ENVIROMENTAL ETHICS

INTRODUCTION

DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS:

 Environmental ethics is the study of moral issues related to the environment and the
beliefs or attitudes people have about these issues.

o Moral issues are questions or situations where we must decide what is right or
wrong, based on our values, beliefs, or ethical principles. These issues often involve
determining the best course of action when there are conflicting values or potential
harm to others.

In environmental ethics, moral issues arise when we need to consider how our
actions, technologies, or policies affect the environment and the well-being of
humans, animals, and ecosystems. For example:

 Is it right to use natural resources at a rate that could deplete them for future
generations?

 Should we prioritize economic growth over environmental protection?

 How much pollution is acceptable for the sake of technological development?

These are examples of moral issues that require thoughtful consideration of both the
short-term benefits and long-term consequences.

 It explores the ethical foundation of the environmental movement and helps us

understand our responsibility towards the environment.

The ethical foundation refers to the basic moral principles or values that guide how
we think about and interact with the environment.

The ethical foundation provides the reasons why people, including engineers, should
care about the environment and act responsibly to avoid harm and promote
sustainability. It helps us understand why protecting the environment is the right
thing to do.

WHY TO STUDY ENGINEERING ETHICS?

1. Understanding Responsibility:

o As an engineer, your work can impact society in significant ways. Whether

you're designing a bridge, developing software, or creating medical devices,
your work affects people’s lives, safety, and well-being.

o Engineering ethics helps you understand your professional responsibilities to

society, ensuring that your decisions and actions are not just technically sound
but also morally and ethically right.

2. Protecting Public Safety and Welfare:

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o Engineers create technologies and systems that people rely on daily (e.g.,
transportation, infrastructure, communication). Mistakes or negligence can
have serious consequences, leading to accidents, injuries, or environmental
harm.

o Studying ethics teaches engineers to prioritize the safety, health, and welfare
of the public, as required by many professional engineering codes (e.g., ASCE
Code of Ethics).

3. Dealing with Complex Ethical Dilemmas:

o In your career, you may face situations where you need to balance cost,
safety, and sustainability. For example, cutting costs on a project might
compromise safety standards.

o Ethics gives you a framework for making tough decisions, helping you
choose actions that are ethically sound even when faced with competing
pressures.

4. Preventing Misuse of Technology:

o Engineering innovations can be used for both good and harmful purposes. For
instance, certain technologies may contribute to pollution, surveillance, or
even weaponization.

o Ethics helps engineers evaluate the social impact of their designs and take
responsibility for ensuring their work benefits society rather than causing
harm.

5. Promoting Sustainable Development:

o Today’s engineers are tasked with solving challenges related to sustainability

—such as climate change, energy use, and resource depletion.

o Engineering ethics encourages professionals to develop eco-friendly solutions

and make decisions that protect the environment for future generations.

6. Professional Integrity:

o Ethics is about maintaining honesty, integrity, and accountability in your

work. As an engineer, you're trusted to uphold standards, avoid corruption,
and make fair, unbiased decisions.

o Ethics education helps you build a strong professional reputation, ensuring

you act transparently and honestly, especially when public trust is involved.

7. Adhering to Laws and Regulations:

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o Engineers must comply with various laws, regulations, and professional

standards. Violating these rules can lead to legal consequences, project
delays, or even loss of your professional license.

o By studying ethics, engineers learn to navigate these legal responsibilities

while maintaining ethical standards in their work.

ROLE OF ENGINEERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS:

 Engineers create technology that can harm or improve the environment. As such,
they have a professional duty to protect the environment.

 Engineers are agents of change and experimenters. They play a key role in
protecting and preserving the environment.

 In the past, many engineers neglected environmental considerations in their work.

Now, it is critical for them to:

1. Design eco-friendly tools and machines.

2. Develop sustainable products and processes.

3. Implement projects that focus on the safety and protection of the

environment.

KEY GOALS FOR ENGINEERS:

 Protection of the environment: Ensuring that technology and engineering do not

harm natural ecosystems.

 Preventing degradation: Avoiding actions that contribute to environmental damage.

 Conserving resources: Using natural resources wisely to ensure future generations

can meet their needs.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:

 The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Code of Ethics highlights the
need for engineers to prioritize the safety, health, and welfare of the public.

 Engineers should also strive to meet the principles of sustainable development—

ensuring that current development needs are met without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.

ENGINEERS' DUTIES IN ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS:

1. Environmental Impact Assessment:

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o Engineers should assess the unintended effects of technology, such as

pollution and waste, and understand how these affect land, water, air, and
even space.

2. Establishing Standards:

o Engineers must study pollution levels and set standards for what is tolerable
and what is harmful.

3. Implementing Countermeasures:

o Engineers should identify and implement measures to protect the environment

and reduce pollution.

o Example: Reducing Industrial Emissions

Issue: Factories and industries often release harmful gases like carbon
dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere,
contributing to air pollution and climate change.

Countermeasure: Engineers can implement scrubbers in industrial

chimneys. Scrubbers are devices that filter and remove pollutants from
exhaust gases before they are released into the atmosphere.

Result: This reduces harmful emissions, improving air quality and

minimizing the industry's environmental impact.

4. Environmental Awareness:

o Engineers should promote education and awareness about environmental

issues, practices, and solutions among the public.

ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS

1. Plastic Waste Disposal

 Plastic Usage: Plastics are widely used in our country, from water bottles to
packaging for everyday items.

 Disposal Issue: Most plastic is not recycled and ends up in places like gutters, roads,
and fields, causing harm to the environment.

 Burning Plastic: Burning plastic in streets and during temple rituals releases toxic
fumes, worsening air pollution.

 Action Needed: Cities and local governments must act by collecting and arranging
recycling through industries.

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2. e-Waste Disposal

 Toxic Elements: Old electronic devices like computers and phones contain harmful
chemicals like lead, mercury, and cadmium.

 Illegal Imports: Many unethical organizations import this e-waste illegally to salvage
valuable parts, violating the Basel Convention.

 Health Risks: Workers handling e-waste are exposed to hazardous conditions, risking
their health.

 Solutions: Regulations are needed, such as:

1. Industries setting up disassembling facilities.

2. Ban on landfill disposal of e-waste.

3. Recycling laws.

4. Incentives for eco-friendly designs.

3. Industrial Waste Disposal

 Pollution Complaints: Industrial plants, like the Sterlite Copper Smelting Plant in
Thuthukkudi, have been criticized for polluting the environment.

 Asbestos Risk: Disposing of old ships like the French Warship Clemenceau was a
concern due to the presence of asbestos, which could harm both workers and the
environment.

4. Depletion of Ozone Layer

 Ozone Importance: The ozone layer shields the Earth from harmful UV rays.

 Causes: Chemicals like CFCs from air conditioners and refrigerators, and gases like
NO and NO₂, damage the ozone layer.

 Effects: This has led to increased cases of skin cancer, particularly in countries with
frequent sun exposure.

 Action Required: Engineers, governments, and industries must work together to

protect the ozone.

5. Global Warming

 Temperature Increase: Over the last century, Earth's temperature has increased by
0.8°C, and is projected to rise by 3°C by 2100.

 Greenhouse Gases: Carbon dioxide from vehicles and coal plants traps heat,
contributing to global warming.

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 Effects: This leads to stronger storms, droughts, heatwaves, and melting polar ice.

 International Efforts: Countries like Japan, India, and the US have met to discuss
reducing greenhouse gases, but more commitment is needed globally.

6. Acid Rain

 Cause: Power plants and industries release sulfur oxides and nitrous oxides into the
air, which combine with water to form acid rain.

 Effects: Acid rain damages the fertility of land and harms human health in affected
areas.

ENGINEERS AS MANAGERS

WHY ENGINEERS MOVE INTO MANAGEMENT ROLES:

1. Corporate Preference for Engineers:

o Many companies prefer engineers in management because they have both

technical knowledge and the ability to learn business techniques.

o It is easier to teach engineers business skills than to teach non-engineers the

technical aspects of the company.

2. Attractive Incentives for Engineers:

o Engineers are drawn to management positions due to higher pay, greater

authority, wider responsibilities, and increased prestige.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ENGINEER-MANAGERS

1. Promoting an Ethical Climate:

o Engineers in management roles are responsible for creating a workplace

environment that encourages ethical behaviour.

o The ethical climate is shaped by the nature of the organization, its

traditions, and the attitudes of the individuals within it.

2. Resolving Conflicts:

o Engineer-managers must handle and resolve conflicts within their teams or

organizations to maintain a healthy working atmosphere.

o Common conflicts include issues with schedules, resources, and

personalities.

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Key Characteristics of Engineer-Managers

1. Promoting Ethics:

o Engineer-managers help establish an ethical climate by framing company

policies and leading by example through their personal attitudes and
responsibilities.

2. Social Responsibility:

o Beyond maximizing profits, engineer-managers are responsible for producing

safe and useful products or services that also benefit society.

o Managers must show respect for employees, customers, and the public,
ensuring that products and services are not only valuable but also ethical and
sustainable.

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT FOR ENGINEER-MANAGERS

Conflict arises due to issues like schedules, resources, and personalities. The most common
types of conflicts in an engineering management role are:

1. Conflicts Over Schedules:

o These arise due to the timing and priority of different tasks and projects.

2. Conflicts Over Resources:

o Limited human resources and materials can create friction between teams.

3. Technical Conflicts:

o Engineers often face disagreements over technical approaches or project

requirements.

4. Administrative Conflicts:

o Issues like responsibilities, accountability, and management structures often

lead to disputes.

5. Personality Conflicts:

o Differences in individual psychology or ego can cause interpersonal issues.

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Principles of Conflict Resolution

The Harvard Negotiation Project outlines four key principles for resolving conflicts:

1. People: Separate the People from the Problem

o Focus on the issue at hand, not on who made the mistake. This approach helps
solve problems without blame and prevents future mistakes.

2. Interests: Focus on Interests, Not Positions

o Position refers to someone's fixed or rigid stance on an issue, like “I want

this done my way.”

o In conflict resolution, instead of getting stuck on people’s positions (which are

often inflexible), engineer-managers should focus on the interests or goals of
all parties, such as improving project efficiency, safety, or teamwork. This
helps in finding a solution that satisfies everyone's underlying needs, not just
their surface demands.

o For example:

If two teams are arguing over who gets access to a resource (position),
their real interest might be completing their projects efficiently. By
focusing on the interest, you could find a solution that helps both teams
share the resource in a way that benefits both.

The idea is to look beyond what people are asking for and understand
why they are asking for it.

Position: Two teams are arguing about who gets access to a specific
machine in the lab. Each team says, “We need the machine all
week.” This is their position—what they are demanding on the
surface.

Interest: If you ask why each team needs the machine, you might
discover that:

Team A needs the machine to test their design every morning.

Team B needs the machine to run analysis in the afternoons.

The interest of both teams is to complete their projects efficiently,

but their positions seem conflicting because they both want full access
to the machine.

By focusing on their interests (using the machine for their specific

tasks), you could create a solution like sharing the machine:

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Team A uses the machine in the mornings,

Team B uses it in the afternoons.

Instead of arguing over who gets the machine for the entire week
(position), focusing on their interests (completing tasks efficiently)
allows you to find a compromise that meets both teams’ needs.

The key takeaway is that sometimes people's positions seem rigid and
conflicting, but when you focus on the underlying interests (why they
need something), you can often find a solution that works for
everyone.

3. Options: Generate a Variety of Solutions

o Before making a decision, consider several alternatives. This allows for

flexibility and quick adjustments if the initial solution fails.

4. Criteria: Base Solutions on Objective Standards

o When you're resolving a conflict or making a decision, you need to figure out
how well your solution is working. To do that, you should use measurable
goals or objective standards. Here’s how you can think about it:

Efficiency:

 Does the solution save time or resources? For example, if you

find a new way to organize a project that reduces the time spent
by 20%, that’s a measurable improvement in efficiency.

Quality:

 Does the solution improve the overall performance or output?

For instance, if a change increases the quality of a product, like
reducing defects from 5% to 2%, that’s a measurable result.

Customer Satisfaction:

 Does the solution make customers happier? If after

implementing a new process, customer complaints decrease by
30%, you have a clear measure that customer satisfaction has
improved.

So, when making decisions or solving conflicts, look for ways to

measure the impact of the solution based on things like time saved,
product quality, or customer happiness. These are the objective
standards you use to see if the solution is actually effective.

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o The decision-making process should be fair and ethical, meaning that

everyone involved knows how the decision was made and that it follows moral
guidelines. This ensures transparency—people can see and understand the
reasons behind the choices made.

IEEE CODE OF ETHICS

The IEEE Code of Ethics highlights the professional and ethical responsibilities that
engineers must uphold to ensure their work positively impacts society and maintains the
highest standards of integrity.

1. Responsibility in Engineering Decisions:

Engineers must ensure that their decisions promote the safety, health, and welfare of
the public. If there are any risks or factors that could potentially endanger people or
the environment, it is their duty to disclose them promptly.

Example

Imagine an engineer is working on the design of a new bridge. During the

project, the engineer discovers that some of the materials being used do not
meet safety standards and could weaken the structure over time. This poses a
potential risk to public safety, as the bridge might fail earlier than expected or
in extreme conditions.
In this case, the engineer must immediately report the issue to the project
managers and relevant authorities, even if it means delaying the project or
increasing costs. By doing so, the engineer is ensuring that the decision
prioritizes the safety, health, and welfare of the public, as required by the
IEEE Code of Ethics.

2. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest:

Engineers should strive to avoid conflicts of interest in their professional work. If a
conflict does arise, they are responsible for disclosing it to all parties involved to
maintain transparency and integrity.

Example

Scenario: You are an IT project manager working on a software development

project for a client. You have a close personal relationship with one of the
software vendors who has submitted a bid for the project.
Example of Conflict of Interest: If you favour this vendor in the selection
process due to your personal relationship, it creates a conflict of interest. This
could lead to unfair advantage for the vendor and potentially harm the project
outcome if their bid is not the best option.
Resolution: To avoid this conflict of interest, you should disclose your
relationship with the vendor to your team and client. You should recuse
yourself from the decision-making process related to vendor selection and

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allow an independent committee to handle the evaluation and selection to

ensure fairness and transparency.

3. Honesty in Data and Estimates:

Engineers must be honest and realistic when presenting claims or estimates. They
should rely on accurate and available data to ensure their work is credible and
reliable.

4. Rejecting Bribery:
Bribery and unethical behavior in any form should be rejected by engineers. They
must not compromise their ethical standards for personal or professional gain.

5. Improving Understanding of Technology:

Engineers are responsible for helping others understand technology and its
appropriate use. This includes educating others on both the applications of
technology and its potential consequences.

6. Maintaining and Improving Competence:

Engineers should continually work to maintain and improve their skills. They
should only undertake tasks for which they are properly qualified by education or
experience. If they have limitations in their qualifications, they must fully disclose
them before taking on work.

7. Accepting Criticism and Correcting Errors:

Engineers should be open to honest criticism of their work. They must be willing to
correct errors when identified and properly credit others for their contributions to
any technical work.

8. Treating People Fairly:

Engineers must treat all people fairly and without bias, regardless of their race,
religion, gender, disability, age, or national origin. Professional interactions should
always be grounded in fairness and respect.

9. Avoiding Harm to Others:

Engineers should take care not to harm others through false or malicious actions.
This includes safeguarding the reputation, property, or employment of others and
ensuring that their actions do not cause undue harm.

10. Supporting Colleagues' Professional Development:

Engineers have a duty to assist in the professional development of their colleagues.
This includes providing guidance and support to ensure they adhere to the same
ethical standards outlined in the IEEE Code of Ethics.

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