Technocentrism and Ecocentrism

Abstract

“Prevention is better than cure” is a proverb commonly used to highlight how it is better to avoid a problem from the start rather than fixing the damage afterwards. When considering this concept to our approach to the environment, we encounter two schools of thought; Ecocentrism and Technocentrism. Ecocentrism places the ecosystem at the center and stress that we need to limit our natural resource exploitation, so that we can conserve the environment and prevent its destruction. Technocentrism, on the other hand, focuses on technology and science as a way to repair any damage done to the environment rather than changing ethical perspectives on environmental issues. This paper seeks to explore the two ideologies by comparing between Finland and Bhutan; two countries that seem to resemble the two approaches. Finland is considered one of the highly technologically advanced countries, in addition to its reputation for environmental protection. Bhutan is a Himalayan Kingdom that is known for its strong environment conservation and their intriguing approach to sustainable development. The paper compares between the two countries sustainable development approach, environment, and health. It was concluded that, in terms of the environment; Bhutan is doing much better than Finland. Finland’s carbon emissions reduction was mainly because they produce goods in other countries which increase the other countries emissions not Finland. Additionally, high consumption levels in Finland are a major threat to the environment. As for health, there is no extreme difference; however, Bhutan’s health care system is still improving. Yet, the two countries are facing serious issues regarding mental health. Ultimately, the ecocentric approach appears to be much better; especially, in this day and age as many downsides of technology keep unfolding.  

Keywords: {'name': 'Technology, Environmental degradation, Ecocentrism, Technocentrism'}

Authors & affiliations

Doaa m Salman
Affiliation not supplied

Deposited references

Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.

Anukwonke, C. (2015). The Concept of Tragedy of the Commons: Issues and Applications. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277708953_The_Concept_of_Tragedy_of_the_Commons_Issues_and_Applications/stats

Central Intelligence Agency (2019). The World Factbook. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fi.html

Clark, D. (2011). Which nations are most responsible for climate change?. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/apr/21/countries-responsible-climate-change

Costanza, R., Hart, M., Talberth, J., & Posner, S. (2009). Beyond GDP: The need for new measures of progress. The pardee papers.

Dolkar, S. (2018). Air Pollution Becoming a Serious Concern in Bhutan. BBS. Retrieved from http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=88662

DOI: 10.9734/ARJASS/2017/32821

Environment (2016). Air Pollution in Finland. Retrieved from https://www.ymparisto.fi/en-US/Climate_and_air/Air_pollution_control/Air_pollution_in_Finland

DOI: 10.1080/09614520500041963

DOI: 10.1002/sd.199

Hassi, S. (2017). What Finland doesn’t want you to know about its forests? Euractiv. Retrieved from https://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/opinion/what-finland-doesnt-want-you-to-know-about-its-forests/

Heller, T. & Kaminstein, D. (n.d.). The Loss of The Natural Environment: A Group Relations Perspective on Our Failure to Take Collective Action. Retrieved from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.89.1709&rep=rep1&type=pdf

DOI: 10.1186/1740-3391-9-10

DOI: 10.1080/13623699.2017.1411560

Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (2017). Bhutan. Retrieved from http://www.healthdata.org/bhutan

Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (2017). Finland. Retrieved from http://www.healthdata.org/finland

Jeffree, R. (2013). Bhutan’s Environmental Success is a Pleasing Paradox. The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/bhutans-environmental-success-is-a-pleasing-paradox-21338

Koljonen, A. (2018). Life expectancy is rising in Finland – unlike in the UK. What’s going right? The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/17/life-expectancy-rising-finland-uk-scandinavia

Lhaden, T. (2018). An Update on Bhutan’s Economy. World Bank. Retrieved from http://blogs.worldbank.org/endpovertyinsouthasia/update-bhutan-s-economy

Lhamo, P. (2017). Health Experts Look at Suicide and Causes. Kuensel. Retrieved from http://www.kuenselonline.com/health-experts-look-at-suicide-and-causes/

Lindgren, M. (2003). Finnish forestry: Destroying forests, destroying livelihoods. Forest. Retrieved from http://www.greenpeace.nl/Global/nederland/report/2007/8/finnish-forestry-destroying-f.pdf

Lyytimäki, J. & Lähteenoja, S. (2016). Finland Aims to Become a Sustainable Development Leader. Government Plan for Analysis, Assessment and Research. Retrieved from https://www.demoshelsinki.fi/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/PolicyBrief_en_Finland_aims_to_become_a_sustainable_development_leader.pdf

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland (n.d.). Forest resources in Finland. Retrieved from https://mmm.fi/en/forests/forestry/forest-resources

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland (n.d.). Renewable energy in Finland. Retrieved from https://tem.fi/en/renewable-energy

Ministry of the Environment (2014). Environmental Impacts of the Financial Crisis Evident. Retrieved from https://www.ym.fi/en-US/Nature/Environmental_impacts_of_the_financial_c(28166)

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (n.d.). Agenda 2030 – Sustainable Development Goals. Retrieved from https://um.fi/agenda-2030-sustainable-development-goals

Namgyel, P. (2019). Saving Bhutan’s Forest. Kuensel. Retrieved from http://www.kuenselonline.com/saving-bhutans-forest/

Pannozzo, L. (2011). ‘Brown cloud’ penetrates Bhutan. Bhutan Observer. Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20111011164221/http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/‘brown-cloud’-penetrates-Bhutan/

Sider, S. (2011). Bhutan’s Moving Gold: How water is powering the country. CNN. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/07/world/asia/bhutan-green-energy/index.html

The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan (2008). Retrieved from https://www.nationalcouncil.bt/assets/uploads/files/Constitution%20%20of%20Bhutan%20English.pdf

The Guardian (2009). Carbon emissions per person, by country .Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/datablog/2009/sep/02/carbon-emissions-per-person-capita

Thinley, S., Sharma, J. & Wangmo, K. (2017). Sustainability of Bhutan’s Health Services. The Druk Journal. Retrieved from http://drukjournal.bt/sustainability-of-bhutans-health-services/

Tutton, M. & Scott, K. (2018). What tiny Bhutan can teach the world about being carbon negative? CNN. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/11/asia/bhutan-carbon-negative/index.html

World Health Organization (2018). Suicide rate estimates, age-standardised Estimates by country. Retrieved from http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.MHSUICIDEASDR?lang=en

World Development Indicators-The World Bank (2019). Retrieved from https://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=2&series=AG.LND.IRIG.AG.ZS&country=

DOI: 10.3390/su10051622