Future Environmental Ethics in Society

Written by: Caroline Kim

October 22, 2022

Amidst continuing environmental challenges and efforts in our ever growing society, paving the way for future generations is crucial. And according to Audley and Stein, properly nurturing children's understanding and relationship with nature is key. Today, their article “Creating an Environmental Resiliency Framework: Changing Children’s Personal and Cultural Narratives to Build Environmental Resiliency” will be reviewed and key points will be selected to dive into what is most important in guiding younger generations to better care for the environment than those before them.

Right off the bat, the importance of narrative of the environment being incorporated into cultures is emphasized; this includes myths, legends, and stories. “To create resilient and balanced life ways, we need to change the stories we tell to bring them in line with a more sustainable future” (Audley, 2). The efficacy of simple storytelling and normalized narratives is shown in an example provided: “The idea that life in the USA is materially better than life elsewhere, and that individuals can become wealthy through their own actions continue to be powerful narratives drawing immigrants from around the world” (Audley, 3). While this narrational aspect is significant to children’s understanding of environmental ethics, they must also see a shared interest in those they look up to. “For children to build a resilient approach to looming issues such as climate change, they must sense that the adults in their lives are engaged in activism on their behalf” (Audlry, 4). Additionally, Audley and Stein emphasize the need for spending time outdoors in nature and having meaningful conversations, even when negative events occur; “Persons with an ecological sense of self are more likely to behave in a manner that is consistent with their beliefs, including spending more time outdoors and behaving in ways that are congruent with environmental concerns (Audley, 6). In their conclusion, they provide directions including fostering a reserved time for proper discussion and proposing schoolwide environmental frameworks to assimilate environmental concerns into daily discussions.

In terms of future policy and methods to bring abstract concepts to life, Rolston suggests “Both policy and ethics will be required… if environmental ethics can persuade large numbers of persons that an environment with biodiversity, with wilderness is a better world in which to live than one without these… that will get us clean air, water, soil conservation, national parks, some wildlife reserves and bird sanctuaries” (Rolston, 13). Environmental policies and moving forward with enforced regulations can be very sensitive to an idea; in past discussions with professors, I have heard suggestions as simple as placing a price on carbon emissions. While it is such a simple idea, the specific rules and requirements would need defining. Even in the closest city where I live, there were disagreements over how rain should be taxed (property size, the quantity of contribution, etc.). However, with meaningful discussion and efforts from today’s generations, I believe a better environmental ethic can be embraced by younger generations.

Sources:

Audley, Shannon R, and Ninian R Stein. “Creating an Environmental Resiliency Framework: Changing Children's Personal and Cultural Narratives to Build Environmental Resiliency, Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences.” DeepDyve, Springer US, 4 Mar. 2016, https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/springer-journal/creating-an-environmental-resiliency-framework-changing-children-s-bNYv5NGWSz.

Rolston, Holmes. “The Future of Environmental Ethics* - Mountain Scholar.” Mountain Scholar, 2011, https://mountainscholar.org/bitstream/handle/10217/70417/Future-Env-Ethics-Royal-Inst-Phil.pdf.