Ethics and sustainability

[article extract] Ethics has always been the subject matter for philosophers often regarded as important by a few well-trained professionals. Ethics however is everything but that. It involves everyday life choices by all individuals living in society. It enables us to reflect on what we do and whether or not we have acted for the good of others or for our own selfish ends. We are constantly told by politicians and the media that we inhabit a world with endless opportunities, especially if you are fortunate enough to live in a highly developed society. The emergence of industrialism and mass production over recent centuries has fundamentally altered the way we produce and consume things in society, and the continuing list of environmental problems from salinity to pollution reminds us that our choices have not always been wisely made.