1400111011 Environmental Ethics Lecture Notes PDF

Lecture9 Environmental Ethics 1400111011 Introduction to Engineering and Ethics Asst. Prof. Mete Öğüç Introduction to Environmental Ethics Environmental Ethics studies moral issues concerning the environment. It combines economic realism with ecologi...

Lecture9 Environmental Ethics 1400111011 Introduction to Engineering and Ethics Asst. Prof. Mete Öğüç Introduction to Environmental Ethics Environmental Ethics studies moral issues concerning the environment. It combines economic realism with ecological awareness. Engineers play a critical role in advancing ecological awareness. Began in the 1960s and 70s, influenced by Rachel Carson's *Silent Spring*. Earth Day in 1970 brought public awareness to environmental issues. Led to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1400111011 | Introduction to Engineering and Ethics | 2024-2025 Fall | Asst. Prof. Mete Öğüç Introduction to Environmental Ethics Environmental Ethics studies moral issues concerning the environment. It combines economic realism with ecological awareness. Engineers play a critical role in advancing ecological awareness. Began in the 1960s and 70s, influenced by Rachel Carson's *Silent Spring*. Earth Day in 1970 brought public awareness to environmental issues. Led to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1400111011 | Introduction to Engineering and Ethics | 2024-2025 Fall | Asst. Prof. Mete Öğüç Life Cycle Analyis (LCA) A cradle-to-grave analysis of a product's environmental impact, covering extraction, manufacture, use, and disposal. Helps engineers minimize environmental harm during manufacturing. Key phases: Goal & Scope Definition: Establishing objectives, boundaries, and metrics for the analysis. Inventory Analysis: Collecting data on energy, materials, and emissions associated with each life cycle stage. Impact Assessment: Evaluating potential environmental impacts using categories like carbon footprint, water use, and toxicity. Interpretation: Analyzing results to identify improvements and support decision- making. 1400111011 | Introduction to Engineering and Ethics | 2024-2025 Fall | Asst. Prof. Mete Öğüç Environmental Law and Policy Key legislation includes the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Mandates Environmental Impact Assessments for federal projects. Pollution Prevention Act emphasizes reducing pollutants at their source. 1400111011 | Introduction to Engineering and Ethics | 2024-2025 Fall | Asst. Prof. Mete Öğüç Sustainability Sustainability emphasizes meeting current needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs. The Brundtland Report highlights economic growth and environmental protection. Focuses on balancing economic growth and environmental conservation. Highlights intra-generational and intergenerational justice. Approaches like cradle-to-grave and cradle-to-cradle design. Integrating sustainability into engineering practices and education. Prominent organizations: Engineers for a Sustainable World. 1400111011 | Introduction to Engineering and Ethics | 2024-2025 Fall | Asst. Prof. Mete Öğüç Business and Sustainability The Tragedy of the Commons: Garrett Hardin's metaphor illustrates the overuse of shared resources, leading to degradation. Sustainable management is essential to prevent this. Engineers must integrate environmental values into their designs and promote corporate and public policies that align with sustainable development. Corporations adopt progressive environmental policies for reputation and profit. Programs like 3M's Pollution Prevention Pays (3P) illustrate effective strategies. Principles include sustainable resource use and Environmental restoration. 1400111011 | Introduction to Engineering and Ethics | 2024-2025 Fall | Asst. Prof. Mete Öğüç Moral Foundations of Environmental Responsibility Utilitarianism: Balancing benefits for present and future generations. Respect for Persons: Ensuring equitable resource use across societies. Virtue Ethics: Encouraging care and respect for the natural world. 1400111011 | Introduction to Engineering and Ethics | 2024-2025 Fall | Asst. Prof. Mete Öğüç Environmental Moral Frameworks Human-Centered Ethics: Focuses on benefits to humans, emphasizing survival and aesthetic values.Respect for Persons: Ensuring equitable resource use across societies. Religious and Cultural Perspectives: Explores stewardship in Judeo-Christian traditions, unity in Asian religions, and ecofeminist views. Nature-Centered Ethics: Sentient-Centered: Advocates for the inherent worth of conscious animals. Biocentric: Emphasizes all life forms having intrinsic value (e.g., Schweitzer’s reverence for life). Ecocentric: Promotes the health of ecosystems (e.g., Aldo Leopold’s land ethic). 1400111011 | Introduction to Engineering and Ethics | 2024-2025 Fall | Asst. Prof. Mete Öğüç Challenges in Sustainable Development Tension between economic growth and environmental conservation. Difficulties in population control and changing consumption habits. Engineers' role in promoting sustainable technologies. 1400111011 | Introduction to Engineering and Ethics | 2024-2025 Fall | Asst. Prof. Mete Öğüç Conclusion Environmental ethics integrates engineering, ecology, and economics. Sustainability requires collaboration among engineers, businesses, and policymakers. Engineers must cultivate respect for nature and engage in environment- friendly practices. 1400111011 | Introduction to Engineering and Ethics | 2024-2025 Fall | Asst. Prof. Mete Öğüç