Environmental Science - Ch 6 Flashcards
Ethics
A set of moral principles or values used to determine right or wrong
Economics
A social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
Relativists
Believe that ethics vary depending on the context of the problem
Universalists
Define objective notions of right and wrong that hold across many cultures and contexts
Ethical Standards
The criteria that help to differentiate right from wrong
Principle of Utility
Something is right when it produces the greatest practical benefits for the most people
Instrumental Value
Something is valued for the pragmatic beliefs that it brings us
Intrinsic Value
Something is believed to have a right to exist and is valuable for its own sake
Environmental Ethics
The application of ethical standards to the relationship between people and non - human entities
Anthropocentrism
A human centered view. Non human things are given little or no intrinsic value.
Biocentrism
Ascribes intrinsic value to both human and nonhuman life
Ecocentrism
Judges actions based on their effects on ecological systems, including nonliving elements
John Muir
Believer in transcendentalism, promoted the preservation ethic
Preservation Ethic
We should protect nature in its pristine, unaltered state
Gifford Pinchot
Founder of the US Forest Service, created the conservation ethic
Conservation Ethic
People should use natural resources in a wise, careful manner in order to provide the greatest good for the greatest number of people for the longest period of time
Development Ethic
Opposed by both Muir and Pinchot; Promotes economic development as a priority
Aldo Leopold
Author of “A Sand County Almanac”
Economy
A social system that converts resources into goods and services
Goods
Material commodities
Services
Work done for others
Ecosystem Goods
Include fresh water, trees that provide timber, energy from the sun, wind, water and fossil fuels
Ecological Services
Include air and water purification, climate regulation, pollination and waste recycling
Classical Economics
The marketplace will behave as if guided by an “invisible hand” to benefit society
Neoclassical Economics
Describes a conflict between buyers, who want a low price, and sellers, who want a high price
Supply
The amount of product offered for sale at a given price
Demand
The amount of product people will buy at a given price
Cost - Benefit Analysis
Compares the estimated cost of a proposed action with its benefits
Environmental Economics
Goal is to attain sustainability within our economic systems
Ecological Economics
Economies should attain a stability, much like natural populations do in the face of environmental limitations
Discounting
Future effects are granted less value than ones in the present
Nonmarket Values
Not a part of the price of a good or service
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
The total monetary value of goods and services produced in a year
Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI)
Adds in unpaid positive contributions, such as parenting and volunteering
Market Failure
Occurs when positive outside forces and external costs are not considered
Ecolabeling
Advertising sustainable practices on the labels of certain products to attract more customers
Greenwashing
Corporate greening efforts pursued mostly for PR with little impact
Sustainable Development
A form of economic progress that maintains resources for the future
