Editor: Jan Weaver

422 Tucker Hall, MU Campus

Philosophy, Ethics, and the Environment

by Guest Author Liam Monahan

Among philosophers the term 'environmental ethics' is ambiguous. For some philosophers, environmental ethics is an area of applied ethics in which traditional ethical values and principles are applied to concrete environmental practices. Philosophers who engage in this activity might be called 'environmental ethicists.'

For other philosophers, environmental ethics involves not the application of traditional ethical values, but rather their rejection. Philosophers who hold this view might be called 'environmental philosophers.'

One kind of environmental ethicist is a utilitarian environmental ethicist. Such an ethicist argues that an environmental practice is morally wrong whenever it does not result in a higher net benefit (or 'utility') for all human beings affected by the practice than would an alternative practice. Some utilitarian environmental ethicists who adopt Peter Singer's views concerning the utility of animal welfare go further and argue that the pain and suffering of all sentient animals (not just humans) must be reckoned in the accounting of cost and benefits. The job of the utilitarian environmental ethicist is to identify overlooked values and help ensure the accurate accountings of costs and benefits.

The controversy concerning drilling in ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) might be helpful here. From a utilitarian environmental ethicist's view, the answer to the morality of drilling in ANWR depends on answers to questions such as: How much oil is in ANWR? What will be the short and long term benefits for the economy and human welfare? What will be the short and long term cost? What direct and indirect cost and benefits will the drilling infrastructure have on current and future animal populations? How are these costs and benefits to be measured against one another? Is there an alternative to drilling in ANWR available that would result in a higher net benefit if it were adopted?

The important point is that from a utilitarian view, while ethicists can play an important role in the process of moral deliberation, the morality of an environmental practice ultimately becomes an empirical question to be decided by scientists and economists, not ethicists.

Environmental philosophers reject the philosophical approach of the environmental ethicist. Instead, they think that reflecting on our treatment of the environment and the devastating effect it is having has provided a unique opportunity for philosophers to reexamine the traditional values and principles of modern Western moral philosophy, especially the concept of utility.

Their philosophical investigations usually result in some version of the conclusion that all living things or entire ecosystems have independent moral standing and that morality requires that the environment be protected for its own sake, not merely for the reason that protecting it will (at least in some cases) result in a higher net benefit. With respect to ANWR, then, an environmental philosopher is inclined to argue that philosophical analysis reveals that an environmental practice resulting in a net benefit is an insufficient moral justification for the destructive exploitation of living things and ecosystems and that therefore drilling ought not to be permitted, especially when alternative sources of energy are available.

In many respects the perspectives of the utilitarian environmental ethicist and the environmental philosopher are deeply incompatible. While they are often tactical allies, the environmental ethicist will judge morally permissible many environmental practices that the environmental philosopher will morally condemn. Since almost all public policy decisions are made in utilitarian terms, the utilitarian environmental ethicist is uniquely placed to enter into these conversations. Unfortunately, environmental philosophers have almost no effective way of influencing public policy discussion, unless they set their philosophical convictions to one side and adopt a strategy of pragmatic utilitarian advocacy. Environmental philosophers do not have the luxury of philosophical purity if they want to have influence.

Incidentally, there is nothing special about environmental ethics in this regard. All practical issues face roughly the same problem. The current process does not allow much room for legitimate public deliberation concerning our core values and principles. Yet, we know from history that rights once reserved to wealthy white males were extended to the landless, to men of color and even to women. Perhaps sometime in the future they will extend to nature.

Liam Monahan is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Missouri. His area of study is moral philosophy and moral psychology. Recent publication: "Toward Civic Friendship: Reproductive Praxis and Keeping Conflict Political," Review Journal of Political Philosophy, vol. 1, no. 1 & 2 (2003): pp. 125 &endash; 154.

BioRegional Quiz: Central Missouri's current drought status is.....

JOB OF THE MONTH: Forest Restoration/NeighborWoods Coordinators - Trees Atlanta. Trees Atlanta is looking for two people to direct and implement all aspects of Trees Atlanta's Forest Restoration Program, coordinate Invasive Plant Removal Program in our city parks, and assist with NeighborWoods tree planting and Arboretum programs. Forest Restoration Program, NeighborWoods Tree Planting Program and Neighborhood Arboretums requires working with volunteers, contractors, citizens and municipalities to maximize quality of permanently protected land, produce management plans and GIS databases, remove invasive plants, build trails, plant native trees and shrubs, make maps, plan volunteer projects, ordering granite markers and coordinating installation, and coordination of a future 22 mile City-wide arboretum. Qualifications: Applicants must have a Bachelor's Degree in Landscape Architecture, Urban Forestry, Ecology, Botany, or related field. The applicant must be highly motivated, organized, detail oriented, computer savvy, and have outstanding interpersonal skills plus a minimum of three to five years experience working in a related field. GIS and Adobe Illustrator experience a plus. Some evenings and many Saturdays are required. Must be in good physical shape. Compensation: Salary $29,000 - $45,000, based on experience. To Apply, please send your résumé to <mailto:greg@treesatlanta.org>greg@treesatlanta.org or: Greg Levine, Trees Atlanta, 96 Poplar St, Atlanta GA 30303-2120. No telephone calls, please. Please let the employer know that you are responding to the announcement in <http://www.EcoEmploy.com>www.EcoEmploy.com: <http://www.ecoemploy.com/jobs/restoration.html>http://www.ecoemploy.com/jobs/restoration.html

Special Events, Talks and Activities

ORGANIC GARDENING AND COMPOSTING WORKSHOP: Sunday September 3, 1-2 pm Superior Garden Center, 3100 Old Hiway 63 South. With Liz Graznak. Free and Open to the Public. For info or to register 573/442-9499

TWILIGHT FESTIVAL: Thursday evenings in September , 7, 14,21,28 from 6-8 pm. Downtown Columbia and the Courthouse Square. Activities and info on local organizations. <http://www.discoverthedistrict.com>http://www.discoverthedistrict.com; scroll to festival.

BIOBLITZ: Friday and Saturday September 15 and 16, 5 pm to 5 pm, MKT Trailhead/MLK Park in the Flat Branch Watershed. Natural history hikes featuring birds, bats, bugs, fish, flowers and fungi and a host of other species. Help fill out the list of what lives in the watershed. Free and open to the public. Register at <http://bioblitz.missouri.edu>http://bioblitz.missouri.edu/

STARLIGHT BIKE RAMBLE and FITNESS FORUM: Saturday September 16, 8 PM at the Youzeum. <http://www.discoverthedistrict.com>http://www.discoverthedistrict.com/ and follow the link to the bike ramble

HERITAGE FESTIVAL AND CRAFT SHOW: Saturday and Sunday September 16 and 17, Historic Nifong Park. www.GoColumbiaMo.com, click on Parks and Recreation

STREAM FESTIVAL; Thursday September 21, 6-8 pm in Flat Branch Park (as part of the Twilight Festival). Information and activities related to streams and watersheds. Learn how to take care of the waters in your neighborhood.

TEACH FOR AMERICA INFO SESSION: Wednesday September 20, (check campus for flyers on when and where). TFA is looking for 30 good teachers from Mizzou to serve low income schools in urban and rural settings.

LOST IN THE WOODS: Saturday September 30, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. Orienteering, map & compass skills (great prep for the O-Meet October 1, below). Free but registration required, call 573-449-7402.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING FAIR: Saturday September 30, 10 am - 5:30 pm, Unity Center, 1600 W. Broadway. Workshops on food, energy, commuting and composting. Keynote Speaker David Konkle - Energy Coordinator, Ann Arbor on "Communities and Climate Change" at 1;45. Free and Open to the Public. <http://www.slfcolumbia.org>http://www.slfcolumbia.org/

ORIENTEERING MEET: Sunday October 1, 9 am - 2 pm, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. Four levels of course difficulty - all on trail (white course) to all off trail (red course). Free white trail includes nature stations. Yellow, Orange and Red trails $10 for individuals, $8 for teams. Visit http.rockbridge.missouri.org for information and to register.

Organization Meetings and Contact Information

AUDUBON SOCIETY: 874-3904 / columbia-audubon.missouri.org Meet 3rd Wed 7:30 pm, Unitarian Church, 2615 Shepard Blvd.

BOONE COUNTY SMART GROWTH COALITION: <http://smartgrowth.missouri.org>http://smartgrowth.missouri.org/, 1st Weds 7:15 Boone Co Govt Ctr.

CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING: 875-0539 or <http://peaceworks.missouri.org>http://peaceworks.missouri.org/

CHOUTEAU GROTTO: <http://chouteau.missouri.org>http://chouteau.missouri.org/, Meet 1st Wed, 7 pm, The Casteel Building, 1518 Business Loop 70 East

COLUMBIA FOOD CIRCLE: 882-7463 or email <mailto:hendricksonm@missouri.edu>hendricksonm@missouri.edu for information.

COLUMBIA PUBLIC WORKS VOL. PROGRAMS: 874-6271 or <http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Volunteer/Opportunities/#PW>http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Volunteer/Opportunities/#PW

CITIZENS WATERSHED COMMITTEE: (573) 526-8916, Third Tuesdays, 6:30 pm, Daniel Boone Bldg

COMMUNITY GARDEN COALITION: 875-5995 or cgardenc@yahoo.com or <http://cgc.missouri.org>http://cgc.missouri.org

ENV EDUCATION WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES: <http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/teacher/workshops/>http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/teacher/workshops/

FRIENDS OF BIG MUDDY: friends@friendsofbigmuddy.org or <http://www.friendsofbigmuddy.org>www.friendsofbigmuddy.org

FRIENDS OF ROCK BRIDGE M. S. P.: 815-9255 or <http://rockbridge.missouri.org>http://rockbridge.missouri.org/ Outdoors Bldg, 200 Old 63 S.

GREENBELT COALITION: 442-4789, <mailto:greenbelt.land.trust@gmail.com>greenbelt.land.trust@gmail.com or <http://greenbelt.missouri.org>http://greenbelt.missouri.org

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE: 815-9836, drop off or buy gently used doors, windows, hardware, tools, cabinets, appliances, unopened paint, fixtures - Mon to Fri 8:30 to 3:30, Saturday 8:00 to 1:00 pm, 1906 Monroe St. Columbia

MISSOURI ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: <http://www.meea.org>www.meea.org

MO NATIVE PLANT SOC.: <http://columbianativeplants.missouri.org>http://columbianativeplants.missouri.org/, 2nd Mon, odd months, 7 p.m., UU Church, 2615 Shepard

MISSOURI RIVER COMMUNITIES NETWORK: 573-256-2602 or <http://www.moriver.org>www.moriver.org or <mailto:moriver@coin.org>moriver@coin.org

PEDNET COALITION: email: pednet@pednet.org or <http://www.pednet.org>http://www.pednet.org

RIVER RELIEF: <http://www.riverrelief.org>http://www.riverrelief.org/

ROCK BRIDGE MEMORIAL STATE PARK: 449-7402 or <http://rockbridge.missouri.org>http://rockbridge.missouri.org

SHOW ME CLEAN STREAMS COALITION: (573) 751-4115 ext 3169 or <http://www.mostreamteam.org>www.mostreamteam.org

SIERRA CLUB: 875-2916 or <http://sierra.osage.missouri.org>http://sierra.osage.missouri.org Meet 3rd Tuesdays 7:30 pm Hillel Foundation, 1107 University Ave

WILD ONES: 573 882-9909, ext 3257 or email wildonesmo@yahoo.com, <http://wildones.missouri.org>http://wildones.missouri.org Meetings 2nd Saturdays.

Answer to BioRegional Quiz - We are currently moderate to severe and then extreme as you move west in central Missouri (<http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html>http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html). The seasonal outlook is continuing drought with some improvement (<http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/seasonal_drought.html>http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/seasonal_drought.html)

Feedback - Got an opinion? If we have space, we will consider publishing it. Submit it by email (<mailto:envstudy@missouri.edu>envstudy@missouri.edu), snail mail (Environmental Studies, 211 Lowry , MU, Columbia MO 65211), or call Jan Weaver to talk about it (882-7116). MU Environmental Network News is published by MU's Environmental Studies Initiative. All opinions expressed are the responsibility of the editor. Any part of this newsletter may be copied for distribution but please give us credit.

Interested in an Environmental Career? For information on courses, majors, and careers in the environmental field, contact Jan Weaver at envstudy@missouri.edu, or visit <http://www.misso>http://www.misso