...ECOCENTRISM AND ANTHROPOCENTRISM: MORAL REASONING ABOUT ECOLOGICAL COMMONS DILEMMAS KATHERINE V. KORTENKAMP AND COLLEEN F. MOORE University of WisconsinMadison Abstract When do humans extend their ethical scope to include nature? Anthropocentrism and ecocentrism are two ways of understanding an extension of ethics to nature. In an anthropocentric ethic nature deserves moral consideration because how nature is treated a¡ects humans. In an ecocentric ethic nature deserves moral consideration because nature has intrinsic value. In two experiments participants (n=91 and 84) generated moral reasoning responses to ecological moral dilemmas. The reasoning was coded as ecocentric, anthropocentric, or nonenvironmental (i.e., social contracts, truthfulness). Individual di¡erences and situational variables were examined in relation to moral reasoning about ecological dilemmas. Pro-environmental attitudes were related to more ecocentrica nd anthropocentrica nd less nonenvironmental reasoning. The presence of information about the impact of ecological damage on the environment, especially a more ‘‘wild’’ environment, elicited more ecocentric reasoning, while the presence of a social commitment elicited more nonenvironmental moral reasoning. The implications of the research for con£icts over environmental commons dilemmas are discussed. # 2001 Academic Press Ecocentrism and Anthropocentrism: Moral Reasoning about Ecological Dilemmas There is as yet no ethicd ealing with man’s...
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...People make choices every day – decisions as big as choosing a career or a marriage mate and as small as selecting what to wear or what to eat. Even seemingly small decisions, however, can have far-reaching effects. In today’s virtually borderless society, the food we choose to eat affects not only ourselves but also our communities, our ecosystems and even the global economy. Therefore, we need to think globally and act locally. We need to widen our horizons and think about how what we choose to consume affects the environment and the people around us in both the short-term and the long-term. First, the global market itself has pros and cons. A global market ideally creates opportunities for more people to provide goods and services more cheaply, which in turn makes more jobs available. Additionally, it allows consumers complete access to many products that would otherwise be difficult, if not impossible, to acquire. However, in order to do any good in the long term, the system must be sustainable (Collins, 2010). That said, today, the global market is realistically not so. Decentralization, which functions by having smaller groups of people specialize in a certain niche product that is then dispersed globally, is socially unjust, creating pockets of wealth while a large majority of people work hard for less money in their local currency (Norber & Gorelick, 2013, para 5). The high demand for one specific area’s natural resources results in frequent over-farming, which...
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...high heating value of 24,000 Btu per pound inexpensive compared to coal no odor until added Drawbacks • • • not a renewable source finite resource trapped in the earth (some experts disagree) inability to recover all in-place gas from a producible deposit because of unfavorable economics and lack of technology (It costs more to recover the remaining natural gas because of flow, access, etc.) Other information • • 5,149.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserve left (more than oil but less than coal) 23.2% of total consumption of natural gas is in the United States WATER POWER Pros • • • • • • • Provides water for 30-30% of the world’s irrigated land Provides 19% of electricity Expands irrigation Provides drinking water Supplies hydroelectric energy (falling water used to run turbines) Easier for third world countries to generate power (if water source is available) It is cheaper Cons • • • • • • • • Destabilizes marine ecosystems Water wars (up river and down river; e.g., the water war between...
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...both ways, countries like U.S and U.K get cheaper labor compared to what they might have to pay in their own country, leading to cost cutting. Items from a simple DVD player to maintaining an aircraft has gone down. Unemployment rates slashed and people provided with a safety of their future in India and China like countries. Thus, positive aspects outweighing the negative aspects. Moreover it is a business strategy used by companies to counter-act the lack of expertise present locally. In the end the future of outsourcing seems bright and moving in the positive direction. In the near future more and more organizations seem to adopt to the idea of outsourcing clearly showing bright signs in the outsourcing industry. 2.) AGRICULTURE TO MANUFACTURING AND SERVICES TRANSFORMATION The boom in the manufacturing and services society in today’s time is alarming. With the evident supply of raw goods from developing countries at cheaper rates the focus has shifted...
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...Animal Rights in Medical Research As the declaration of human right states that all human beings are free and equal in dignity and rights. The issue of whether or not to grant animal rights such as those that humans have is greatly disputed over years, but without success. Animal right is an extremely complicated issue that involves the question of animal intellect, animal rights groups, and the pros and cons of granting animals their rights. I have worked with and observed chimpanzees in early 2000 in a research lab in Alamogordo, NM as an animal caretaker and seen how these primates communicate with each other. I feel this subject is very important and I will be sharing my reflections, thoughts and experiences in this paper. Researchers all over the world, who have studied primates argue that these animals hold the capacity to communicate. The researchers go on to describe that a communication barrier is all that separates humans from animals. Chimpanzees are more superior on using their hand and feet than humans. I observed them using their hand to peel bananas, use hands and feet to swing, open doors and even had a water faucet sticking out of the wall with a button that they pressed to drink water. I also got a chance to see a chimp using sign language. This particular chimp in his early life was on TV and commercials, can walk upright, and was harmless. His owner decided to part ways due to the chimp’s age and turned him over to the research facility. They can...
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...are known for its role in pollinating a large percentage of the flowering plants. They participate in sexual reproduction that ensures cross pollination. This process ensures genetic diversity in the food chain that ensures that there is flow of energy from the primary producers to higher levels of consumers. Since green plants are source of food for other organisms, the reduction of one of the primary pollination agents, or even their possible disappearance, is of concern. The bees are on the decline due to various reasons that will be considered later on. I believe the there more pros than cons that can be obtained from the bees. Factors for reduction of bees The disappearance of bees is a very frightening scenario that is subject to an explanation. There various reasons as to why there has been a reduction of bees. This are explained as follows: The sustainability of agriculture is a healthy function of ecosystem services ensures as that it intensifies to meeting growing demands for food production. Climate change, however, may have major influence on the main ecosystem functions, and services such as pollination services. The changes in the time of growth, flowering and maturation of crops, with a resulting influence on crop-related biodiversity, especially pollinators, can be attributed to climate changes. Crucial biological events such as insect emergence and date of onset of flowering need to occur in synchrony for successful pollination interactions. Therefore...
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...1. Solar Energy/ Solar Architecture (What is it? Is it a problem? How does it aid or cause problems both for our environment and our personal health? Research uses, types, etc. What are the issues, discuss the pros and cons of the issues and suggest environmentally safe choices. Solar energy can be used for day lighting, cooking, heating water or other fluids, distillation, disinfection, making saline water potable and high temperature process heating. Solar energy in building is used by orientating the house relative to the sun, making it more compact, including patterns of selective shading and choosing building materials with certain thermal mass (heat capacity of a material). Every house should also be tailored to a certain climate it’s going to be located in. In agriculture solar energy is used to increase the productivity of plants. There are such methods of ensuring growth as timed planting cycles, row orientation for the plants to get as much sun as possible etc. The commonly known greenhouse in fact also uses sun energy that is converted into heat to provide for the year-round growth of certain plants. Passive Solar Energy doesn't use mechanical means to collect, store, or distribute the solar energy. For example, a thermosyphon (solar water heater) will use natural convection to circulate the water through the system. Active Solar Energy uses mechanical devices to collect, store, and/or distribute the solar energy. For example, active solar water...
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...have thrived. Breathable air, potable water, fertile soils, productive lands, bountiful seas, the equitable climate of Earth’s recent history, and other ecosystem services are manifes¬tations of the workings of life. It follows that large-scale human influences over this biota have tremendous impacts on human well-being. It also follows that the nature of these impacts, good or bad, is within the power of humans to influence. Biodiversity is defined as “the variability among living organ¬isms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.” The importance of this definition is that it draws attention to the many dimensions of biodiversity. It explicitly recognizes that every biota can be characterized by its taxonomic, ecological, and genetic diversity and that the way these dimensions of diversity vary over space and time is a key feature of biodiversity. Thus only a multidi¬mensional assessment of biodiversity can provide insights into the relationship between changes in biodiversity and changes in ecosystem functioning and ecosystem services. Biodiversity includes all ecosystems—managed or unmanaged. Sometimes biodiversity is presumed to be a relevant feature of only unmanaged ecosystems, such as wild lands, nature preserves, or national parks. This is incorrect. Managed systems—be they planta¬tions, farms, croplands...
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...Report 4 – Living on Another Planet Transportation systems: Engineers have many design considerations and restraints when developing transportation systems and vehicles for Mars. The amount of dust on the planet will affect mechanical systems. Vehicles on Mars that have to go long distances will need to be pressurized. Rovers for planetary exploration are in development. Rovers for surface science and geology will also be needed, this design is for a drilling and exploration vehicle. In order to support multiple mission requirements, the system is modular and multi-configurable. The main structural aspects of the design are: 1) an inflatable habitat module. 2) Independently powered and remotely controllable wheel trucks to allow multiple configurations and ease of system assembly. 3) Parabolic space trusses for high structural stability with low overall system mass. In addition to these design aspects, new and existing concepts for control systems, power, radiation protection, and crew safety have been incorporated into the transportation system design. This system is designed around the principle of maximum flexibility while maintaining minimal weight and minimal power requirements. Life support systems are critical to a Martian colony. Colonies will need to be self-sufficient and to use what scientists call a bio-regenerative life support system. A bio regenerative life support system will perform all of the basic functions of a life support system based on natural regenerative...
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...Name: Abdulaziz Alharbi Instructor: Holly Harris Class: Bio 100.07 Date: 12/2/2015 Genetically Modified Organisms Genetically Modified Crops can be both useful and hazardous. They conceivably give people certain supplements and help the earth in specific ways yet they are still unsafe on the grounds that we don't have the foggiest idea about the impacts it will have on individuals and what it can do to our surroundings. A hereditarily adjusted life forms are infusing one living being with DNA from another living being to express new qualities that would not normally exist. Hereditarily changed creatures are utilized more as a part of adjusting yields and creatures. However, can likewise be connected to different living beings, for example, microscopic organisms. In Terri Raney and Prabhu Pingali's study "Sowing A Gene Revolution", the survey hereditarily adjusted life forms, for example, changed yields being valuable to all of society. A standout amongst the most vital moral predicament concerning hereditarily adjusted creatures is the conceivable impacts it can have on people and nature. Changed foods were nonexistent until 1994 when the Flavr Savr tomato started to be sold in stores. The reason for this altered tomato was to postpone aging which is the motivation behind amicably changed nourishments; to give the new sustenances a characteristic that would be more advantageous for individuals and for the earth. Researchers can make a sure product to certain qualities...
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...FIELDWORK SEGMENT (FWS) PRM 2013-15 & FPRM 2013 A Theme Paper/ Faculty Participant Collaborative Research (FPCR) ‘MGNREGA’s Contribution towards Sustainable Development’ Village :Bakhri Gram Panchayat: Sonpur DISTRICT: Muzaffarpur STATE: Bihar HOST ORGANISATION:ADITHI Prepared by: Abhishek Rajan (34056) In partial fulfilment of the requirements of the FWS of the Post Graduate Programme in Rural Management INSTITUTE OF RURAL MANAGEMENT ANAND December, 2013 ACKNOWLEDGMENT This acknowledgment is not merely a catalogue of names but an expression of deep sense of gratitude to all those who helped us in completing this study. I would like to thank Adithi Organisation which provided us this opportunity to spend some quality time of our life in the village in Bihar. The key insights provided to us by Mr.P.K.Singh during our field-work helped us a lot while working on the field. I would like to thank Adithi field coordinators Mr. Avinash Kumar, Mrs Rani and Mrs Madhvi, without whose guidance it would not have been possible for us to complete the study. I would also like to thank the people of Bakhri for their cooperation and support, without which the study would not have been possible. Abhishek Rajan (34056) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In this study I have tried to capture the impact of MNREGA and its contribution in providing sustainable livelihood and sustainable asset creation using the natural resource base of rural areas based...
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...algal has increased tremendously. When these algae pass on, their putrefaction uses up the disintegrated oxygen in the water. The area at the bottom of the lake, which was once filled with cichlids, is now empty because the dissolved oxygen is not enough. When any fish attempted to venture into the zone oxygen-free they are unable to breath and die (Raven, Berg, & Hassenzahl, 2010, p. 83). During the time when the population of the cichlid population declined, the growth of the algae increased tremendously further exhausting the level of oxygen in the water. Some other factors that affected Lake Victoria are the pollutants that are caused by humans such as sewage that were untreated, waste than ran into the lake, and the effects of agriculture. The total of all these activities by humans combined have crushed Lake Victoria’s sensitive ecosystem (American University, 2009). Fishermen, who use to catch hundreds different...
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...At one time, bison were widespread from Alaska to northern Mexico. Now bison have been exterminated in the wild except in Yellowstone Park in Wyoming and Wood Buffalo Park, Northwest territory, Canada. The bison are gone in the prairie of the United States along with many of the ecosystem's species. Deep scars mar the landscape where the soil has been swept way by water runoff. The life of the rancher and farmer is vanishing. The body of the bison is huge. They are also tall animals and have two distinctive features, one being the shoulder hump and the other being their huge head. They are brown, their color varying slightly from the front and back of the animal. Their horns are black and curve upward and inward ending in a sharp tip. Their legs are short but firm. Bison are year round grazers. They feed primarily on grasses, but when food is scarce, the will eat other vegetation such as sagebrush. They require water every day. Females are sexually mature in two to three years . The breeding season begins in late June and lasts through September. Gestation is around 285 days, so the calving season in from mid-April through May. Bison are arranged in groups according to sex, age, season and habitat. Grazing takes place during several periods each day conducted in groups. When bison travel, they form a line. Their traveling pattern is determined by the terrain and habitat condition. Bison! are good swimmers and runners. Bison can hear very well. They communicate vocally through...
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...effective, does not cause pollution, nor emit greenhouse gases, which is good for the city environment and far from causing global warming. There are many energy sources available, and after evaluating the pros and cons of each one, as the city planner I have come up with the best choice that can suit our needs, which is wind power, hydroelectric, and nuclear power sources. With a budget of 10 billion dollars, we can build the three new power sources and have money left over. Wind is a clean source of renewable energy, it does not produce any air or water pollution, plus wind is free. The cost of its operations is nearly nothing once a turbine is erected. Mass production and technology are making turbines cheaper, and many governments offer tax incentives to encourage wind development. Hydroelectric is a renewable energy is generated by the force of falling water. It is considered as one of the cleanest sources of energy, reliable and cost effective. Water is needed to make the hydroelectric power unit function. The water is held behind a dam to form a reservoir; the power or the strength of the water released from the reservoir through the dam spins the blades of a turbine. After the water has produced energy, it flows into the rivers and or canals where it gets used for agriculture and drinking water. Nuclear...
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...SHOULD GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD (GM FOOD) SHOULD BE BANNNED | SHOULD GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD (GM FOOD) SHOULD BE BANNNED | SHOULD GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD (GM FOOD) SHOULD BE BANNNED Nowadays genetically modified food is widespread all over the world. GM foods are genetically modified using biotechnology. More and more GM foods appear on our stores and supermarkets. GM foods are designed for greater resistance to viruses and pests, higher nutritional value and longer shelf life. Food crops have been genetically modified for several reasons most of which produce a financial benefit to farmers and the chemical companies that produce the GMOs. In nearly all cases, these benefits are achieved indirectly by increasing crop yields through resistance to diseases and pests or by allowing them reduced use of herbicides to control weeds and unwanted plant growth. However their safety potential risks are still being debated.GM foods ensure that these foods are safe for the human consumption but critics argue that effects have not been studied long enough. First argument for banning GM foods is that it was badly affects our health and well-being. Some studies have linked consumptions of the GM foods to liver and kidney problems. The antibiotics and hormones given to cows and chickens are found in our bodies and we don’t know yet the extent to which these cause chronic disease. Moreover genetic...
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