Exploiting the Future: Prioritizing Economics Over Ecology? - Essay Sample

Introduction

National governments choose to exploit the future by prioritizing economic benefits and leaving disastrous implications for the later generations, "tyranny of the contemporary" (Gardiner 2). A single decision by an individual landowner or political verdict creates a butterfly effect of chaos if the decision overlooks the existence of an ecological conscience. The decision-making process presents a moral question on whether potential economic gains are significant without the consideration of long-term climatic effects that threaten the survival of humans. Environmental conservation is an individual responsibility which requires cooperation within the community. The moral evaluation of the problem reveals the role of the society in promoting the catastrophic changes, and thus should find alternative solutions to reverse the effects (Gardiner 2). However, the search for alternative solutions generates a further ethical dilemma because of the socio-economic implications caused by new environmental policies.

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Ethical Problem

The tyranny of the contemporary by state governments and landowners is responsible for causing climate change. The community, however, has to protect and conserve the ecology for the future. It is unethical for the perpetrators to only focus on self-economic development and for the victims to do nothing about the problem. The first step is acknowledging the problem, then finding alternative solutions, and finally formulating and executing policies to solve the problem (Gardiner 2). For example, global warming is a current world-known disaster. Nonetheless, people are not doing much to reduce carbon emissions, raising ethical questions on the roles of humans to heal the ecosystem.

Some nations decided on drafting their own environmental conservation rules based on their self-interest (Leopold 24). The decision to take responsibility was a bold move, but most of the countries targeted domestic economic growth, putting the future of the world at risk. In a short period, the exploitation of the environment for raw materials boosted their economy and improved their standards of living hence justifying their choices. In the long run, climatic changes will manifest after decades risking the safety of the country and world at large.

Years after the industrial revolution, people moved into the Mississippi valley in search of fertile land for grazing (Leopold 23). The settlement in forests trend continued all over the world and is still ongoing till date. Individuals see forests as a property with no obligations to maintain. Therefore, humans exploit land resources without considering the ecosystem requires a balance for the co-existence of all species. Land resources are essential for human survival and should be maintained to protect the future of the world.

The exploitation of forests has led to wastelands that have no economic valuation. These lands also include polluted water bodies and animal species that cannot add any economic development to the nation. The assessment of a region according to the profits it produces is wrong as the area serves a purpose in the ecosystem. Human should also take responsibility for their action and maintain or restore damaged areas after exploitation.

Role of a Forester

The climatic changes are an evolutionary possibility and ecological necessity for the human environment (Leopold 26). Thus, the land, comprised of soil, water, plants and animals are more than just property and should be conserved. Ethics limit our freedom of action while maintaining balance in a community. The duty to cooperate with ethics lies upon every individual in a society. Economic-minded members of the community need to know the value of the land and the biotic species.

As a forester, I must maintain and preserve land currently and for the future. Foresters have a responsibility to promote management that ensures the long-term provision of value to landowners and society ("Code of Ethics"). With the current state of the world, the forest cover is diminishing, leaving wastelands with no economic value. Reforestation of deserted lands will increase the forest cover and reduce the carbon production in the region. Reclamation of polluted land resources such as soil and water bodies using natural biological agents will heal the land and offer new resources to the community.

People are only concerned about things they believe hence providing them with accurate and transparent information is necessary to promote ethics of environmental conservation. Foresters advocate for management that maintains a quality standard and should always inform landowners when they deviate from those standards and the consequences of their actions ("Code of Ethics"). I would develop a conservation program to educate the public on how to maintain natural resources. The program will also ensure the regulation of the implemented policies and offer necessary assistance when needed.

As a forester, I should only promote public policy about forests based on both scientific principles and societal values ("Code of Ethics"). Therefore, I must use my professional skills to help in finding the best alternative solutions to our current climatic problems. Amend any misleading policies and correct untrue statements about the forest. The public should have a good understanding of what is required to conserve the land to ensure cooperation in the fight against climatic changes. Appropriate policies will regulate the maintenance of the ecosystem as all involved parties know their roles and the consequences if they fail to do their duty.

Moral Controversies of Policies

The role of environmental policies is to guide landowners and public on their duties to conserve the ecology consistently (Leopold 21). Nations formulate regulations with the help of scientific professionals to solve a problem. With every action expect a reaction, these policies require sacrifice and determination to serve the greater good, which is the availability of renewable resources in the future; thus, poses some potential controversies among involved parties.

For example, we can take a step back and do nothing about climate change at this time until we can learn more about the real effects. Nations will have ample time to explore possible solutions and implement the most effective option because they would be well informed on the problem. Landowners will have a chance to use the full potential of land resources, which will improve the economy. However, climate change is a progressive disaster; hence the effect is already in action, and stepping back will only worsen the problem. The decisions of the current generation might not impact the environment during their lifetime, but the future will suffer the consequences.

In the fight against global warming, nations proposed a policy that requires all countries to reduce their carbon emissions by 50% in the next ten years (Gardiner 2). The regulation will significantly reduce carbon emissions worldwide, which will in turn cause restoration of the ozone layer. The effects of global warming would deteriorate due to a healing ozone layer. On the other hand, the policy raises concerns on social and economic implications. People will have to adjust to new ways of living such as transportation, and some industries will shut down, leading to loss of employment. Furthermore, the ten years of reduced emissions will not eliminate the global warming problem.

Countries should implement a national policy where the state government is the sole owner of the land and all its resources. Therefore, restricting the public from owning farmland and only paying monthly taxes for maintenance. Corporations that develop an industry should, however, face strict regulations. First and foremost, the project should have a positive impact on the lives of citizens in the area and not just self-economic value. Then, the industry should provide a proposed system that will maintain the natural resources and treatment of wastes to ensure zero pollution of the environment. Last but not least, the company should contribute to a national conservation program annually to promote regeneration of affected areas. Having the government as the single owner of the natural resources means efficient regulation of environmental policies without ethical dilemmas.

Conclusion

Policies play a vital role in the regulation of actions in our society. However, the implementation creates a moral dilemma of what is right or wrong; the bigger picture is to secure a healthier future environment. Humans should not act as conquerors, and therefore not view land as a property to exploit. They should be members of an ecological co-existence of all species.

Works Cited

"Code of Ethics." 2016, doi: 7ab00631-be80-43ff-8089-8cc2f6e2c50d. Accessed 4 May 2020.

Gardiner, Stephen. "Why Climate Change Is an Ethical Problem." The Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2016, www.washingtonpost.com/news/in-theory/wp/2016/01/09/why-climate-change-is-an-ethical-problem/. Accessed 4 May 2020.

Leopold, Aldo. A Sand County Almanac: Essays on Conservation. Oxford University Press, 2001.