In the introduction, it talks about global warming. One of the things the book claims about global warming is that human activity is responsible for it. This is because carbon dioxide is being released into the atmosphere as the result of burning coal, oil, and gasoline (Shaw 247). An opposing view to this is offered by Answers in Genesis. Based off of their research, they have found a “sensible approximation’ of the global temperature in the past (White). The data they found shows that during the Medieval and Roman periods there were times that the temperature was at a similar height. In addition, they also found estimates, created by scientists, for carbon dioxide levels in the past. When these estimates were plotted on top of the global temperature approximations, the temperature started increasing before the carbon dioxide levels did. As a result of this data, this article claims that human activity is not responsible for global warming (White).
What obligations do we have to future generations?
The pollution that happens today will have an effect on the drinking water of future generations and could result in some of their illnesses. Some of the obligations that I think we have to future generations are to follow acts like the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act that are talked about in the introduction (Shaw 247). This will allow future generations to have more of a choice regarding things like drinking clean water.
Does nature have value in itself?
One of the ways that nature has value in itself is in its variety. Nature supplies a variety of food for us, such as fish, meat, vegetables, and fruit. As species go extinct, the variety of fresh food available may decrease. Each type of vegetable tastes different. Even if foods like vegetables do not contain cognitive awareness (Shaw 268), I think we do have a moral obligation to respect them. By respecting plants and animals, we would also be respecting people by allowing them to continue enjoying their favorite foods.
Who should pay the cost for protecting the environment?
The people who are responsible for the pollution should also be responsible for minimizing the pollution as much as possible. As a result, they should be the ones responsible for paying the costs for protecting the environment. If a factory is able to use green energy and has found a way to safety discard its waste, it should do so. If the factory decides not to, it should pay the resulting costs. By having companies be responsible for paying the costs for protecting the environment, companies may start moving towards using green energy. In the end, green energy saves companies money and will increase their efficiency (Shaw 262). So it would be better for the environment and for the companies.
Works Cited
Shaw, William H. Business Ethics. 9th ed., Cengage Learning, 2017.
White, Alan. “The Globe Is Warming, But It’s Not Your Fault!’ Answers in Genesis, Answers in Genesis, 4 Mar. 2015, answersingenesis.org/environmental-science/climate-change/globe-is-warming-but-its-not-your-fault/.