Ethical and Moral Value

Ethical and Moral value refers to the principles that humans should abide by to maintain a healthy relationship with the coexistence of various species on the planet.

Biodiversity, as the name itself suggests, is the diversity of life. It is all the living matter we see around us – plants, animals, microorganisms, fungi, etc. All of these things interconnect to create an ecosystem and the non-living components like air, water, and soil and help maintain the balance of nature. Biodiversity is responsible for providing us with oxygen, regulating climate, ensuring food security, availability of clean air and water, providing aesthetic pleasure for tourists, and many more things. However, we humans have always found a way to exploit nature, resulting in biodiversity loss on a large scale. It is a given that protecting the life forms around us is a significant matter to address. This article talks about the ethical and moral values related to biodiversity conservation. 

What is Ethical and Moral Value?

In general terms, ethical and moral value refers to the principles we live our lives by. It involves addressing what is morally right and morally wrong in any particular activity we perform or situations we deal with. This includes values like honesty, responsibility, integrity etc. Ethical and moral values form the roots of a progressive society. It prevents humanity from collapsing towards destruction and societal evil. 

The core eight values of Biodiversity 

Biodiversity holds a great significance for humans in all aspects – be it related to culture, environment or economy, it is of extreme value to all organisms. The significant eight values associated with biodiversity are listed below –

1. Aesthetic value
2. Consumption use value
3. Productive use value
4. Economic Value
5. Social and Cultural value
6. Environmental values
7. Option value
8. Ethical and moral value

Ethical and Moral Values of Biodiversity 

When talking about conservation of the existing and future biodiversity, ethical and moral value refers to the internal principles that humans should abide by to maintain a healthy relationship with the coexistence of various species on the planet. This entire concept can be watered down to ‘protecting all the life forms around us.’ Ethical and moral values make people want to think about the importance of nature and all living beings around us. It is fair to say that the presence of these values in a human makes them realise that everything living around us has the right to live, and we are responsible for protecting their habitat and making sure that others do the same. 

The need to conserve biodiversity

The last few decades have seen a steep fall in various species around us due to global warming, pollution, illegal hunting and other reasons. This calls for measures to conserve what is left, or scientists speculate that if this goes on, Earth will become a deserted land someday. However, aside from this and the economic and environmental benefits associated with conserving biodiversity, there are various other reasons to do so that includes traditions and cultures passed down generations that teach the importance of all living matter. 

Aside from this, almost all religions talk about biodiversity protection in their texts and preachings. And if not these, then the basic empathy makes one understand that the other living organisms have as much right to live on this Earth as us humans. Hence, it is necessary to look into the well-being of all living forms around us. 

Measures are taken to conserve biodiversity 

The people and government take various measures to preserve biodiversity. Some of these are –

• National Parks or nature preserves are built by governmental institutions as sacred spots reserved for wildlife. India has 106 national parks today that are built all over the country for the same purpose. These parks help conserve the wildlife in their natural habitat and provide sites for recreational activities so that people come to learn about the ethical and moral value of biodiversity and abide by it.

• Captive breeding is considered essential to monitor and encourage the survival of near-extinct species. Seed banks are also deemed crucial as a precautionary measure if any plant gets endangered.

• Adapting to a sustainable lifestyle can be a good contribution from the side of people when talking about conserving biodiversity. It will come into effect when people realise biodiversity’s ethical and moral value. Some examples of a sustainable lifestyle are carpooling, avoiding showers when taking a bath, turning off electrical appliances when not in use etc.

• Raising awareness about the need to preserve biodiversity can be done through imparting education, campaigns, media, entertainment and other methods. It readily shares the ethical and moral values related to the need of conserving biodiversity among people and makes them accept to adapt to sustainable living.

Similarly, other ways include scientific research in the field, habitat restoration, abiding by laws related to nature like illegal hunting and poaching of animals etc.

Conclusion

Biodiversity comprises all the living matter around us. There are eight values associated with biodiversity, and biodiversity’s ethical and moral value is one of them. It talks about the principles that humans should abide by to ensure the conservation of all forms of life around us. There is an urgent need to preserve biodiversity because of the depletion and extinction of species around us. Measures like sustainable living, raising awareness, building national parks, and more can be taken up to conserve biodiversity.