Professor James Kimmins, co-chair of the session, gave introduction about current views of the environmental problems and ethics. For a long time, human beings have caused over-exploiting of resources, damaged environment and species extinction. However, concerns about wilderness are relatively recent. Several questions are being raised, such as “Do non-human species has the same rights as human beings?” and “Do ecosystems have ‘health' like individual organisms.
Saksit Tridech, deputy permanent secretary and co-chair of the session, emphasized on several global environmental problems, e.g. ice sheet melting and consumption wastes. Some resolving measures were suggested, including educating children and changing habits to be more friendly to environment. Most importantly, environmental concerns and solutions should be thoroughly discussed and brought to other people's attention.
Professor John Hattingh gave a short sketch of three “snapshots” of environmental ethics in the context of international action. These three snapshots are (1) the Kyoto Protocol, aimed to reduce greenhouse-gas emission; (2) the World Summit on Sustainable Development of Johannesburg, made in the implementation of Agenda 21 that involves environmental protection and sustainable development; and (3) the Millenium Development Goals, focused on protecting our common environment as well as eradicating poverty and establishing human dignity. Furthermore, three positions in theoretical environmental ethics are discussed. The Anthropocentric position is centered on human beings' needs, whereas the Ecocentric position is focused on “intrinsic value” of nature. Both of these positions are not enough to resolve the current environmental problems. Therefore, Radical position, determining root causes of environmental problems stemming from economic and political powers, should also be required.
Nadja Tollemache pointed out that short-term benefit gain is often viewed, especially by most democratic governments, as more attractive than long-term, not-yet-seen benefit. Social attitude must be changed in order to solve environmental problems. Toward this goal, educating people, especially children, is a time-consuming but essential process.
Chamniern Paul Vorratnchaiphan indicated the failure of instrumental value theories, economic instrument and political economy of decision making to prevent environmental problems. The Deep Ecological Awareness, or Spiritual Maturity, is proposed to be the solution. Believing in the Spirits of Nature enhances respect and gratitude (Kalayanamitra) to Nature, therefore leading to sustainable development in society.