Right and Wrong Behavior to Living and Managing Land
Right and Wrong Behavior to Living and Managing Land
Introduction
Leopold is the man responsible for articulating the issue of land ethics. He indicated that man should no look at land as merely an area with soil. Instead, man should look at land as comprising of soil, native plants and animals. This definition of land will see that man lays more emphasis on his actions towards land and determine whether the actions are right or wrong. Unethical behavior on land leads to degradation which gradually culminates into complete disorganization of the land. Land, however, gradually recovers but looses it vitality to sustain a community, the plants or animals. This paper reviews the ideology of land ethics and the determination of what is considered ethical and non ethical behavior.
Overall, the paper shows the interconnectivity between land, man and the community. A man should thus strive to uphold ethical land activities as it subsequently affects him and the community as a whole.
Perspective of Land Ethics
Ethics involves an attitude towards the right and wrong. Since time immemorial the discussion of ethics has evolved from the ecological perspective, to the philosophical perspective. Overall, ethics deals with the relation between individuals in a societal set up. Currently, a new perspective of ethics is being introduced. Ethics in land refers to the relation of man to land and animals and plants that exist on that land (Leopold, 2001, p179). Previously, ethics simply referred to the aspects that encouraged man to cooperate in his place in a community.
With the introduction of land ethics, the concept of the community has been expanded to include the environment. This includes soil, water, plants, animals, and land. Land ethics does not refer to cessation of utilization of water, plants, soil etc. It refers to efforts to ensure that these resources affirm their right to continued existence in preferably in their natural state.
The perception of land ethics changes from conquerors and property to simply viewing man as citizens of the land. This new perception allows for man to engage in the right behavior and approach in managing and live on land. Land is not longer viewed as property which provides owners with economical sustainability (Rolston, 2000: p1050). It is viewed as a responsibility. The right behavior thus involves having a connection with land such that focus is on ensuring that there is healthy maintenance of land i.e. the water, plants, soils and animals. Adoption of this appropriate behavior guarantees that land is preserves for the current and future generations.
Philosophical Approach to Land
Matters of land ethics depend on the philosophical approach that an individual takes in relation to utilization of land. From an economical perspective, land ethics is based on an individual self interest. For example, an individual may own a piece of land near a river that serves the community with water. The land owner cultivates the land and disregards any conservation measures to prevent soil erosion. Subsequently, the land becomes severely eroded as soil is swept to the river. The community, which relies on the water, suffers due to water pollution with soil and chemicals such as pesticides. What the farmer fails to realize is that disregarding any conservation measure he also fails to achieve any economic worth to his farming activities (The wilderness Society, 2008).
The right behavior when dealing with land involves embracing conversation strategies. Conversation strategies ensure that there is harmony between man and land. Conservation of land involves active participation in efforts to manage water, the soil and the animals. An individual cannot claim to conserve water, yet he is engaging in deforestation exercise. All activities that relate to land are interconnected.
The right behavior in land ethics looks beyond the economic value of land. Having an economic perspective towards land means that individuals may disregard various plants, animals etc so that they could focus on resources that have economic value. Such a perspective tends to encourage ignoring a piece of land without any economic value. These resources may have no economic value nut they still play a vital role in the healthy functioning of the community. For example, land resources such as wildflowers, some birds and sand dunes may present no immediate economic value to man. Man may thus be tempted to intervene and eliminate these resources. This should, however, not be the case as these resources are essential elements of nature (Briggs, 2009; p158).
Economic Perspective
Land ethics also adopts a utilitarian approach. This means that individuals must look at the moral right of any act they intend to engage in. The morally right behavior is that whose consequences results to the overall benefit of the majority within a social setting. For instance, an individual may own a piece of land, and it contemplating on what to do with the farm. He can weigh the option of neglecting the land and let it lies idle versus cultivating the land and providing the community with food. The morally right action to do is to cultivate the land and produce farm produce (The wilderness Society, 2008). The farm produce will help him and the community as it will be a source of food. The benefit of farming on the land vis-a-vis letting it idle is high and thus the morally right behavior to adopt.
Ecological Conscience
The right behavior in land ethics involves the application of ecological conscience. Having ecological conscience means that an individual thinks over an action to determine its merits and demerits. Ecological conscience enables man to determine the right and wrong in terms of utilization of land (Leopold, 2001, p173). For example, an individual can be faced with the choice of dumping or not dumping sewage into a water source. The steps towards making the right choice hence the right behavior involves weighing merits and demerits.
Releasing sewage to a water source pollutes the water and makes it dangerous for use for the community members and the animals. The same arguments can be made for farmers who chose to plants their crops near watering holes such as rivers. The chemicals used to enhance growth of the crops sip to the water holes and pollute it. It then becomes dangerous for consumption for animal and human use. Aquatic animals are also severely affected by water pollution practices. The right behavior with regards to land ethics involves determines the action that will result to beneficial consequences. Water pollution interferes with ecology, and destroys plant and animal life.
The right behavior is that which promotes water conservation efforts. Establishing a sewer treatment area ensure that all sewerage is treated before it is directed to water holes. This ensures the aquatic life flourishes. It also benefits the community as it continues to thrive with reliance on the water.
Land Restoration
The right behavior in approaching and living on land involves restoration of worn out land areas. The right behavior involves treating land with love and respect hence engaging in restoration activities (Leopold, 2001, p169). Man engages in activities that ignore land ethics and lead to destruction of land. These are activities such as deforestation and overgrazing. Activities such as overgrazing and deforestation are wrong as they undermine the quality and viability of land.
Deforestation results to climatic changes as the forests cover serves as a water catchment area. It is vital for man to engage in activities that protect and preserve the planet. Land restoration activities such as afforestation and halting activities in overused lands ensure that the land becomes rejuvenated (Briggs, 2009; p155). These are right behavior activities that deal with land. Afforestation ensures that the land acquire cover. The trees become essential water catchment areas which revitalize regions that experience harsh climatic conditions such as long dry spells.
Conclusion
Land ethics involves making a choice on the appropriate actions that one can engage in without interfering with the ecosystems. Land integrates soil, water, plants and animals. It is vital that man adopts and elaborate ecological conscience so as to determine the right behavior when living and managing land. Land should not be considered as property but as an integral part of the ecosystem that determines the present and future of man. Right behavior such as water conservation, reduction of pollution, and afforestation must be adopted. Wrong behavior such as deforestation, soil erosion and water pollution are wrong behavior that must be avoided. Soil, water, plants and animals make up land resources and must be well maintained for the present and future generations.
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