ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS AND ISSUES
Environmental ethics is a subfield of ethics that examines how ethics affects the interaction between people and the environment. Environmental ethics holds that both people and other living things, such as plants and animals, are a part of society. These things are thought to be an essential component of daily life and have a significant role in the globe.
Therefore, it is crucial that each and every human accept this, appreciate it, and treat these species with morality and ethics. Our planet is facing a number of problems, including global warming,climate change, deforestation, pollution, resource depletion, and the prospect of extinction. An important aspect of environmental studies that establishes the connection between people and the environment is environmental ethics. With environmental ethics, you may be sure that you are contributing to the safe and protected maintenance of the environment.
THE MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES include pollution; overpopulation; industrial and household waste; acid rain; climate change; ozone layer depletion; urban sprawl; genetic engineering; deforestation; and global warming.
These environmental issues have taken a toll on our environment and we’ve already started seeing some disastrous effects in the form of the effect of health on humans; a rise in sea level; depletion of non-renewable resources; melting of glaciers; extinction of species; polluted landfills; toxic dust; decreasing soil fertility; a rise in air and water pollution; and many more.
If we continue to use the outdated, costly techniques of exploiting them longer, our nation's natural resources could run out. The moment has come to really consider what will happen when our forests are gone, when the coal, iron, oil, and gas are depleted, when the soil has been further depleted, washed into the waterways, and when navigation is obstructed. It is time for our country to act with the same reasonable forethought in dealing with limited natural resources that any intelligent individual would display in protecting and correctly using the assets that provide the security of his and his children's well-being
SOME ENVIORNMENTAL ISSUES
➢ BIO DIVERSITY
The number of living things in an environment More bio diversity leads to stronger ecosystem When biodiversity is not preserved, animals become threatened, endangered or extinct Solution to protect biodiversity is to pass laws which can protect species and endangered species
➢ OVER POPULATION
The current population in India as on 2020 is 13.80 crores approximately Larger population leads to more scarcity of resources Solution to avoid overpopulation Education Fight against poverty
➢ ACID RAIN
Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad term that includes any form of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms. This can include rain, snow, fog, hail or even dust that is acidic.
- ISSUES IN ACID RAIN
Acid rain destroys crops and plant life It can affect drinking water Acid breakdown carbonate on tombstones and statues
- SOLUTION
Burn less sulfur coal Develop alternative energies Laws to Protect Against Chemical Disasters in India
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTS IN INDIA
LAWS BEFORE AND DURING BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY (1984) : At the time of the Bhopal gas tragedy, the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was the only relevant law specifying criminal liability for such incidents.
LAWS AFTER BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY (1984) : Bhopal Gas Leak (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985 : It gives powers to the central government to secure the claims arising out of or connected with the Bhopal gas tragedy. Under the provisions of this Act, such claims are dealt with speedily and equitably.
THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT, 1986 : It gives powers to the central government to undertake measures for improving the environment and set standards and inspect industrial units.
THE PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE ACT, 1991 : It is an insurance meant to provide relief to persons affected by accidents that occur while handling hazardous substances.
THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT APPELLATE AUTHORITY ACT, 1997: UNDER THIS ACT, the National Environment Appellate Authority can hear appeals regarding the restriction of areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL, 2010 : It provided for the establishment of the National Green Tribunal for effective and expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental protection and conservation of forests.
ACCORDING TO PRS LEGISLATIVE, any incident similar to the Bhopal gas tragedy will be tried in the National Green Tribunal and most likely under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. If an offence is committed by a company then every person directly in charge and responsible will be deemed guilty, unless he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such an offence.
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