Basic Philosophical Elements and Issues of the Environment

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Basic Philosophical Elements and Issues of the
Environment

• The Litany
• Global Problems
• Global Warming - Warmest Years on Record
• Ozone Depletion - Big Hole in Atmosphere
• Species Decimation
• Regional Problems
• Deforestation
• Acid Rain
• Water Pollution - Rivers, Lakes
• Local Problems
• Pesticides - Hazardous Materials
• Waste Disposal

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Basic Philosophical Elements and Issues of the
Environment

• Are these concerns realistic?
• Are some more realistic than others?
• How serious are they?
• What are some example implications for business?
  For these problems?

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Changes in the Environment The Master Equation
EI Environmental Impact GDP Gross Domestic
Product Population Population
Concerns GDP/PERSON Affluence Concerns EI/Unit
of Per Capita GDP Technological Concerns
What Alternatives Exist to Manage EI Here? What
areas Does Commoner think we should focus
upon? Paul Ehrlich?
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Environmental Consciousness

• What is mans role with nature?
• Take Dominion over it? Dualistic?
• What is meant by that?
• Nature exists to serve humans
• anthropomorphic view
• is environment in profit equation?
• In calculation of national accounts?
• Linear Design of production.
• What is it and why might it no longer be
  applicable?

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Tragedy of the Commons

• What are the commons?
• What is the tragedy?
• How does it work with the economic principles?
• What are Hardins solutions?
• Do you agree?
• Will they work?

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Stages of Environmental Concern

• Conservation
• Use resources wisely - natures utility is in its
  service to humans
• Preservation
• Leave certain areas alone - nature has intrinsic
  value
• Protection
• pollution control - protect humans
• Sustainability
• global perspective, sustainable growth (pg.
  17), and equity.
• What is the basic theory behind equity and
  sustainability?

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The End of Nature

• Nature can no longer take care of itself

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Ecology

• Systems thinking - Holistic outlook.
• Systems have
• inputs, transformations, outputs, feedback.
• Decompositional characteristics.

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Ecology

• Systems example
• Eco system Figure 2.1, closed or open system?
• Is there an Business Analogy to this system?

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Ecology

• Analysis and evaluation can be carried out at
  many levels
• Individual Organism
• Population (individuals of same species)
• Community
• Ecosystem - non-biological (abiotic) integration.
• Biomes - grouping of ecosystems
• Analogy to organizations and business?