Ethics of Sustainability

Discuss whether or not you agree with Judge Weeramantry’s concept of sustainability. Does he appear to be using any particular value system? If so, which one(s)?

Judge Weeramantry is arguing for development with the concept of stewardship for future generations.  He interjects traditional knowledge and cultural respect for the environment and points out that past civilizations did this in many instances.  He gives several examples from the past that help him define sustainable development that combines land use with protecting the environment (Weeramantry, n. d., p. 10).

The Judge's speech touches on our responsibility towards the stewardship ethic (Radcliffe, 2000, p. 79) where our generation has an obligation to preserve/conserve natural resources for the next one (or even more), which I agree with.  While there are many programs to promote stewardship like the Energy Star program, the US as a whole needs a clearly defined vision, goal, and an action plan that balances development with its impact on the environment.  I think that we have some visions and goals in place via the clean water and air laws, but lack the cohesiveness needed to fully implement these throughout the US.  We have forces that attempt to diminish these laws (lobbying) citing economic peril (job killers) and reduce the laws effect or defund them making enforcement difficult. 

While the economy is important, valuing it above ecosystems damages the environment and diminishes people's well being.  Most certainly, promoting its unending growth leaves little chance we will be able to hold our responsibility to future generations. We do not have to believe that "no drop of water should flow into the sea without first serving the interests of man" (Weeramantry, n. d., p. 10) to flourish and benefit from what nature has to offer all of us.  We only need to learn how to balance our impact with preservation.  After all, past generations, that had fewer tools and technology, managed their resources very well and preserved some for the next generation as Weeramantry points out.  Why is it that we have such vast amount of information/tools at our hands but fail to do the same?

References:

Radcliffe, J. (2000). Chapter 4 – The need for an environmental ethic. In Green Politics. New York, NY: Pelgrave Publishers. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com/ 

Weeramantry, C. (n. d.). Sustainable development:  An ancient concept revived. http://vizedhtmlcontent.next.ecollege.com/pub/content/956ff924-e558-475d-9593-465270545d68/ENV330.W2.Reading.pdf