Poverty and Pollution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Poverty and Pollution - Essay Example This paper outlines that Cubatao in Brazil, which may be the most polluted area in the whole world, has about 100,000 people living in the valley. Inhabitants have refused to sell their land and resettle elsewhere because of the readily available jobs from the industries and the cheap life around. This paper will examine the ethical implications of pollution in the third world, pollution as the price for progress, moral right to human beings of a livable environment, and global pollution standards. Additionally, the paper will examine whether the wealthy nations have an obligation to provide poorer nations with resources to develop greener industries. Ethical implications of businesses polluting in a third world country are common. First, every animal, plant, and other living things have a right to a better environment. It is unfortunate that pollution destroys their habitat shortens their lives. Additionally, pollution causes the extinction of some animals resulting in an incomplete life cycle of such animals. Living things depends on one another for survival and human beings depend on them. It is unethical that a human decision can result in death and loss of livelihood. Although human beings are superior to other beings, they have an obligation to other human beings and nonhuman beings. Secondly, right to bodily security supersedes all another human right including the right to property. The health of the environment is more important than all other rights because they protect human life. Therefore, pollution is unethical as it undermines a basic human right. Some businesses may conduct operations in a third world country and disregard any standards of pollution control. To reap the benefit of cheap labor and circumvent the strict conditions of working, many companies have moved their factories to third world countries.