ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS AND ECOLOGICAL CRISIS: THE NECESSARY THOUGHTS TO REACH SUSTAINABILITY

This article is a theoretical review on the ethical conflicts which are present in the relations between society and environment, which establishes the boundaries of our growing ecological crisis. Due to the complex nature of the problem to be analyzed, it makes it necessary to approach it by using the deduction method for better understanding of the particular aspects of the phenomenon. Therefore, in order to create solid basis for discussion, we will, at first, present the circumstances involving man and nature by exposing the general outlook of our current ecological crisis. It poses itself as a challenge to be faced now, in the Third millennium, by all nations that must approach it reasonably, always looking for the balance between economical and human development as well as the protection of the environment. We also analyze certain issues regarding an urgent need for a new environmental ethics, which are based on the sustainability concepts by investigating the behavior and moral principles of our modern society. We understand there is a need for change in operational mentality in order to maintain and preserve our natural resources, and push this current nature crisis backwards. The theoretical foundations lay upon the work of authors such as JosE Renato Nalini, Leonardo Boff e M. L. Pelizzoli, whose texts helped determine the challenges to implement environmental ethics.