The ethics of sustainable development
nations. 10 The World Bank estimates that 100 million people could becoming impoverished due to climate change by 2030. 11 Whilst economic growth is crucial in reducing absolute poverty, if it is unsustainable, it could only worsen the quality of life for vulnerable populations by contributing to global warming. Therefore, it is in the interest of developing nations to prioritize sustainable growth over short-term development. The former may provide unstable, immediate alleviations in poverty levels, but the latter will most likely better protect future generations and reduce their vulnerability. When approaching issues about economic growth that conflict with environmental preservation, the more radical ecocentric philosophy can be used: deep ecology (the view that nature has an intrinsic value and should not be seen simply as a resource). It proposes all humans have a moral obligation to protect the natural world and was pioneered by Arne Næss, who discussed the basic principle for deep ecology:
‘The well - being and flourishing of… nonhuman Life on Earth have value in themselves... independent of the usefulness of the non- human world for human purposes.’ 12
Deep ecology suggests that leaders around the world should aim for a drastic shift in mindset: damage to the natural world cannot be seen as an inevitable cost of economic action. Universally applicable ethical standards towards nature should be incorporated in all policies, regardless of historical context. Policy makers should not see their moral responsibility to act in the interests of their people as conflicting with their duty to nature because sustainable development can result in ethical consistency by protecting people against the worsening climate crisis and future issues while recognizing the intrinsic value of all life forms. However, deep ecology is undermined by being utopian and inauthentic, and it fails to identify philosophical, social and political roots of the environmental crisis. Homo Economicus – the belief that economic growth is primary and will lead to greater wellbeing in all areas of society – drives much of developing nations’ po licy. Governments gain resources as economies grow to be spent on social services and reduce inequality. This aligns with public choice theory, the fact that governments will prioritize action that yields short term results and will ensure they maintain power and is especially prevalent in efficient democracies. Therefore, immediate growth and spending on welfare tends to be a priority for governments to appease people and can be costly on the environment if policy is too ruthless. The deep ecological mindset to value nature independent of its impact on humans is likely ineffective in protecting the environment against the desire for progressivism, the belief that human condition will improve through abundant choice. However, a combination of deep ecology and adaptive governance can be used to recognize the inherent value of nature outside of its uses to humans while also incorporating socio-economic factors to lead to effective environmental policies. This is an idea discussed by Kofi Akamani who believes social-ecological systems (SES) are complex and can be characterized by attributes like
10 U.S. Global Leadership Coalition 2021. 11 Ibid. 12 Næss 2005: 68.
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