1. Why does the environmental crisis demand a new ethic?

Environmental ethics seeks to determine what is the right or wrong action in relation to the
environment and why; that is, it identifies the foundations that best describe and prescribe human
beings' moral relationship to the environment. Most people agree that we must be environmentally
responsible in these environmentally conscious times. The goal of environmental ethics is not simply to
convince us that we should be concerned about the environment—many are already. Environmental
ethics, on the other hand, focuses on the moral foundation of environmental responsibility and the
extent to which this responsibility extends. A new environmental ethic can help promote a greater
understanding of the importance of environmental preservation. The challenge of environmental ethics
was to extend the field of ethics to future people as well as all living organisms, ecosystems, and nature.
Environmental ethics currents have provided various perspectives aimed at understanding the root
causes of the environmental crisis.

2. What are the conflicts between corporate behavior and environmental ethics?

Governance encompasses our individual choices and actions when they have an impact on
larger public policies or corporate behavior. It entails exercising authority and being in charge. It applies
to decision makers at all levels of government, including government managers and ministers, business
owners, property owners, farmers, and consumers. In a nutshell, governance is concerned with who is
responsible, how they wield power, and how they are held accountable. Environmental governance is
strongly intertwined to institutions—the organizations that frequently house official authority. However,
governance also includes oversight or advisory groups, corporate councils and trade groups, and even
private think tanks and advocacy groups that assist in policy formulation. Individuals can influence
environmental decisions by voting, lobbying, attending public hearings, and joining an environmental
watchdog or monitoring group. Our consumer actions are powerful governance forces. Overall,
environmental governance encompasses the entire set of institutions and decision-making practices that
communities employ to manage their environment and natural resources.

3. How can individuals direct business toward better environmental practices?

The enormous impact of business on the state of the environment emphasizes the critical
importance of environmental ethics. In business, incorporation allows for far greater organization and
concentration of wealth and power than individuals or partnerships. The daily tasks of industry, such as
procuring raw materials, manufacturing and marketing products, and disposing of wastes, cause large
amounts of pollution. The environmental movement has helped influence public opinion and begun to
encourage the business community toward greater environmental protection. Throughout the century,
more complex and restrictive environmental and public safety demands will increasingly influence
corporate decisions. Business will broaden its horizons and seek new ways to profit while promoting
environmental benefits and reducing environmental costs. However, as the world's population grows
and consumption levels rise, the environmental burden on the world will inevitably increase. Changes in
business practices will not be enough.