Chapter 5. Environmental Ethics Meet General Ethics

Abstract

As the Global Environmental Outlook 2000 issued by the United Nations Environmental Program has pointed out, the ongoing global warming may no longer be denied. Expansion of income inequality accelerated by economic globalization is expected to aggravate environmental disruption through two major processes: 1) environmental destruction such as deforestation and desertification due to struggle for survival by the have-nots and 2) increased CO₂ generation due to over-consumption of fossil fuel mostly by the haves. It should not be overlooked that some 800 million humans in developing countries are now starving while obesity and its related diseases due to over-sating prevail in many developed countries. Since no technological breakthrough is foreseeable to solve the environmental problems, behavioral changes already prescribed by traditional ethics should be re-considered. A modest example is proposed.