Explain How Human Population Relates to Major Themes in Environmental Ethics. Compare and Contrast Three Concepts Pertaining to Population
Environmental issues have been on the agenda of the global community for a while, leading to the emergence of numerous ethical concerns. Climate change, in particular, has defined a range of choices in the management of livestock, distribution of food, and the reconsideration of the existing dieting choices. Because of the threats to the well-being of the global population, the introduction of a more sustainable approach toward managing the available resources, in general, and food, in particular, have been developed. As a result, the modern population relates rather closely to environmental ethics, both attempting to follow it closely and at the same time creating new dilemmas.
Changes in people’s attitudes toward the environment and the current concerns, such as the extinction of species, the allocation of resources, and similar concerns, also manifest themselves in some of the recent trends. For example, a steep increase in the proponents of a vegetarian lifestyle can be observed currently (Gjerris, Gamborg, Rocklinsberg, & Anthony. 2011; Bruers, 2015). The observed phenomenon can be viewed as the fact that people are aware of the misuse of resources and are willing to contribute to a better management thereof. The specified trend can also be explained by the fact that the growth of the population has been consistent over the past few years: “This effect would accelerate as gains in survival gradually declined, thus vastly reducing the amount of aid that would be needed” (Murdoch & Oaten, 1975, p. 566). Thus, the necessity to increase food supply and use more resources remains present in the modern global market.
In addition to the specified solution, other signs of people developing a moral stance regarding environmental concerns have become evident with the increased interest in genetic engineering. Viewed as a possible solution for mitigating famine, it may also serve as one of the tools for preventing a drop in the number of available resources (Rauch, 2003). Indeed, despite the prejudices that a number of people have toward the subject matter, the food produced with the help of the specified technique will help address the problem of famine in impoverished countries.
The connection between the human population and global environmental ethics themes such as food distribution, management of livestock, and changes to dieting choices, is undeniable. The decisions of the population have both positive and negative effects on the overall course of handling current environmental concerns, leading to the creation of new decisions and the design of improved strategies. Therefore, the concern for the breach of environmental ethics has been on the rise over the past few years. It can be assumed that the significance of environmental ethics has grown over the past few decades due to the discussions of the problem in media. However, further steps must be taken to ensure the active promotion of environmental awareness.
References
Bruers, S. (2015). In defense of eating vegan. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 28(4), 705-717. Web.
Gjerris, M., Gamborg, C., Rocklinsberg, H., & Anthony, R. (2011). The price of responsibility: ethics of animal husbandry in a time of climate change. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 24(4), 331-350.
Murdoch, W. W., & Oaten, A. (1975). Commentary: Population and food: Metaphors and the reality. Bioscience, 25(9), 561-567. Web.
Rauch, J. (2003). Will Frankenfood save the planet? Atlantic Monthly, 292(3), 103-8.