engineering, ecology, and economics
TRANSCRIPT
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ENGINEERING,
ECOLOGY, AND
ECONOMICS
EngineeringEthics
Ivan Gonzales Morana
BSIE-3B
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Engineering, Ecology and Economics
Like the word ethics, the expression of
environmental ethics can have several
meaning. We use the expression to refer to (1)
the study of moral issues concerning the
environmental, and (2) moral perspectives,
beliefs, and attitudes concerning those issues.
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The Invisible Hand and the Commons
Two metaphors have dominated thinking about the environment:
the invisible handand the tragedy of the commons.
1stMetaphor
Positive Side in the
Economy and Environmental
aspects.
The invisible hand serves as
the motivational drive for a
person to get their own-interest.
2ndMetaphor
Take account of the damage
to the environment
People tend to be
thoughtless about things
they do not own individually
and which seem to beunlimited supply.
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Engineers: Sustainable Development
Ali Ansaria scholar in India. Suggests that there is a standard
engineering worldwidethat of mechanical universe. ,which is atodd with mainstream organic environmental thought.
central of the engineering
view is technothink, which
implicitly assumes thatthings can be understood by
analyzing them and, if
something goes wrong, can
be fixed.
green philosophydemands humility,
respect, and sensitivity towards the
natural world.
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The U.S environmental movement that emerged from the1960s began a social transformation that has influencedengineers as much as other populations, and more than
most profession. Furthermore, there is no single canonicalprofessional attitude orphilosophicalgreenattitude.
Engineering Code of Ethics explicitly
refer to environmental responsibilities
under the heading of sustainable
development.
Engineers should be committed
to improving the environment to
chance the quality of life.
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Sustainable Development
Negatively - the term was
invented to underscore howcurrent patterns of economic
activity and growth cannot be
sustained as population grow,
technologies are extended to
developing countries, and the
environment is increasingly
harmed.
Positively - the term impliesthe crucial need for new
economic patterns and products
that are sustainable, that iscompatible with both ongoing
technological development and
protection of the environment.
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Corporations: Environmental
Leadership
In the present climate, it is good business for a
corporation to be perceived by the public as
environmentally responsible, indeed as a leader in
finding creative solutions.
Example : Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF), which providessolar energy in developing countries, beginning with rural
areas in South Africa and China. Neville Williams whofounded SELF
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Government: Technology AssessmentGovernment laws and regulations are understandably the
lighting rod in environmental controversies. Few wouldquestion the need for the force of law in setting firm
guidelines regarding the degradation of the commons,
especially in limiting the excesses of self-seeking while
establishing fair rules to play by.
U.S Congress had an Office of Technology Assessment which
prepares studies in the social and environmental effects of
technology in areas.
- nuclear war- health care
- cashless trading
- pollution
That need to be complemented by good-faith commitments
of engineer and their corporations.
Examp
le:
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Communities: Preventing Natural
Disaster
Communities at the local and even state level specialresponsibility, as well, for preventing natural events
such as hurricanes, floods, fires, and earthquakes
from becoming disasters. There are four sets of measurescommunities can take to avert or mitigate disaster.
1st set of defense measures consist of restrictions or requirementsimposed on human habitat.
2nd set, strengthening the lifelines for essential utilities such as waterand electricity.
3rd set encompasses special-purpose defensive structures.
4th set, should assure safe exits in the form of roads and passagesdesigned as escape routes .
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Market Mechanisms: Internalizing Cost
Democratic controls take many forms beyond passing
laws. One such option is internalizing cost of harm tothe environment. When we are told how efficient and cheapmany of our products and processes are from agriculture to themanufacturing products. Only DIRECT FACTORS are usually
included such as cost of labor, raw materials, and the use offacilities. But INDIRECT FACTORS must be considered, such as the
effects of pollution, the depletion of energy and raw materials
disposal, and social costs.
If these, or an approximation of them,were internalized then those for whose
benefit the environmental degradation had
occurred could be charged directly for
corrective action.
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Social Activists
Underscore the importance of social activism by
concerned citizens in raising public awareness.
EXAMPLE: Rachel Carsons book Silent Spring was a catalyst of
environmental movement. She made a compelling case that pesticides
were killing creatures beyond their intended target insects.
Carson had a scientific
credibility, having earned a
bachelors degree in biology
and a masters degree inzoology and then spending a
career working for the Fish
and Wildlife Service.
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THE END Thank You for Listening :)))