Introduction
Archeologists and historians believe that life has existed on planet Earth for millions of years. The survival of different species has depended on a wide range of factors, such as the rate of resources utilization, conservation, and focus on posterity. Unfortunately, the past few centuries have been characterized by unprecedented activities that have affected the integrity of the natural environment. Some of them include pollution, deforestation, mining, and construction of huge buildings and infrastructure. This synthesis paper relies on the studied class readings to place the issue of climate change within its proper context.
Synthesis of Readings
The class materials have offered numerous insights and views regarding most of the challenges affecting the global environment today. Without proper mechanisms and policies, a unique challenge has emerged that is capable of affecting human posterity. The predicaments of climatic change and global warming are believed to be as a result of human engagements and actions. Many individuals and governments continue to invest heavily in a wide range of initiatives and projects that are capable of disorienting the sustainability of the natural environment (Wilson, 1996). Without proper solutions to address these problems of climate change and global warming, chances are high that future generations might be unable to achieve their goals.
From the analyzed articles, Leopold (1949) argues that human activities are to blame for the recorded level of global warming. This challenge has emerged due to cases of deforestation and destruction of natural resources. These malpractices have led to the destruction of the ozone layer, thereby resulting in rising global temperatures. The result is that sea levels have continued to rise due to melting polar ice, thereby triggering unprecedented weather patterns and events. From the notions and insights Socrates presents, the reader appreciates that the universe exists to support life (Devall & Sessions, 2001). This reality encourages people from all different parts of the globe to focus on the best practices and ethical ideologies that can safeguard it for posterity. Uncontrolled activities could eventually result in numerous challenges.
In the work “The Land Ethic”, Leopold (1949) foresees a land ethic whereby human beings need to promote an acceptable relationship with the natural environment. A land ethic emerges as a powerful model for guiding caring relationships and addressing some of the problems that might emerge. This work presents a set for guidelines that are founded on the notion of ethics to promote positive relationship with the natural environment. When people remain in direct contact with the universe, chances are high that they will reshape their experiences and even affect the integrity of the natural environment. This reality explains why Leopold (1949) supports a positive connection with the natural environment. Similarly, Gunn (2007) explains why humans should embrace the concepts of preservationism and transcendentalism. These approaches will make it easier for them to manage the surrounding wilderness in such a way that it supports their future goals.
Human actions could be blamed for the recorded climatic changes and problems in different parts of the world. Specifically, the most of the selected articles acknowledge that the natural environment has changed within a very short duration (Gunn, 2007). This occurrence is as a result of the economic pursuits that have been recorded in the world within the past three centuries. Unless something is done, this publication foresees numerous challenges that could affect the overall experiences and outcomes of future human generations.
By focusing on the insights Easterbrook (2007) presents in the work “Global Warming: Who Loses-And Who Wins”, it becomes quite clear that the current problem of global warming is presenting numerous challenges. Human beings will eventually encounter numerous challenges unless they do something to change the current situation. Unprecedented weather events and patterns will be recorded that might eventually affect the integrity of the environment. These developments will place man on the losing end.
The studied materials go further to present the concept of environmentalism as one of the best approaches for learning more about the issues affecting the global society from an informed perspective. Using the notions of biodiversity, the global community can focus on evidence-based approaches to address most of the recorded challenges and promote integrity. Conservation efforts would be appropriate at the global level. Such measures should be designed in such a way that they guide more people to address cases of pollution and over-exploitation (Gunn, 2007). The challenges experienced at the international level could be used to describe the realities of both climatic changes and global warming. A multifaceted approach emerges as the best strategy for helping more global communities to address this challenge and promote evidence-based approaches.
Different ethical theories and perspectives are notable from the studied materials. For instance, Socrates emerges as one of the leading proponents of virtue ethics. He identifies the concept of “good” as a powerful attribute that can guide more people to do what is right (Wilson, 1996). These ideas are applicable at the international level to help more people investigate most of the malpractices that amount to environmental destruction. The involvement of all people can present positive results within the shortest time possible (St. Clair, 2003). From a moral perspective, human beings have a duty to do what is right and protect the environment for posterity. Failure to consider this outcome means that more communities and citizens will be unable to achieve their goals.
Most of the challenges and environmental problems experienced in the past reveal that additional issues might be recorded in the near future. The inability to pursue the notions of ethics is a malpractice that has led to more problems (Wilson, 1996). Many corporations and individuals continue to engage in deforestation and overuse of some of the limited resources. Consequently, such malpractices have triggered unprecedented weather patterns and changes (St. Clair, 2003). The absence of proper policies, conventions, and international agreements that can help mitigate these problems could explain why the current situation is getting worse. Consequently, the studies materials try to present a common theme whereby human beings from all parts of the world should come together and present sustainable solutions to the current environmental challenges.
As Leopold (1949) observes, human beings need to appreciate the fact that they are an integral part of the global community. Their actions continue to reshape the future of land ethics today and in the future. With this kind of understanding, it would be relevant that they all engage in meaningful conversations and focus on the best way to present divergent perspectives (Naess, 2008). This initiative will make it easier for them to present a unique form of land ethic that is capable of reshaping how humans rely on natural resources for economic gains and livelihood. The same ethic will also have to be passed down and become a guiding principle for every generation in the future.
Emerging Viewpoint and Observation
The completed discussions have identified humans as the only species that has the biggest responsibility to examine and address the environmental questions experienced in the world today. The identified materials have identified climate change as one of the inexorable facts or realities that could be linked directly to human activities (Devall & Sessions, 2001). This outcome should become the basis for compelling individuals in different parts of the globe to concede and be compelled to engage in actions that can make the natural environment more sustainable.
Different agencies need to engage in actions that have the potential to have positive impacts on the natural environment. For instance, conservation measures are essential since they can more people address this current concern. Scientists and philosophers of the present era have been worried because of the wasteful nature of human activities (Devall & Sessions, 2001). The extinctions of various civilizations and species in the past should become learning points to help more people find meaningful solutions. Some outstanding examples could be the collapse of the Maya civilization and the extinction of dinosaurs. These realities show conclusively that human beings occupying Planet Earth today might not be immune from some of the described possible outcomes.
From a moral perspective, human beings have a duty to conserve the natural environment since they rely on it for life. Past generations engaged in activities that were less wasteful and appropriate compared to what is being recorded in the world today (Baxter, 1974). With proper measures and initiatives, it will be possible for the global community to understand the nature of this problem and propose evidence-based approaches that have the potential to deliver sustainable results (Naess, 2008). The shortness and uncertain nature of human existence should become the best guiding principle for ensuring that all actions contribute to posterity.
In a nutshell, the studied materials support the fact that climate change is a reality facing the global community today. This problem has emerged because of the irresponsible nature of human behavior. Governments and societies have failed to implement proper policies and mechanisms that can help safeguard the integrity of the natural environment (Wilson, 1996). From this kind of reality, it would be appropriate for all human beings to join their hands and engage in actions that can result in the preservation of the natural environment. This initiative is essential since it will make the planet more sustainable and preserve it for the sake of all generations to come in the future.
Conclusion
Modern scholars and environmentalists acknowledge that climate change is a major challenge affecting the global society today. Experts have examined this predicament from an ethical perspective to compel more people to be involved and find a sustainable solution. This immoral issue, therefore, requires all human beings to engage in activities that can result in the preservation of the planet. If individuals fail to address the identified challenges, all ecosystems might become unsustainable and eventually have negative effects on future generations. In conclusion, all government agencies, citizens, and corporations should be involved in this problem and find a sustainable solution to safeguard the planet for future human population.
References
Baxter, W. F. (1974). People or penguins: The case for optimal pollution. Colombia University Press.
Devall, B., & Sessions, G. (2001). Deep ecology: Living as if nature mattered. Gibbs Smith Press.
Easterbrook, G. (2007). Global warming: Who loses—And who wins? The Atlantic. Web.
Gunn, A. S. (2007). Environmental ethics in a New Zealand context. NZ Journal of Forestry, 1(1), 7-12. Web.
Leopold, A. (1949). The land ethic [PDF document]. Web.
Naess, A. (2008). Life’s philosophy: Reason and feeling in a deeper world. Athens: The University of Georgia Press.
St. Clair, J. (2003). Been Brown so long, it looked green to me: The politics of nature. Common Courage Press.
Wilson, E. O. (1996). The environmental ethic. Hastings Environmental Law Journal, 3(2), 327-331. Web.