Environmental Ethics

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Environmental Ethics |

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COM 150 |

Sharon Crock-Raby |

1/17/2010 |

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Does the human race have an ethical obligation to the natural world? Should humans feel as if they have the right to absorb all of the resources on earth for their own use? Do other species have the right to exist in their natural habitat? Or do human beings have an ethical obligation to preserve the natural world? Even though the rise in the population requires for additional land space, in order to preserve the environment there must be changes made with social choices, governmental policies and the ways in which business and industry operate. The wasteful ways in which people live destroy the environment, and educating people on ways to improve the environment will allow for a better life for all species.

There are several factors that play a role in the preservation in the environment, government, businesses and individuals all have roles in the preservation and conservation of environmental issues. The government has a responsibility in the formulations of an effective policy that aids in environmental awareness. Currently, there are laws set in place for different environmental situations; however, there must be consequences for noncompliance. For instance, cruise ships are responsible for waste dumping in the ocean. According to one site, “Currently, lax state and federal laws allow cruise ships to dump untreated sewage from toilets once the ship is three mile from shore” (Protecting the World’s Oceans, 2009, Para. #1). This places the coastal environment and marine life in risk of direct contact of bacteria that will eventually end up on the dinner table of many people. Unlike cities and industries that are required to retain a permit in order to discharge of waste, cruise ships are not held to the same standards. Americans are in need of programs on information pertaining to environmental awareness. Programs that educated people of the damaging...