Module 2 Environmental Ethics & Justice BCN 1582 International Sustainable Development

Terminology and Concepts-Module 1 Terminology(definitions) Sustainable development Capital, Natural Capital, Human Capital Design for the Environment (DFE) Industrial Ecology and Metabolism Construction Ecology and Metabolism IPAT Rule of 72 Anthropocentric, gaia Dematerialization, deenergization, decarbonization, detoxification Alternative indices to GNP: ISEW, GPI, HDI Hubbert’s Curve and Hubbert’s Pimple Ecological Footprint Ecological Rucksack Factor 4 and Factor 10

Terminology(definitions)

Sustainable development

Capital, Natural Capital, Human Capital

Design for the Environment (DFE)

Industrial Ecology and Metabolism

Construction Ecology and Metabolism

IPAT

Rule of 72

Anthropocentric, gaia

Dematerialization, deenergization, decarbonization, detoxification

Alternative indices to GNP: ISEW, GPI, HDI

Hubbert’s Curve and Hubbert’s Pimple

Ecological Footprint

Ecological Rucksack

Factor 4 and Factor 10

Concepts Sustainable development and its 3 subsystems Problems with GNP as a measure of “welfare Role of environment in economy Worth of Natural Capital to the economy IPAT concept Population and consumption are the main impediments to sustainability Closing loops New Economy: closed materials loops (waste if food!) and solar-powered

Sustainable development and its 3 subsystems

Problems with GNP as a measure of “welfare

Role of environment in economy

Worth of Natural Capital to the economy

IPAT concept

Population and consumption are the main impediments to sustainability

Closing loops

New Economy: closed materials loops (waste if food!) and solar-powered

Basic numbers Economy World’s economy: $17 trillion Natural Capital contribution: $33 trillion Population 6 billion people Growth rate: 1.7%/year Waste 1million pounds of waste/person/year in the U.S. 6 lbs/ft2 of construction waste 70 lbs/ft2 of renovation waste Only 1% of extracted resources are in productive use within 1 year Construction Uses 40% of all extracted resources in U.S. Built environment uses 30% of U.S. energy 90% of all extracted resources are stored in the built environment

Economy

World’s economy: $17 trillion

Natural Capital contribution: $33 trillion

Population

6 billion people

Growth rate: 1.7%/year

Waste

1million pounds of waste/person/year in the U.S.

6 lbs/ft2 of construction waste

70 lbs/ft2 of renovation waste

Only 1% of extracted resources are in productive use within 1 year

Construction

Uses 40% of all extracted resources in U.S.

Built environment uses 30% of U.S. energy

90% of all extracted resources are stored in the built environment

Overview Introduction What does ethics mean? Why do we need ethics? Ethical subsections Environmental ethics Major problems resulting from an “anthropocentric” value system How can we overcome these problems The Biophilia Hypothesis Conclusions

Introduction

What does ethics mean?

Why do we need ethics?

Ethical subsections

Environmental ethics

Major problems resulting from an “anthropocentric” value system

How can we overcome these problems

The Biophilia Hypothesis

Conclusions

What Does Ethics Mean? Dictionary: “ A discipline dealing with what is good and bad, with moral duty and obligation”

Dictionary:

“ A discipline dealing with what is good and bad, with moral duty and obligation”

Why Do We Need Ethics? To establish a sense of right and wrong at every level of society: - individual - communal - organizational - national - global

To establish a sense of right and wrong at every level of society:

- individual

- communal

- organizational

- national

- global

Ethics is the preferable way society can achieve the “right” decisions without having to use - codes - laws - courts - diplomacy - boycott - physical force

Ethics is the preferable way society can achieve the “right” decisions without having to use

- codes

- laws

- courts

- diplomacy

- boycott

- physical force

Ethical Subsections Social Ethics Ethics which guides human behavior towards each other Professional Ethics Ethics which guides professionals within its group and toward society Environmental Ethics Ethics which guides human behavior towards the earth

Social Ethics

Ethics which guides human behavior towards each other

Professional Ethics

Ethics which guides professionals within its group and toward society

Environmental Ethics

Ethics which guides human behavior towards the earth

Environmental Ethical Value Systems Biocentrism Ecocentrism Anthropocentrism

Biocentrism

Ecocentrism

Anthropocentrism

Biocentrism 1. Humans are members of the Earth’s community 2. All species are integral elements in a system of interdependence 3. All organisms are centers of life, each pursuing its own good 4. Humans are not inherently superior to other living things

1. Humans are members of the Earth’s community

2. All species are integral elements in a system of interdependence

3. All organisms are centers of life, each pursuing its own good

4. Humans are not inherently superior to other living things

Ecocentrism Expansion of biocentrism by including abiotic components of the environment. It cares less about individual life forms but emphasizes interaction between them and fosters a system approach

Expansion of biocentrism by including abiotic components of the environment. It cares less about individual life forms but emphasizes interaction between them and fosters a system approach

Anthropocentrism Emphasizes human domination over nature and views non-human environment as a bundle of natural resources to be managed and exploited for maximal human gain. The ecosystems have only instrumental value, not intrinsic worth.

Emphasizes human domination over nature and views non-human environment as a bundle of natural resources to be managed and exploited for maximal human gain. The ecosystems have only instrumental value, not intrinsic worth.

Commonalties All three value systems have the human stewardship for the natural world in common, however they different sharply for whom they do it.

All three value systems have the human stewardship for the natural world in common, however they different sharply for whom they do it.

The Two Main Problems Resulting From a Anthropocentic Value System Overpopulation Preoccupation with possession, power and ambition

Overpopulation

Preoccupation with possession, power and ambition

Why do we feel we need more children? Cultural Lack of education Sense of power for men Sense of security in old age

Cultural

Lack of education

Sense of power for men

Sense of security in old age

Why do we feel we need more stuff Status Missing non-material goals and spiritual values in life Disconnection of humans from the natural world media manipulation

Status

Missing non-material goals and spiritual values in life

Disconnection of humans from the natural world

media manipulation

Could Technological and Legal Fixes Make Sustainable Ethics Unnecessary? A Population Growth: Forced sterilization and other methods of birth control have not worked Taxation or loss of subsidies had moderate success Economic growth had moderate success

A Population Growth:

Forced sterilization and other methods of birth control have not worked

Taxation or loss of subsidies had moderate success

Economic growth had moderate success

B. Consumption - taxes are partially effective (petroleum price in Europe vs. USA) - some business are in the process of changing their business goals from making profit for any price to becoming a responsible player together with government, communities and environment. - many initiatives towards sustainability are currently undermined by seemingly overwhelming economic global forces of liberalization, deregulation, homogenization and globalization.

B. Consumption

- taxes are partially effective (petroleum price in Europe vs. USA)

- some business are in the process of changing their business goals from making profit for any price to becoming a responsible player together with government, communities and environment.

- many initiatives towards sustainability are currently undermined by seemingly overwhelming economic global forces of liberalization, deregulation, homogenization and globalization.

Can we fix our ecological and social problems by a spiritual approach? - Living in closer intimacy to the natural world - Being more aware of our kinship and interdependence to nature - Emphasizing within our churches the primary manifestation of the divine in the natural world and de-emphasize the view that we are “only passing through”. - Abandoning our anthropocentric view of the world

- Living in closer intimacy to the natural world

- Being more aware of our kinship and interdependence to nature

- Emphasizing within our churches the primary manifestation of the divine in the natural world and de-emphasize the view that we are “only passing through”.

- Abandoning our anthropocentric view of the world

How Could “It” Work Adopt ecocentric values personally within a community within a country internationally

Adopt ecocentric values

personally

within a community

within a country

internationally

Personally Adopt a set of values (e.g.) Apply these sets of values in once personal, professional and civic life Re-connect emotionally to the natural world Live simply so others may simply live Welcome opportunity to conserve the earth’s recourses Work in multi-stakeholder groups for an alternative local economy and community

Adopt a set of values (e.g.)

Apply these sets of values in once personal, professional and civic life

Re-connect emotionally to the natural world

Live simply so others may simply live

Welcome opportunity to conserve the earth’s recourses

Work in multi-stakeholder groups for an alternative local economy and community

Business Determine the moral responsibilities to other life forms in our economic activities. Define an universal business ethic Companies should adopt and live by a set of principles such as Valdez, Hannover, Copernicus, Natural Step) Make the transition from an extractive economy to an organic economy. Increase efficiency (Factor 10) and design for zero discharge.

Determine the moral responsibilities to other life forms in our economic activities.

Define an universal business ethic

Companies should adopt and live by a set of principles such as Valdez, Hannover, Copernicus, Natural Step)

Make the transition from an extractive economy to an organic economy.

Increase efficiency (Factor 10) and design for zero discharge.

Community, Nation and International Incorporate our moral concept of justice applicable to human interaction with non-human life forms and their eco-system. Change justice system to protect the natural world besides guaranteeing democracy, individual freedom and rights to property Institute multi-stakeholder groups for an alternative local economy and community

Incorporate our moral concept of justice applicable to human interaction with non-human life forms and their eco-system.

Change justice system to protect the natural world besides guaranteeing democracy, individual freedom and rights to property

Institute multi-stakeholder groups for an alternative local economy and community

Environmental Justice What Is Environmental Justice? The EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice defines Environmental Justice as: The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Fair treatment means that no group of people, including racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic group should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or the execution of federal, state, local, and tribal programs and policies.

Community planning models include: Mapping completely the capacities and assets of individuals, citizens’ associations, and local institutions; Building relationships among local assets for mutually beneficial problem-solving within the community; Mobilizing the community’s assets fully for economic development and information sharing purposes; Convening as broadly representative a group as possible for the purposes of building a community vision and plan; Leveraging activities, investments and resources from outside the community to support asset-based, locally-defined development. Strategies for Community Participation Source: John Kretzmann and John L. McKnight, Building Communities From The Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing A Community’s Assets , Chicago: Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Research, Neighborhood Innovations Network, Northwestern University, 1993.

Community planning models include:

Mapping completely the capacities and assets of individuals, citizens’ associations, and local institutions;

Building relationships among local assets for mutually beneficial problem-solving within the community;

Mobilizing the community’s assets fully for economic development and information sharing purposes;

Convening as broadly representative a group as possible for the purposes of building a community vision and plan;

Leveraging activities, investments and resources from outside the community to support asset-based, locally-defined development.

Strategies for Community Participation

Source: John Kretzmann and John L. McKnight, Building Communities From The Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing A Community’s Assets , Chicago: Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Research, Neighborhood Innovations Network, Northwestern University, 1993.

Energy Technologies for the Future Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL): Use ¼ the electricity for same light, last 10x as long Light-Emitting Diodes (LED): 2x as efficient as CFL, last 10x as long, emit only red and yellow light. Wind energy: cheapest energy (3.9 cents/Kwh), growing at 25% per year Photovoltaics (PV): Price dropping, shipments increasing, price needs to drop 50-75 percent ot be competitive

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL): Use ¼ the electricity for same light, last 10x as long

Light-Emitting Diodes (LED): 2x as efficient as CFL, last 10x as long, emit only red and yellow light.

Wind energy: cheapest energy (3.9 cents/Kwh), growing at 25% per year

Photovoltaics (PV): Price dropping, shipments increasing, price needs to drop 50-75 percent ot be competitive

More Energy Technologies Fuel Cells: Convert hydrogen (H 2 ) to electricity, reverse of electrolysis Byproduct is water Solar powered “water-splitter” Hydrogen: Dominant energy carrier of the 21 st Century Technology need: cheap solar water-splitter Natural gas is the “bridge” to hydrogen energy Buildings: Distributed energy system Zero net energy buildings Mass produced, site-assembled Automobiles Battery or fuel cell power

Fuel Cells:

Convert hydrogen (H 2 ) to electricity, reverse of electrolysis

Byproduct is water

Solar powered “water-splitter”

Hydrogen:

Dominant energy carrier of the 21 st Century

Technology need: cheap solar water-splitter

Natural gas is the “bridge” to hydrogen energy

Buildings:

Distributed energy system

Zero net energy buildings

Mass produced, site-assembled

Automobiles

Battery or fuel cell power

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL)

GM Ultralite Hypercar

Fuel Cell: Converts H 2 directly to electricity

Biomass – Cottonwood Trees

Biological fuels: Methane and Ethanol

15 kW PV Array on Pentagon

BIPV - Windows

BIPV – Skylight

BIPV – One Times Square

USF PV Recharging Station

Energy “Microsofts” n.a. 1989 Electric vehicles Solectria 74 1960 Solar PV cells Electric batteries Energy Conversion Devices (U.S.) 204 1987 Wind turbines Vestas (Denmark) 2,360 1979 Fuel cells Ballard (Canada) Capitalization (million $) Start-up Date Technology Company (Country)