1. Animal Welfare and Protection

Question 1

1. Religious Approaches

Answer 1

• Western Philosophy (rooted in Ancient Greece and the Catholic Church) has historically given little consideration to the welfare of animals.
• Animals have been judged to be inferior to humans due to their rational capabilities
• Genesis: “they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky”
• In contrast, Hiduism, Jainism and Buddhism have given greater consideration to animal welfare due to the principle of ‘ahisma’ (do not harm)

Question 2

2. Secular Approaches

Answer 2

• Animal welfare is no longer a religious issue.

* Secular organisations such as PETA and atheists such as Peter Singer etc

Question 3

3. Changes in the UK Law

Answer 3

• Act to Prevent the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle (1822): UK became first country to establish legal protection for animals

• Cock Fighting Act (1952)
• Animal Welfare Act (2006)

Sustainability:
- Scholars such as Lovelock and Naess argue that not nearly enough has been done to prevent harm being done to the planet.

Question 4

4. Waste Management

Answer 4

• Annually 330 million tonnes of waste is produced by the country (39% is recycled)
• Incineration: burning waste (producing harmful chemicals)
• Many environmentalists believe in zero-waste policy (Scottish Parliament)

Question 5

5. Climate Change

Answer 5

• Paris Climate Agreement: agreed to keeping temperature increases below 2.0°C.
• The outcome is shrinking ice caps, rising sea levels and weathers such as floods and tornadoes.

Question 6

Summary

Answer 6

1. Religious Approach
2. Secular Approach
3. Changes in the UK Law
4. Waste Management
5. Climate Change