Sustainable development can be defined

as development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs.
Sustainable development is an economic growth that
meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Sustainable development can occur only within the limits
of the environment.
> live within these limits,
> population growth must be held at a level that
we can sustain, and
> identify ways to maintain our high standard of living
while consuming far fewer
resources.
 Three factors of Sustainable
Development
> environmentally sound decisions,
> economically viable decisions, and
socially equitable decisions
> interact to promote sustainable
development.
Sustainable consumption is a use of goods and
services that satisfy basic human needs and
improve the quality of life but that also minimize
resource use.
> Factors that affect sustainable consumption
include population, economic activities,
technology choices, social values, personal
preferences, and government policies.
People must have embraced a type of sustainable consumption
known as voluntary simplicity.
> It recognizes that individual happiness and quality of life are
not necessarily linked to the accumulation of material goods.
> People who embrace voluntary simplicity recognize that a
person’s values and character define that individual more
than how many things he or she owns.
> scientists and population experts increasingly advocate a
shift to sustainable consumption now, before it is forced
on us by an environmentally degraded, resource-depleted
world.
> promote sustainable consumption include switching from
motor vehicles to public transport and bicycles and developing
durable, repairable, recyclable products
> people adopt new lifestyles.
Technological progress represents a promising opportunity for
maintaining high standards of living while using fewer
resources.
> example : the transition from incandescent light bulbs to
compact fluorescent light bulbs and light-emitting diodes
(LEDs).
> shifts are driven by both policy and economics.
> long-term involvement in the condition of the world must
start with individuals—our values, attitudes, and practices.
 Human Values and Environmental
Problems
Learning objectives

1. Define environmental ethics.

2. Discuss distinguishing features of the Western
and deep ecology worldviews.
Ethics is the branch of philosophy that is derived
through the logical application of human values.
Environmental ethics is a field of applied ethics
that considers the moral basis of environmental
responsibility.
> Environmental ethics considers not only the
rights of people living today, both individually and
collectively, but also the rights of future
generations.
Worldviews
Environmental worldview is a worldview based on how the
environment works, our place in the environment, and
right and wrong environmental behaviors.
Western worldview is a worldview based on human
superiority over nature, the unrestricted use of natural
resources, and economic growth to manage an expanding
industrial base.
Deep ecology worldview is a worldview based on
harmony with nature, a spiritual respect for life, and the
belief that humans and all other species have an equal
worth.
Western worldview is anthropocentric - emphasizes the importance of humans
as the overriding concern in the grand scheme of things.

Deep ecology worldview is biocentric- views humans as one species among

others.
 The principles of deep ecology, as expressed by Arne Naess in Ecology,
Community and Lifestyle

1. Both human and nonhuman life have intrinsic value. The

value of nonhuman life forms is independent of the
usefulness they may have for narrow human purposes.
2. Richness and diversity of life forms contribute to the
flourishing of human and nonhuman life on Earth.
3. Humans have no right to reduce this richness and
diversity except to satisfy vital needs.
4. Present human interference with the nonhuman world
is excessive, and the situation is rapidly worsening.
 The principles of deep ecology, as expressed by Arne Naess in Ecology,
Community and Lifestyle

5. The flourishing of human life and cultures is compatible

with a substantial decrease in the human population. The
flourishing of nonhuman life requires such a decrease.
6. Improving human well-being requires economic,
technological, and ideological changes.
7. The ideological change is mainly that high quality of
life need not be synonymous with high levels of
consumption.
8. Those who subscribe to the foregoing points have an
obligation to participate in the attempt to implement the
necessary changes.
 Environmental Justice
Learning Objective

1. Define environmental justice.

 Environmental Justice

Environmental justice is the right of every citizen to

adequate protection from environmental hazards.
> Environmental policy decisions such as where to locate a
hazardous waste landfill have important ethical dimensions.
The most basic ethical dilemma centers on the rights of the
poor and disenfranchised versus the rights of the rich and
powerful. Whose rights should have priority in these
decisions? Is it ethically just if environmental burdens and
benefits are not equally shared?
 Plan for Sustainable Living

1. Eliminate poverty and stabilize the human

population.
2. Protect and restore Earth’s resources.
3. Provide adequate food for all people.
4. Mitigate climate change.
5. Design sustainable cities.
 Eliminate poverty and stabilize the human
population.
➢ The ultimate goal of economic development is to make it
possible for humans throughout the world to enjoy longand
healthy lives.
➢ Carrying capacity is the maximum population that can be
sustained by a given environment or by the world as a
whole.
 Protect and
Restore Earth’s Resources

➢ World’s Forests
➢ Loss of Biodiversity
> Biological diversity is the number and variety of Earth’s
organisms.
> Cultural diversity is Earth’s variety of human
communities, each with its individual languages, traditions,
and identities.
 Provide Adequate
Food for All People
➢ Food insecurity is he condition in which people live with
chronic hunger and malnutrition
➢ Multi-cropping
➢ The negative environmental effects of agriculture,
including loss of soil fertility, soil erosion, aquifer
depletion, and soil, water, and air pollution
➢ A strategy exists to retard the loss of topsoil, conserve
water, conserve energy, and reduce the use of agricultural
chemicals. For example, in conservation tillage, residues
from previous crops are left in the soil, partially covering it
and helping to hold topsoil in place.
 Mitigate Climate
Change
➢ Enhanced greenhouse effect is the additional warming
produced by increased levels of gases that absorb infrared
radiation.
➢ Climate scientists generally agree that Earth’s climate will
continue to change rapidly during the 21st century.
➢ Climate changes affect humans directly, as well as other
organisms we rely on for food and other goods and services.
➢ Stabilizing the climate requires a comprehensive energy plan to
include phasing out fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy,
conserving energy, and improving energy efficiency.
 Design Sustainable Cities

➢ City planners around the world are trying a variety

of approaches to make cities more livable.
➢ Developing urban transportation systems- Urban
transportation ranges from mass transit subways
and light rail systems to pedestrian and bicycle
pathways.
➢ Provide the basics needs such clean water
Thank you...
God bless….
Keep safe…..