Table of ContentsIntroductionDesJardins' Approach to Environmental SustainabilityUnderstanding ResponsibilityHistorical PerspectiveConclusionIntroductionJoseph DesJardins, an influential environmental ethicist recognized for his work “Environmental Ethics”, addresses the critical issue number of “Responsibilities towards future generations” in the fourth chapter of his book. DesJardins highlights global population growth and the resulting challenges. The incessant increase in consumption patterns, if left unchecked, threatens to trigger both environmental and economic calamities resulting from the depletion of vital resources. DesJardins posits that humanity's impact on the environment can be effectively measured by the interaction of three factors: population growth, consumption rates, wealth levels, and technological innovations. Given historical evidence of sustained population growth, the imperative for current generations is to minimize their ecological footprint by reducing consumption and promoting technological progress. Essentially, DesJardins advocates an anthropocentric approach to environmental sustainability, emphasizing the moral and pragmatic need to conserve resources for the benefit of future generations. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay DesJardins' Approach to Environmental Sustainability Understanding Responsibility The complexities inherent in environmental ethics become apparent when grappling with the complex question of the responsibilities we owe to posterity. One approach through which to examine this question is utilitarian theory, which posits that the optimal course of action should minimize suffering and maximize happiness for the greatest number of individuals. However, a recurring ethical dilemma with utilitarianism lies in the nebulous concept of “maximum happiness.” Furthermore, within the framework of utilitarian theory, immediate and tangible pleasures are often more valued than uncertain and distant pleasures. This trend leads to a devaluation of the happiness of future generations compared to the present. However, as DesJardins convincingly argues, neglecting the well-being of future generations to the point of rendering it inconsequential is morally untenable, because ethical principles require that we treat all individuals equally. Building on the ideas of Mary Williams, DesJardins argues that resource depletion is fundamentally incompatible with utilitarian theory, because it leads to the cessation of the value of resources, thereby compromising the common good. Williams proposes the adoption of a policy known as "maximum sustainable yield", according to which resources should be used only to the extent that enough remains preserved for future generations to use them productively. This policy, as DesJardins points out, aligns with utilitarian principles by promoting the general good. Another dimension of the discourse on environmental ethics is centered on the deontological consideration of the rights of future generations. This raises the poignant question of how individuals who do not yet exist and whose existence is not guaranteed can possess rights. In the context of ethical reasoning, the principle of equality means that all individuals, even hypothetical ones, are granted rights. DesJardins seeks topersonalize responsibility towards future generations by encouraging us to consider them as individual beings. He uses the powerful example of his future great-grandchildren to inspire empathy, tapping into the innate human tendency to prioritize the well-being of the family. It is only natural to say that one values ​​the lives of one's descendants as much as one's own and believes that their lineage deserves equal treatment, including the opportunity to live and to live in good health.conditions. In his presentation, DesJardins cites the view of philosopher Brian Barry, according to which ensuring equality of opportunity for future generations requires a fair allocation of resources or, failing that, compensation. Barry's deontological theory of equality of opportunity aligns with Williams' utilitarian concept of maximizing overall societal well-being. The shared emphasis on resource conservation and equitable distribution of benefits underscores the ethical imperative to safeguard the interests of future generations. Historical Perspective In addition to addressing the complexities of our responsibility to future generations, a comprehensive understanding of this ethical obligation requires a historical examination of humanity's interaction with the natural environment. This historical perspective highlights the pragmatic approach required to pave the way for a sustainable future. As the old adage reminds us, those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. From a historical perspective, it becomes clear that we cannot unwaveringly rely on the mechanisms of capitalist institutions operating within the free market, as they often prioritize production and consumption over well-being ecological. The essay "Carbon Metabolism: Global Capitalism," Climate Change, and the Biospheric Rift, written by Brett Clark and Richard York, carefully describes the impact of a consumer-driven market on what is known as "carbon metabolism." "of society. This term encapsulates the complex relationship between humanity and the natural world. Clark and York's analysis highlights a sobering reality: expecting mere improvements within the confines of the capitalist system growth-oriented approach to bridging the metabolic divide is a misguided endeavor. A transcendence of the existing capitalist paradigm, rooted in the relentless pursuit of capital accumulation, becomes imperative if we are to achieve ecological sustainability. Sustainability requires more than simply implementing environmental policies aimed at conserving resources and reducing environmental impact; it requires a fundamental shift in our perspective that embraces a deep respect for the intrinsic value of the environment; environment. Joseph DesJardins also draws on the views of Mark Sagoff, emphasizing the need for a "values-based approach" that places primary importance on spiritual, aesthetic, and ethical values ​​rather than considering the environment alone. as a resource intended for the exploitation of capital. When we view the Earth's biosphere as a shared heritage, we move beyond a narrow focus on human interests alone. This perspective echoes the environmental ethics of Aldo Leopold, as expounded in his essay “The Land Ethic.” Leopold argues that ethics has evolved in three parts. Initially, it was about relationships between individuals; subsequently, he explored the interactions of individuals within society. DesJardins skillfully integrates these two ethical paradigms into its anthropocentric vision of sustainability, 75(2), 119-137.