This one-day seminar provides a basic understanding of sustainability ethics and how it differs from more established forms of applied ethics, such as environmental ethics and business ethics. Specifically, what ethical obligations fall on sustainability professionals to think systemically, taking into account the potential impacts of what they recommend or do? Students explore the social and environmental consequences of particular decisions and actions based on case studies from around the globe.

1. Helene V. Smookler
The Sohagi Law Group, PLC

2. TOPICS
I. Definitions
II. American and Ethics and Morality
III. Sustainability and Ethics
A. Case Study Sampler
B. Coal in Appalachia Case Study/Role Play
IV. Source of Ethics or Moral Principles: Motivations for
Behaving Ethically
A. The Greeks
B. Religions
C. Renaissance
D. Hobbes. Locke & Rousseau
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3. Topics (con’t)
E. 19th Century
1. Capitalism to Marxism
E. Thoreau
F. 20th Century
1. Early v. Late 20th Century
V. Environmentalism
VI. Sustainability
VII. Science
VIII.Environmental Justice
A. Century Freeway Case
B. Community Benefits Agreements
C. Laws & Regulations
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4. Topics (con’t)
VIII. Individual Responsibility: Professional Codes of
Ethics
A. Planners
B. Public Administrators
C. Engineers
D. Attorneys
IX. Proposed Sustainability Codes of Ethics
A. Hannover Principles
B. Professional Code of Ethics for Sustainability Professionals
X. Paradigm for Ethical Decision Making
XI. Solar in Desert Case Study/Role Play
XII. Suggested Readings
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5. The Gulf Oil “Spill”
Quiz
 You are mad as he*% at :
 __________________________________
 __________________________________
 __________________________________
 You are mad because:
 __________________________________
 __________________________________
 __________________________________
 We should immediately do the following:
 __________________________________
 __________________________________
 __________________________________
5

6. Copyright (c) 2010 Creators Syndicate 6

7. Copyright Cagle Cartoons 7

8. Coppyright (c) Creators Syndicate 8

9. The Gulf Oil Spill
 What ethical issues, if any, are involved?
 Who bears the responsibility?
 What is the best course of action?
 For individuals?
 For organizations?
 For nations?
 What is the likelihood of success?
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10. DEFINITIONS
10

11. Ethics
 Rules of conduct or moral principles that guide individual
or group behavior.
 Branch of philosophy which seeks to address questions
about morality, concepts like good and bad, right and
wrong, justice, virtue, etc. (also known as moral
philosophy).
 The study of principles relating to right and wrong
conduct; Morality; the standards that govern the conduct
of a person, especially a member of a profession.
11

12. Business Ethics*
 Rules of conduct or moral principles that guide
individual or group behavior. The focus in business
ethics is on awareness of organization values,
guidelines and codes, and behaving within those
boundaries when faced with dilemmas in business or
professional work. (SHRM)
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13. Environmental
Ethics
 The branch of ethics that examines the questions of
moral right and wrong relating to the management,
protection, or endangerment of the natural
environment.
 A cluster of beliefs, values and norms regarding how
humans should interact with the environment.
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14. Sustainability
 Sustainability: “Meeting the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.” (Brundtland
Report to the United Nations, 1987)
 Sustainable living or development: “Living on the
Earth’s income, not its capital.” (James Garvey, Ethics
of Climate Change)
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15. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
DIMENSIONS
15

16. Sustainability Ethics
 A new discipline that analyzes the issues regarding our
moral obligations to future generations with respect to
the environment.
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17. Thank you for viewing our presentation of
Sustainability Ethics
If you are interested in this seminar, the next offering will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2010
REG# V9288 | $350 | 808 Law | 0.6 CEU
6 hrs of CM credit for AICP certified planners | 6 hrs of MCLE credit
Location: UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 107 | 10920 Lindbrook Drive, Los Angeles, CA
Enroll: Call (310) 825 - 9971 or go to www.uclaextension.edu
Phone: (310) 825-7885 | Website: www.uclaextension.edu/publicpolicy
Blog: www.uclaextensionppp.wordpress.com | Twitter: www.twitter.com/unexpubpol
Address: UCLA Extension Public Policy Program, 10995 Le Conte Avenue, Suite 413, Los Angeles, CA 90024