Utilitarianism and Environmental Policy

Utilitarianism and Environmental Policy The operating definition for Utilitarianism is value is equal to what can be derived from use, as a means to an end. Utilitarianism was founded by Jeremy Bentham. Utilitarianism can be connected to environmental policy as it provides a myriad of environmental ethics applications. With the utilization of utilitarian ideologies, it is implied that the environment is better protected for the benefit of the majority. Compared to other ideologies, such as egoism, rationalism, and altruism, utilitarianism prioritizes the well-being of the people and overall environment as it shapes decision-makers' ethical position regarding policies.

Utilitarian Subtypes Utilitarianism is a broad ideology, and consequently, manifests itself in unique subcategories that all translate into environmental policy in different ways. Common subtypes include ideal utilitarianism, act utilitarianism, rule utilitarianism, and preference utilitarianism. Ideal utilitarianism asserts that there is a variety of values at play that should be utilized in a way that maximizes utility. This ideology is reflected in environmental policies that consider economic, environmental, and social impacts and incorporates provisions for each aspect into the policy. Act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism emphasize maximizing utility in action and regulatory forms. Environmental policy that capitalizes on these ideologies reflects efficiency in processes and mobilization of individuals and resources. Preference utilitarianism addressed stakeholder preference and focuses policy aims on actions that will satisfy the stakeholder group. Preference utilitarianism inspires policies dependent upon mass individual motivation and outsourced funding and is strongly linked to pluralism.

Environmental Lobbying With utilitarian ideologies becoming more popular, its influence on environmental policy allows it to act as justification for the protection of wilderness, ecosystems, and species. In terms of environmental lobbying, groups such as the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) actively petition for legislation and regulations attempting to shift the economy towards clean and renewable energy sources through trade associations. The ICCR encourages a goal of net zero emissions by 2050. Environmental groups, like the ICCR, promote a paradigm shift towards clean air coupled with less gas and oil emissions. These environmental concepts are in the best interest of the majority. With environmental groups enacting environmental lobbying, the end goal is to provide a clean environment for the overall population, therefore encouraging utilitarian ideologies. Lobbying for environmental groups ratifies the best interest of the majority, while simultaneously encouraging majoritarian pluralism ethics. With time, this process leads to the incorporation of biased pluralism as select environmental groups properly utilize environmental lobbying and gain traction with stronger influential groups. Utilitarianism plays into the desires of the public as it prioritizes their overall well-being, therefore allowing for environmental lobbying to advance pluralistic ideologies and influence.

Intrinsic versus Utilitarian Value of Humans, Goods, and Services Utilitarian environmental policy is dependent upon the values of the policymakers and interest groups proposing the environmental legislation. Felicific calculus is an algorithmic measuring system designed by Jeremy Bentham that attempts to quantify the degree of pleasure or benefit of a complex action. Utilitarian value is commonly evaluated by Felicific calculus strategies. Utilitarian value equates value to what can be derived from use or works. This formula is consistent with theories of intrinsic value. When utilitarian value is applied in environmental policy, the specific benefit of a good or service is quantified and incorporated into the legislation. For example, the value of timber is calculated based on the ability of the resource to serve human needs. The United States Code outlines regulations promoting the protection of timber from natural disturbances, so that timber can be managed and used sustainably to maximize the human benefit from timber resource exploitation. Additionally, the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960 is a federal law that outlines best management practices for preserving natural renewable resources, including timber. The value of renewable resources that is reflected in both policies is derived from what these resources can provide to society, and consequently reflect utilitarianism. Humans are largely reliant on legislation that capitalizes on utilitarian value, as these policies are mostly in-line with anthropocentrism and self-interest principles to further personal and societal development.

Potential Tradeoffs of Utilitarian Policy Implementation As with all policymaking strategies, utilitarianism has its downfalls and is not without environmental, social, and economic tradeoffs. A major criticism of utilitarian policies is that they sacrifice environmental justice for the greater good. The primary concern of utilitarianism is maximizing yields, which implies benefitting the majority. Hydraulic fracturing consistently prioritizes utility for the majority over justified action. “Fracking” produces much-needed energy for society, but at the expense of access to clean water and the health of individuals proximal to active drill sites. Another common tradeoff associated with environmental utilitarianism includes the disproportionate representation of the biosphere as a means to elevate human needs. For example, using fossil fuels as primary energy sources allows technological advances for humans and raises the quality of life, but severely harms the environment through resource extraction techniques and the inevitable release of greenhouses gases as a byproduct of consumption.

Implementing Utilitarian Policies Integrating utilitarian ideologies in policies actively occurs in many world leaders' environmental policies. Brazil's original Forest Code of 1965 established a proportion of rural land that should be maintained permanently as forest and prohibits the clearing of vegetation in sensitive areas. The sensitive areas in question are vegetation on steep slopes and along the margins of rivers and streams. By enhancing deforestation regulations, this serves in the best interest of the people and the environment as maintaining the vegetation protects watersheds and immediate water sources. Carbon emissions from deforestation drastically increase, making it nearly impossible for countries facing excessive deforestation, such as Brazil, to meet their greenhouse gas emissions reductions. By implementing utilitarian policies in environmental practices, it allows for the public's best interests to be properly utilized.

Utilitarianism can be implemented in management practices to allow for the maximum utility of a resource to benefit the public. An example of utilitarian policy is maximum sustainable yield (MSY). Figure 3 depicts MSY being applied in field work in regards to fishing, as the maximum limit to fish is controlled by the MSY limits to allow for the population to properly regenerate to its maximum capacity.

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