m32.    How do ethics impact ecology?

Universalists believe that certain absolute, eternal, unchanging ethical rules apply to all people and cultures. Relativists or situational ethicists believe that ethical rules are not fixed and may change with particular situations, persons, species or societies. The ecosphere is more complex than we can ever understand. Everything and everyone are interconnected. Some parts of the world have are already past the carrying capacity of that area of the earth. Everything we have or will have comes directly from the earth and from the sun and follows certain physical laws:

• Conservation of matter:  we can never really throw anything away.
• First law of thermodynamics:  we can't get something for nothing.
• Second law of thermodynamics:  every action we take has an impact on the environment.

The Planetary worldview is human-centered (anthropocentric). In this view, other species are here to serve mankind. Technology, and science can undo any damage done to the ecosystems.

The Earth wisdom worldview is life-centered (ecocentric). All species have the right to struggle to exist and to play their roles in evolution. Resources are limited and are not for mankind's use only; a healthy economy depends on a healthy environment.

Ecofeminism states that violence and oppression are due to the male-dominated worldview present since the beginning of agriculture. Globally, females do 65% of the world's work, including growing and gathering food and firewood, and hauling water. Females earn less than 10% of all the wages, own less than 1% of all the property and have fewer rights than do men.  

e01.    What is biodiversity?

e10.    Why do organisms become extinct?

e11.    What types of old-growth forests are there?

e14.    What are the basic components of life?

g04.    What causes climates to change?

g14.    How can global warming affect sea levels?