Protecting Nature: Challenges of Conservation Ethics - Essay Sample

Introduction

Conceptualization of nature in terms of our benefits will involve doing one of the following; protecting nature less effectively and impede the development of a thriving ethic of conservation where we protect nature for its own sake. Relying on conservation ethics in protecting nature is full of practical and conceptual problems. For example, relying on the traditional intrinsic explanations involves numerous flaws as they have nothing to do with the land being protected, human preferences, and cultural elements. Probably, many ecological mistakes will be made when we rely on this idea. The fact that land has its right to exist will likely be unconsidered.

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Utilitarianism, as a form of consequentialism, is an ethical theory based on ideas that individuals should focus on the best overall outcome. This is after taking into consideration all the parties that stand to be affected by the decisions being made. Utilitarian prefer to minimize pain and frustration while maximizing the desired satisfaction even to the natural resources. A Utilitarian would argue that land also stands to be protected, and its exploitation is a harmful practice to all those influenced by the activities carried on the land.

On utilitarian grounds, conservation of natural resources is justified if the benefits extend to the benefits to be enjoyed by human society. Benefits and costs are the basis upon which conservation efforts based on utilitarian grounds can be assessed. Conservation of the university lands provides direct and obvious benefits to many individuals in society; this means these are natural resources in the traditional sense.

A utilitarian will probably think that the area should be only used when there is maximum satisfaction to all the parties involved in the decisions to be made regarding the land. A utilitarian would propose discontinuation of the leases to the oil and gas company as the resulting sand; oak dunes might be harmful to the broader public and the university as well. The utilitarian approach towards the area will affect my goals as a stakeholder for the simulation in several ways. My intention to ensure the university continues leasing some of its lands as this a reliable stream of income for the university will be affected.

Since the time for reaching agreements is limited, and other stakeholder's information is limited, the decisions are pure to be made by me. A utilitarian approach will affect my goals since there is a need to evaluate all the consequences tom the parties affected. This will hinder timely decision making, which might inconvenience the universities and the companies that have leased the lands. As a stakeholder representing the university, I have to prioritize the interest of the university. Part of the land belonging to the university is useful as it is being used for gas and oil extraction as a source of income.

The land which provides many benefits to the university is likely to be the one they are directly investing in oil and gas extraction. As a stakeholder, I would provide a short proposal that will provide benefits to the other stakeholders that I represent. Listing of all the possible stakeholders that will be affected by any interventions in the area, this will ensure I do not leave any stakeholder's interests unconsidered. My proposal will also identify all the stakeholder's problems, potential roles they could play as well as their interests in relation to the university's affairs and the land in the discussion.

I will have to decide that stakeholders who will be allowed to take part in the activities carried out in the land and also the level at which they will be placed. A useful tool to consider in the creation of a proposal to ensure the benefit of other stakeholders is the SWOT analysis (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threats). This means that the university will have strengths upon which they can maximize their potential in achieving its objectives. Weaknesses need to be well considered to ensure no wrong decision is made, such as investing when it is not appropriate. I will ensure that the threats posing the implementation of my plans are dealt with promptly. Opportunities that might strike the university in our case include great offers of the land due to its demand and potential provision of natural human resources. I would propose to maximize the utilization of the land the university uses as a source of income through the extraction of oil and gas.

My position will be playing the role of a stakeholder. Due to the limited time of reaching into agreements with the stakeholders and the information about them being incomplete, my position will be to make decisions on behalf of other stakeholders that I represent. Proper planning of the region will prove to be of many economic benefits to the university and also protect the local people from dunes. I will propose regulations in the activities of the oil and gas company's operations, which will ensure the locals are protected from dangerous dunes. The university's activities will also need to be maximized to ensure they make the best use of their natural resources to increase their income and increase the economic incentives.

The proper implementation of the above-discussed plans will ensure massive economic growth among the locals and the university. This will be as a result of adequately planned exploitation of the available natural resources. Proper assessment of other company's activities and regulations of both the company and the university's operations of gas and oil mining will be excellent protection of the inhabitants.