Environmental Ethics

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 18

hunting by symbiotic domestication of various animals which was good for both man as well as animals. Otherwise with extinction of prey (animals) man would have annihilated himself also. Environmental concept envisages symbiotic and rational behaviour in human beings.
Spectre :
The scenario as of now and evolving the same way, is dismal. The continuing degradation of environment and depletion of life-supporting natural resources by exploding population and its reckless consumerism are matters of serious concern. The air we breathe, water we drink and the soil which produce our food are getting more and more polluted. In many cities air has become so much polluted by vehicular and industrial emissions that people require masks and frequent oxygen intake. The water in most of rivers and other surface and underground water bodies is so dangerously polluted by industrial, household and other effluents that it is not even safe for bathing, much less for drinking. Technologies and processes which are very costly and not affordable by poor and developing nations are required to purify water for drinking and even for industrial and other household uses. Within last five decades the requirement of water has increased so much that its per capita availability is reduced to one third from 6000 cum to 2200 cum just little above critical limit of 1700 cum. Experts fear that if population and consumerism continue to rise there will be fierce wars for water in near future. Because of over exploitation of underground water the water table is receding fast and has gone down at many places from few metres to hundreds of metres. This has also increased the fluoride content in water at several places causing fluorosis. Even the largest water bodies, the seas surrounding the planet earth are getting polluted by oil spills and other wastes including the hazardous atomic waste. Because of pollution and over exploitation of various products from the sea, its fishes, corals, shells, minerals and others, this eco-system