IndexIntroductionDesJardins' Approach to Environmental SustainabilityUnderstanding ResponsibilityHistorical PerspectiveConclusionIntroductionJoseph DesJardins, an influential environmental ethicist renowned for his work "Environmental Ethics ", delves into the critical question of “Responsibilities towards future generations” in the fourth chapter of his book. DesJardins highlights the growing world population and the resulting challenges it poses. The relentless increase in consumption patterns, if left unchecked, threatens to trigger both environmental and economic calamities resulting from the depletion of vital resources. DesJardins postulates that humanity's impact on the environment can be effectively measured by the interaction of three factors: population growth, consumption rates, levels of well-being, and technological innovations. Given historical evidence pointing to sustained population growth, the imperative for current generations lies in minimizing their ecological footprint by reducing consumption and promoting technological progress. In essence, DesJardins advocates an anthropocentric approach to environmental sustainability, emphasizing the moral and pragmatic necessity of conserving resources for the benefit of future generations. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay DesJardins' Approach to Environmental Sustainability Understanding Responsibility The complexities inherent in environmental ethics become apparent when we grapple with the knotty question of what responsibilities we owe to posterity. One lens through which to examine this issue is utilitarian theory, which assumes 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 “greatest happiness.” Furthermore, within the framework of utilitarian theory, immediate and tangible pleasures are often valued more than uncertain and distant ones. This trend leads to a devaluation of the happiness of future generations compared to the present one. However, as DesJardins convincingly argues, diminishing the well-being of future generations to the point of making it irrelevant is morally untenable, since ethical principles require that we treat all individuals as equals. Drawing on the insights of Mary Williams, DesJardins argues that resource depletion is fundamentally incompatible with utilitarian theory, as it leads to the cessation of the value of resources, ultimately undermining the common good. Williams proposes the adoption of a policy known as "maximum sustainable yield", under which resources should be used only to the extent that sufficient quantities remain 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 focuses on the deontological consideration of the rights of future generations. It raises the poignant question of how individuals can possess rights that do not yet exist and whose existence is not guaranteed. In the framework of ethical reasoning, the principle of equality requires that all individuals, even hypothetical ones, are recognized as having rights. DesJardins seeks to personalize the responsibility owed to future generations by encouraging us to see them as individual beings. Use the powerful example of future great-grandchildren to inspire empathy, taking advantage of the innate human tendency to prioritizeto the well-being of the family. It is natural to say that you value the lives of your descendants as much as your own and believe that their lineage deserves equal treatment, including the opportunity for good health and living conditions. In his exposition, DesJardins cites the perspective of philosopher Brian Barry, who assumes that ensuring equal opportunities for future generations requires fair allocation of resources or, failing that, compensation. Barry's deontological theory of equal opportunity harmonizes with Williams' utilitarian concept of maximizing overall social welfare. The shared emphasis on resource conservation and equitable distribution of benefits highlights the ethical imperative of safeguarding the interests of future generations. Historical Perspective In addition to addressing the complexity of our responsibility to future generations, a complete understanding of this ethical obligation requires a historical examination of humanity's interaction with the natural environment. This historical perspective highlights the pragmatic approach needed to pave the way towards a sustainable future. As the old adage reminds us, those who fail to learn from the past are condemned to repeat it. Through a historical lens, it becomes evident that we cannot place unwavering trust in the mechanisms of capitalist institutions operating within the free market, as they often prioritize production and consumption at the expense of ecological well-being. The essay “Carbon Metabolism: Global Capitalism, Climate Change, and the Biospheric Rift,” written by Brett Clark and Richard York, meticulously outlines the repercussions of a consumer-driven market on what is called the “metabolism” of society. This term encapsulates the intricate relationship between humanity and the natural world. Clark and York's analysis highlights a sobering reality: expecting simple improvements within the confines of the growth-driven capitalist system to heal the metabolic rift 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. It becomes evident that achieving sustainability requires more than simply implementing environmental policies aimed at resource conservation and reducing environmental impact; requires a fundamental shift in our perspective that includes a profound respect for the intrinsic value of the environment. Joseph DesJardins is also inspired by Mark Sagoff's point of view, underlining the need for a "value-based approach" that places fundamental importance on spiritual, aesthetic, and ethical values ​​rather than seeing the environment exclusively as a resource for the exploitation of capital. When we conceive of the Earth's biosphere as a shared inheritance, we go beyond a narrow focus on human interests alone. This perspective is in tune with Aldo Leopold's environmental ethics, as set out in his essay "The Ethics of the Earth". Leopold argues that ethics has undergone a three-part evolution. Initially it dealt with relationships between individuals; subsequently, he explored the interactions of individuals within society. DesJardins skillfully integrates these two ethical paradigms into his anthropocentric vision of environmental sustainability, where our responsibility towards future generations takes a central role. According to Leopold, the third stage of ethical development should include humanity's relationship with the ecosystem itself. Therefore, ethical ideologies should accentuate our duty to the environment, intrinsic ecological values, and willingness to make sacrifices, not solely driven, 75(2), 119-137.