A sustentabilidade : uma perspectiva ética a partir de Leonardo Boff

Abstract

The Sustainability is a central concept in environmental ethics, what is the sustainability? And how to become it effective? How to join development, growth, and natural resources preservation? These are the most common questions nowadays, and anguish at the same time. The use of the term sustainability is used in a contradictory context, even for a preservationist conscience and for speculative commercial interests. Statements according to the Environmental or Anthropocentric Ethics, what are behind these values to take decisions? long term values, associated with the biological importance, for example, the preserved forest, both for this and for the future generation. On the other hand, the values, such as job increasement, profits, exports, and improvement in general, for those who agree with this devastated forest. What to do regarding to these subjective values? Leonardo Boff in his book “Sustentabilidade, O que é – O que não é” considers that the great purpose consists in creating a sustainable way of life. The conception of sustainability must cover all territories of reality, including people themselves, culture, industry, cities and especially the Planet Earth with its ecosystems. Sustainability is a way of living and being, that requires join human practices and the limited potential of each biome, and the needs of the present and future generations.