As we move through the second half of class, now is a good time to start thinking about your capstone course, which is the last course you will take as part of your MS Environmental Policy and Management program.
We have a few options! Have you decided whether you will enroll in the portfolio, project, or thesis capstone course? In this discussion, tell us which capstone option you are thinking about (the end is in sight!) and whether you have already taken EVSP601 Capstone proposal, required if you enroll in the project or thesis courses.
Getting back to our course topic, in this forum discussion we consider the topics of pollution, climate change, human health, economics, consumerism, sustainability, and world religions in environmental ethics.
You have the opportunity to select one of the following topics to lead the discussion.
Please be sure to let us know which topic you are covering in your title.
If you can, offer a catchy, interesting title to encourage readers.
Topic 1: Considering the Western and non-Western views of religion and environmental ethics, select one or more world religions and discuss its/their focus on the environment.
Do these religions have guiding principles related to the environment? Is there consideration for humans? Wildlife? Vegetation? You may also decide to consider how religion influences or motivates environmental protection.
Or, perhaps you argue that religion does not promote environmental protection.
Further, consider what role (if any) religion and religious ideas play in environmental decline.
Support your critique.
Please be sure to focus your posts on environmental ethics - use appropriate vocabulary and contribute to the scholarly discussion.
Topic 2: There is an important reading in the field of environmental ethics by Baxter (1974) titled "People or penguins: The case for optimal pollution" that we all read at the beginning of class.
We all can recognize that society today produces pollution, whether it be in personal consumption or as part of the services society affords, e.g., road building and maintenance, energy and water infrastructure, manufacturing, and food supply.
You can focus on any of the topics under soil, water, and air pollution, including climate change, to lead this discussion.
Address the optimal pollution for this topic and how policy could be shaped to manage the pollution concerns.
You may or may not agree with Baxter, let us know if your critique is supported by his.
Please be sure to focus your posts on environmental ethics - use appropriate vocabulary and contribute to the scholarly discussion.
Topic 3: Today, with the internet, email, and smartphones, we are more aware than ever of the ecological consequences of human development activities, especially when these developments are impacted by natural or anthropogenic disasters.
In recent years, we have seen the consequences of hurricanes (e.g., Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Fiona, Hurricane Ian); drought and wildfires in the U.S.
West, the Amazon, Australia, etc.; an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico; and a tsunami in Japan.
Given the current approaches and trends in economic growth and globalization, urbanization, and increased consumption, we are likely to continue to see these consequences.
Address the following question: can we achieve a sustainable society given the current global economic structure? In order to address this question, select one situation, explain it to the class, and then present your well-developed thoughts on the topic.
Be sure your focus is directed to topics in environmental ethics.
In addressing these options, think back on some of the topics we have discussed or that the readings highlighted.
Do you see connections between the more theoretical foundations of environmental ethics presented in the course and real-world applications?
Initial Post Due: Sunday, Week 7 11:55 pm ET
Responses and Replies Due: Sunday, Week 8 11:55 pm ET
**note these are due dates - if you make replies and responses in Weeks 7 and 8, that is fine and encouraged, these are just deadlines for week endings, not restrictions on also engaging in discussion in Week 7.
Rubrics