Aditya SrivastavaAIR 1 · CSE 2023 · 336 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
The recent Samudrayaan mission and Deep Ocean Mission are a case in point. They are very useful economically but have their own cons.
Body · points
(a) Major ethical issues in given case study
Half knowledge being used as a solution - can potentially backfire.
Economic development at cost of ecosystem → against environment as an end in itself.
Questions around distribution of mining benefits → equity and Gandhi's Talisman under scanner.
Recusal by companies - running away from responsibility to participate in research & bring new knowledge.
Deep ocean drilling → threat to biodiversity → using ocean as a means for human profits.
Knowledge without character as a Gandhian sin → using knowledge to drill without stakeholder approach.
Long term pain of climate change due to loss of homeostasis for short term monetary gains.
Treating 100 year growth as an end in itself →
"If you want to go fast, go alone If you want to go far, go together"
In this light, the following priorities need to be kept in mind →
Following can help in sustainable growth without affecting oceans
Principle of precaution → dont jump into conclusion unless you know the harms.
Research into potential impacts for data driven decisions.
Calculating the carrying capacity of the ocean ecosystem.
Clear norms to not violate lets say 90% of carrying capacity ↳ benefit of doubt to the environment.
Polluter pays principle to ensure the mining company establishes projects for ocean restoration.
Equitable sharing of benefits ↳ have global consensus to benefit Africa, other nations.
Diversify sources to reduce pressure on oceans.
"Health of planet is directly linked to health of ocean" - Ban ki Moon
Close · a framework
↓ uphold health of ocean at core
These would help to attain sustainable development while ensuring healthy oceans become the greatest untapped resource for growth as held by Ban ki Moon. Life on land (SDG-15) and life in water (SDG-14) both will be saved for sustainability.