




































JOURNAL OF PHILOSOPHY-4TH-EDITION (AQUINO)-2022


54

Abstract

Environmental philosophy reflects on the natural environment and the place of man. The 
crucial questions are human relation to environmental challenges such as environmental 
degradation, climate change, etc. There are catalogues of environmental disciplines from 
numerous faculties of human research such as environmental philosophy and ethics, 
environmental epidemiology, environmental microbiology, geography, environmental 
management, economics, and more. The multifaceted character leading to environmental 
crisis questions the extent of these human inquiries and their contributions. The problem 
is that, human activities and negligence to the adverse effects some of these activities has 
on the environment is costing us our most habitable planet. Environmental philosophy 
involves the reflection of nature which transcends the question about the 'ought' and 'is' of 
the natural world. Using an expository analyticalmethod, we shall elucidate, and clarify 
environmental ideas and problems, charting the course for environmental activities and 
principles to be followed in carrying out experiments on the environment. The aim of this 
paper is to query the existing order of environmental activities and proffer possible ways 
in which all in the belly of the earth can be preserved from the crisis of anthropocentrism 
thereby creating an awareness of the danger ensued from human activities to the 
environment. Moral obligation and relational responsibility should be extended to also 
non-human counters. The significance of this paper is in the solutions it proffers to 
resolve the problems of environmental degradation and preservation, because 
environmental degradation does not affect only the environment but also humans.

Keywords: Environment, Climate, Humans, Degradation, Ethics. 

Introduction
Environmental philosophy emerged as a branch of philosophy in the 1970s. It was an 
attempt to connect humanity's sense of alienation from nature. The trending debate 
around the 1970s and 80s was that of whether nature has intrinsic value in itself and is 
independent of human values or its value is merely instrumental with ecocentrism or deep 
ecology approaches emerging on the one hand versus consequentialist or pragmatist 
anthropocentric on the other. The aspect of philosophy that is very concerned with 
environmental and human values is environmental ethics. It asks crucial questions about 
human-environmental relations such as what do we mean when we talk about nature, 
what is the value of the environment, that is non-human environment to us, or in itself,  
what response should we give nature and environmental challenges such as 
environmental degradation, pollution, and climate change, how can we best understand 

ENVIRONMENTAL PHILOSOPHY: REVISITING THE PARADIGM 
SHIFT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION

Charles B. BEREBON, Ph.D & Judith G. GWATANA



the relationship between the natural world and human technology and development, and 
what is our hermeneutics and environmental theology? Before recent times, ethics or 
ethical values seemed to have eluded the environment and some Biomes that makes up the 
Eco-system and centred mostly around human beings, perhaps, if it were centred on the 
entire eco-system we would see how the functioning of every life and everything in our 
ecosystem are in sync. The ethics of anthropocentric hegemony fuelled the vehicle of 

th
industrialization in the mid-20  century in a somewhat blind manner and this has landed 
us where we are, a place where we are struggling for safety and preservation of life 
because of the outcome of our activities. According to Callicot (2008), guidance may 
have been sought from an understanding of the macro cosmos, ethics was confined to the 
microcosmos of human affairs. The actual physical world of plants, animals, and 
ecosystems was relentlessly exploited. 

Our environment is seen to be made up of biotic and abiotic elements that are living and 
non-living organisms/things. The range of things we see whether they occurred naturally 
or because of human activities (man-made), constitutes what form our environment, 
which means that natural elements such as water, land, air, plants areas, mountains, 
animals, humans, and the universe itself are constituents of our environment just as 
transportation, technology and communication, buildings etc. are part of the 
environment. We also see that the environment of a place/region largely determines the 
climate condition of such a place, if not immediately, then eventually. According to the 
Merriam-Webster dictionary, the climate is defined not only as “the prevailing set of 
conditions” but also as “the prevailing influence or environmental conditions 
characterizing a group or period ”. This means that if environmental features change or 
are altered, it invariably affects the climate condition of such an environment. But why is 
the climate so important? It is because the climate can literally determine where life can 
habit, it affects our food sources, and it determines what we wear, and so on. Seeing how 
important the environment is, we can also see why it should be preserved from abuse and 
misuse. It is therefore the duty of philosophy to open our eyes and minds to see the 
problems with the present state of things, this perhaps will enable us to come to terms with 
the reality of our environmental problems and find ways to solve them. 

Philosophical Concerns for the Environment
Environmental philosophy is a branch of Philosophy that is primarily concerned with the 
natural environment and the human environment. For Mathews, Environmental 
Philosophy examines our relationships as humans with our natural environment: it 
reviews our philosophical understandings of nature and our conception of nature's value 
and entitlements, (Matthews, 2014).According to Matthews (2014), part of 
environmental philosophy is, therefore, exploring what we know and justifiably believe 
about the environment. But we have to be careful not to stop there. Environmental 
philosophy requires us to develop wisdom about the environment. Environmental 
philosophy focuses on a holistic picture of the environment, deconstructing the dualistic 
mechanistic conception of the world and to give an ecological organic world view. This 
philosophy can influence our attitude towards the environment in positive ways where we 
are able to interact with the environment without degrading the natural resources. Our 

55

                                            Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 2 Issue 1 2022-June
ISSN: 2786-9792



planet earth is ill, the deplorable environment is of great concern since we depend on the 
natural environment for our livelihood but also for existence. Human activities have 
disrupted the ecological systems and natural cycles leading to deforestation, flooding, 
eroding soils, deteriorating rangelands, and the disappearing species each of which severs 
the web of life. As noted by Kii; 

This growing cosmic disharmony is evident in rivers running dry, 
destructive storms, the thinning of the ozone layer, melting glaciers, 
dying coral reefs etc. the so-called greenhouse gases continue to 
accumulate in the atmosphere, contributing to the global warming that 
has evidently changed our weather patterns, increased the ultraviolet 
radiation that reaches the earth surface and damaging both human 
health and ecosystems. The implication of all this is that the earth is 
wounded, under unsupportable stress, leading to an increasing 
discordance on the earth, thus rendering our planet less habitable, 
more dangerous, and less bountiful. 

Environmental philosophy is the attempt to outline the fundamental assumptions, basic 
principles, and normative ideas that characterize and shape a society's conception of itself 
in relation to its fellow life and the natural life-supporting environment. This includes the 
interpretation and evaluation of the kinds of practices and ways of life that may be 
licensed, cultivated, or encouraged by that society's general conception of itself in 
relation to its environment. For Norman (2003), one of the central tenets of the 
environmental philosophy outlined here is that humanity's relation to nature is shaped in 
varying degrees by the general conception of nature and human nature that is shared 
among its members.It should be noted that the sole aim of environmental philosophy is to 
reawaken some unexamined ideologies, values, and assumptions about why humans treat 
the environment the way they do and then to give an intelligent human response to the 
issues surrounding the environment, by so doing calling humanity to her moral 
responsibility for the damages the advance in technology and science is causing to the 
natural systems, leading to the environmental crisis. Two issues amongst many are of 
utmost concern to environmental philosophers, they are, environmental degradation and 
climate change. 

Environmental Degradation and Climate Change: Ecological Paradigm Shift
Environmental degradation can be referred to as the devaluation and destruction of forces 
and components of the environment.Environmental degradation is the deterioration of 
elements such as air and soil, the destruction of ecosystems, habitat destruction, the 
extinction of wildlife, and pollution,. These destructions also include large-scale clearing 
of forces by cutting down tree and burning of biomass (deforestation), desertification, 
drought, soil erosion, water pollution etc. are activities of human which portrays the 
absence of value for the ecosystem. For Schramm, environmental degradation is a 
product of five interrelated causes: 

(1) too many people, (2) some of whom are consuming too much, (3) 
using powerful technologies that frequently damage nature's 

56

Berebon & Gwatana               Environmental Philosophy: Revisiting the Paradigm  Shift ...



ecosystems, (4) supported by economic and political systems that 
permit and even encourage degradation and (5) informed by 
anthropocentric attitudes toward nature (Schramm et.al, 2003).

Climate can be described as the average course or condition of the weather at a place 
usually over a long period of years as exhibited by temperature, wind velocity, and 
precipitation,. Climate change on the other hand refers to a change or shift in the 
average climate condition of a region over a span of period. Climate change can also 
be referred to as the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather 
patterns in a place. A long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns,. Climate 
change is believed to include global warming and is caused by human activities 
through the emissions of greenhouse gasses. Greenhouse gasses that are being 
emitted are increasing dangerously and certain natural phenomena such as trees 
etc. which are meant to ameliorate the effects of these greenhouse gasses (which 
include carbon dioxide, methane, etc.) are being tempered with, misused, and 
abused alongside other natural and environmental biomass. The result of these is 
that the glass (greenhouse) which protects our planet from the ultra-violet rays of 
the sun has now cracked and caused the shifts we see in our climate conditions 
around the world. Some of the effects include altering ecosystems and natural 
habitats, rising sea levels, frequent and more intense extreme weather conditions, 
etc..

When we engage the tool of philosophy (which is to questioning) on the issues of 
environmental degradation and climate change in order to ascertain the what, why, and 
how of the problems, we find out that it is a result of certain 'careless' human activities. For 
several decades and centuries, issues of values, good, bad, right, and wrong have been 
limited within the horoscope of the human space, ignoring the presence and importance of 
other biomass in our ecosystems, therefore our attitude and activities toward this other 
biomass is the reason for the destruction of both our environment and our very selves. 
Thus, the ethics of value has had to be redirected from anthropocentrism to more holistic 
ethics of values for the entire eco. This new paradigm is expressed in environmental ethics 
or what some call 'anti-anthropocentrism', which is seeking the value for and the 
protection and preservation of our environmental forces. In a bid for survival in situations 
of lack and scarcity, people resort to various safe and unsafe means of surviving, 
therefore, poverty is not left out as it has contributed to the further destruction of the 
environment. Environmental deterioration has exacerbated the paucity of resources and 
forced people to adopt survival strategies that are harmful to the environment. .

Philosophy has the potential to salvage and rehabilitate the environment, and the 
biodiversity through an imperative critical appraisal. Environmental and development 
policymakers who ignore indigenous environmental philosophy can never achieve the 
success they desire, (Kelbessa, 2022). Since the environmental movement began four 
decades ago, there have been many different opinions as to what roles humans should 
play in protecting and preserving the environment, whether it is important (ethical 
viewpoint), and also the environment's impact on animals, economics, and creation of 

57

                                            Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 2 Issue 1 2022-June
ISSN: 2786-9792



change. Many people assume that the environment is in no danger and that we do not need 
to worry about recycling, protecting animal rights, and preserving the environment for 
future generations. We seem to overlook the fact that, humans are just another living 
being on the planet and have an equal part in the ecosystem as other living things. 
Therefore, life on earth should be treated as a single living system that includes 
interdependent living beings with their own rights. On the other hand, the destruction of 
the scenery, water pollution, air pollution, and similar environmental problems due to the 
increase in technology is not only affecting human beings (increase in health problems 
like asthma), but are also affecting the other living things and changing the natural 
environment we live in. However, if science and technology can create these problems, 
they should also have a solution to them. For the past few years, humans were blamed for 
their domination and greed toward nature.

Ecology as a discipline in the expanded sense of a combined socio-economic and 
biological science, examines how human misuse of 'nature' is causing pollution to the 
environment (biotic and abiotic), thereby threatening the base of life upon the human 
species itself depends on .Our concern for the environment and natural resources also 
raises the question of our obligations toward future generations. From a social contract 
view of ethics or for the ethical egoist, the answer would seem to be that we owe nothing 
to them because we can gain nothing from them. Most other ethical theories, however, do 
give weight to the interests of our coming generations. The Utilitarian would think that 
the potential existence of future generations should not constitute the reason for us to give 
less consideration to their interest than we give to our own. A healthy environment is 
essential to the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants who depend on it for the air 
they breathe, the water they drink as well as the food they eat. Unhealthy environments 
and lack of the natural resources essential for health such as food, fresh and 
uncontaminated water and air also contribute much to ill health and consequently deaths. 
Plants and animals of the natural ecosystem can be of health hazard depending on how we 
control them. By adequately protecting our environment, we set our lives against diseases 
and environmental degradation and alienate suffering and untimely deaths. These natural 
resources put us in our proper place, and failure to appreciate this value is not only an 
aesthetic failure but one of due humility and reverence, a moral disability. 

Ethical Implication of Environmental Degradation

Surely our actions and activities have future consequences for the continuation of life on 
earth. The issue of justice and fairness which are central to ethical discourse comes into 
play if we must answer the questions and issues before us. Apparently, human actions and 
activities towards the environment over the centuries have turned out to be neither just nor 
fair. “Changes in weather patterns have increased storm activity along the coast, affecting 
human coastal communities…Ultraviolet radiation from the thinning Ozone layer will 
interfere with vegetation” . These human-induced events (i.e., Deforestation, 
overexploitation, invasive species, overharvesting etc.) stand in the way of achieving 
social justice and the concept of being just or fair generally. Social justice involves the 
distribution of resources, wealth, privileges, and opportunities (i.e. food, water and 

58

Berebon & Gwatana               Environmental Philosophy: Revisiting the Paradigm  Shift ...



shelter) amongst individuals and societies in a fair way, but with the fast and multiple 
depletion of these resources, achieving fairness or justice would be nothing but mirages as 
there will be nothing to distribute eventually and the clamour for what is left will result to 
a situation of “might is right” a situation that is being fought and sought to be replaced 
with fairness and justice. Man's unjust behaviour towards the environment has now 
turned out to also be man's unjust behaviour to humanity as well. The importance of 
distribution of resources in social justice, especially as it concerns the environment is t, it 
will reduce if not eliminate the role poverty plays in harming the environment. Despite the 
increasing damage being done to our environment because of our activities, we are taking 
very little to no responsibility for our actions, yet we are 'moral agents'. The effects of 
environmental degradation on our climate has brought to our knowledge the issue of 
'intergenerational justice'. The Anthropocentric man's ideology has contributed a great 
deal in bringing us to this point where our climate is no longer safe for us, if we do not take 
responsibility for our actions which is the first step towards correcting it, total disaster is 
inevitable. The issue of intergenerational justice concerns what we owe our future 
generation in terms of global climate conditions and the continuity of all life forms.

Thus, the various flaring effects of environmental degradation on our climate is a call to 
our moral responsibility, a call for justice and fairness, especially in the areas of social and 
intergenerational justice which concerns themselves with the extent to which our 
behaviour and activities affect resource and relates among different generations. 
Fortunately, there are several feasible ways to correct the damage being done and save the 
future.

The Way Forward

Environmental philosophers have seen a need to improve on our present ethical codes in 
order to take into account our behaviour towards the environment. This has developed 
into a branch of ethics called environmental ethics. Although some philosophers believe 
that the present ethical codes are adequate to include non-humans simply by extension, 
some have seen the need to create a completely new ethical and metaphysical descriptions 
that were human-centred or anthropocentric. To avoid anthropocentrism philosophers 
have developed an ethics termed 'biocentric ethics'. Biocentric ethics refers to any theory 
that views life as possessing intrinsic value, . Aldo Leopold (1949) argues that a thing is 
right where it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. 
It is wrong when it tends otherwise.The moral theory of Aldo Leopold is an invitation for a 
revisit on our interrelationships with nature in which humans have the responsibility and 
the stewardship towards care. Although practical solutions are being found to some 
environmental problems nothing can be done really effectively without a coherent theory 
to underpin practical decision-making, . However, one way to promote any idea is 
through education, creating literacy on the subject matter. It is fundamental now that 
environmental education is taught from the Nursery to the Secondary sections of every 
school and by government mandate a compulsory subject and in the Tertiary institutions, 
environmental philosophy is made a compulsory course for all faculties in all tertiary 
institutions. By introducing environmental education to our school curriculum across all 

59

                                            Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 2 Issue 1 2022-June
ISSN: 2786-9792



levels, we will be establishing the sustainability of every solution that will be proffered 
towards environmental preservation because posterity will always be informed.
Given that environmental issues have become a global issue, several earth submits 
have been held to address environmental issues and this study encourages us to 
adopt their recommendations where necessary. Rio+20 is one of the earth summits 
organized by the United Nations with the aim of identifying and recommending problems 
and solutions to humanity's pressing challenges and obstacles to development and a better 
life. Since 1992, the summit has paid more attention to the environment as a sure way to 
sustainable development, after all, without it we cannot even be.

The purpose of the Rio+2012 issues briefs is to provide a channel for 
policymakers & other interested stakeholders to discuss and review 
issues relevant to the objective and themes of the conference, 
including a green economy in the context of sustainable development 
and poverty eradications.

The goal is to ensure that while we are 'developing we are not also 'dying', that is our 
methods and models of development must be all-embracing like that of the 'green 
economy' which includes renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable transport, water 
management, waste management. The implementation of a green economy guarantees 
the survival and continuity of biodiversity. The green economy is defined as an economy 
that aims at making issues of reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities and 
that aims for sustainable development without degrading the environment.(Wikipedia, 
2021). A study of ecological and environmental issues reveals that national as well as 
international survival of our world depends on our involvement in the very survival of 
human species and the natural endowments by which man, through its proper 
management improves his standard of living and makes this global village a better place 
to live in.

Conclusion

The environmental degradation only surmises what the future holds for us if the measures 
suggested in this paper others on environmental preservation are not considered 
seriously. Being aware of and embracing the facts of the matter is the first step towards 
making any difference, there is a need therefore, to first of all to be conscious and be 
reawaken from our collective ecological slumber and rise to the occasion of preserving 
our environment. For this reason, our previous ways of carefreeness towards the 
environment and our activities that degrades it should be dealt with. There is no 
gainsaying that our earth is ill. The responsibility for resolving the ecological injustice is 
in the hands of humans, unless corrective actions are taken, we may be losing our 
common home. There is, therefore, a need for relational and moral obligation towards the 
earth. The ecology will outlive man, so there is a need for a healthy relationship and 
attitude towards the environment. There is a need to rekindle interest in environmental 
preservation and conservation. 

60

Berebon & Gwatana               Environmental Philosophy: Revisiting the Paradigm  Shift ...



References

Barnard, H., Nature, Human Nature and Value, A Study in Environmental Philosophy, 
(University of Wales: Cardiff, 2006).

Frodeman R. & Callicot, B. J., Encyclopedia of Environmental Ethics and Philosophy: 
Abbey to Israel (Vol.1, Gale Cenage Learning, 2008), XX.

Kelbessa, W., 'AFRICA, SUB-SAHARAN', in Encyclopedia of Environmental Ethics 
and Philosophy: Abbey to Israel (Vol.1, Gale Cenage Learning, 2008).

Kelbessa, W., 'African Environmental Philosophy, Injustice, and Policy', in SFS, 
G e o r g e t o w n  J o u r n a l  o f  I n t e r n a t i o n a l  A f f a i r s ,  ( 2 0 2 2 ) ,  

Kii, P., Preservation of the Environment for Social Order in Niger Delta, A Perspective 
from Canon 747&2. (Port Harcourt: Fourth Dimension Publishing Co., Ltd, 
2017).

Leopold, A., A Sand County Almanac and Sketches here and there,  illustrated by C.W. 
Schwartz, (New York: Oxford University Press, 1949), 224-225

Liszka, J. J., 'ARCTIC', in Encyclopedia of Environmental Ethics and Philosophy: 
Abbey to Israel, (Vol.1, Gale Cenage Learning, 2008).

Mathews, F., Environmental Philosophy (La Trobe University, January, 2014) 

Merriam-Webster, Inc., (2021), 

. 
National Geographic Society, Climate, 

Reuther, R., Gaia and God: An Eco Feminist Theology of Earth Healing (San Francisco: 
Harper San Francisco, 1973).

RIO 2012 ISSUES BRIEFS, Sustainable cities, (UNCSD Secretariat No.5 2012).
Rose P., & Noonan, J., Environmental Philosophy and Its Onto-Ethical Problems: 

Ancient, Medieval and Contemporary world-view, (Canada: Encylopedia of Life 
Support Systems (EOLSS), 2003), 

Schramm, M., et al, Christian Environment Ethics: A Case Method Approach (New 
York: Orbis Book, 2003).

WIKIPEDIA, Environmental 
degradation

WIKIPEDIA, Green Economy, 

http://www.gjia.georgetown.edu/2022/02/16/african-environmental-
philosophy-injustice-and-policy

https://researchgate.net
https://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/environment#:~:text=1%20%3A%20a%20person's%2
0physical%20surroundings,in%20a%20comfortable%20rural%20environment

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/
topics/resource-library-climate/?q=&page=1&per_page=25

http://www.eolss.net/sample-
chapters/CO4/E6-25-04-03.Pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_degradation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_economy#:~:text=A%20green%20econom
y%20is%20an,a%20more%20politically%20applied%20focus

 

61

                                            Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 2 Issue 1 2022-June
ISSN: 2786-9792

http://www.gjia.georgetown.edu/2022/02/16/african-environmental-philosophy-injustice-and-policy
https://researchgate.net
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/environment
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/topics/resource-library-climate/?q=&page=1&per_page=25
http://www.eolss.net/sample-chapters/CO4/E6-25-04-03.Pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_degradation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_economy

	Page 1
	Page 2
	Page 3
	Page 4
	Page 5
	Page 6
	Page 7
	Page 8

