Engineering, Ecology, And Economics

7/31/2019 Engineering, Ecology, And Economics

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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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Engineering, Ecology, And Economics

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