The two major perspectives of the environmental philosophical value system: Technocentrism and Ecocentrism – provoke a growing tension between economic growth and environmental sustainability. Especially when it comes to solving issues, such as the BP oil spill, which was one of the largest oil leaks in history – we are left searching for a solution that defies the aim of either one of these perspectives, making it difficult to agree when both sides have such opposing views.

^{Image of the BP oil spill revisited}

To summarise, a Technocentric view provides emphasis on our reliability towards technology to solve all the problems we create, believing that the human species comes before anything else and that the earth will always be able to support our needs. Therefore, they also focus strongly on economic growth and building our society. On the other hand, an Ecocentric view philosophizes the fact that the earth is here for all species, and that resources are limited. Therefore, we must work with the earth and all its organisms rather than against it or for our own selfish benefit, and work towards environmental sustainability.

One example of how these views oppose, as mentioned above, was the BP oil spill. This spill released 4.9 million barrels of oil into (and destroying) the deepwater drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. This had many detrimental effects on both the economy and the environment.

Environmental Effects:

• Plants and animals were completely covered in the oil. Seabirds, sea turtles an, dolphins have been found dead.
• Oil that entered wetland areas meant recovery would be slow.
• Fish stocks were harmed and productivity was decreased.

^{A sea turtle covered in oil due to the spill and destruction of its home}

Economic Effects:

• The government asked for $20 billion in damages from BP and BPs share price fell.
• Local industries, such as fishing, was threatened. There was a ban on fishing in the water.
• The decline of tourism.

(effects mentioned on BBC bitesize)

Due to all of these impacts, it is easy to see howthe two very different environmental perspectives may find issueswith this. Technocentrismis likely toputemphasis onfinding solutionstostop the harmful effects towards the economy, where eco-centric mindsmayfocus on the environmentalimpact.

Therefore, for example, businesses such as BP itself (whom is held responsible for this oil spill) has a larger interest in earning money and building a positive brand image as to draw consumers. This is a Technocentric view and therefore this impacts the way in which they take action – which will focus on the economyand humans.

One perspective example of technocentrism was many people in the scientific field who proposed multiple solutions with the use of high-tech in order to contain this deep water disaster. They also spent time studying why many of the valves and “blowout preventer” failed – which are responsiblefor avoiding leakage and holding the oil in place within the tubes. The failure of all of these is what resulted in this catastrophe. Therefore, scientists aim to pinpoint just how these went wrong in order to upgrade the present technology and avoid further implications of this.

Adversely, someone like president Obama took a very eco-centric approach to the cleanup of this issue. He highly scrutinized the issue and spoke out about creating a responsible effort and compensate affected residents. He also announced that his administration would create a $20 billion dollar spill response fund. Additionally, NGO’s such as Greenpeace, whom is fighting the major oil drilling companies in order to halt the grant of their deepwater licenses. They have attempted to carry out an appropriate assessment of the risks that drilling poses as to avoid future impacts on the ecosystem, and have highlighted and spoken out specifically that “The BP spill was a game-changer, highlighting the very real risks of dangerous deep sea drilling for both important wildlife and the economy.” (telegraph).

Other examples of those with eco-centric views include The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) who aim to submit a legal defence, as well as The Health and Saftey Executive who warned BP of their lack of Saftey checks. They also aim to enforce inspections by regulators in Britain’s 30 North Sea oil platforms as to make sure they are in a good physical condition. Meaning not in any way harmful to the environment or bodies within it.

Between both of these, we can see that the focus of both perspectives is quite different. The problem being that as much as eco-centric view holders whom aim to create a sustainable world and not hurt the environment try to reduce the oil drilling or stop is as a whole, the desire for economic growth, money and human benefit by those with Technocentric views make it difficult. With one side wanting to leave the earth alone and let it thrive, and one side wants to use it to their advantage by taking resources and putting our needs above any other (almost as if this justifies our actions) – it can be very difficult to end up with a solution that benefits both. This causes many issues as it comes to finding solutions and looking towards the future.

Neither side is technically correct nor wrong, as it is up to the environmental values of the individual to decide for themselves. And of course, there are working solutions that may come out of both categories. Although, no matter what, I believe we are responsible for the problems we create and therefore it is our duty one way or another to find solutions for this before it is too late.

 

^Sources:

^{https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-science-stopped-bp-gulf-of-mexico-oil-spill/}

^{http://www.asbmb.org/asbmbtoday/asbmbtoday_article.aspx?id=8816}

^{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_Horizon_oil_spill#Reactions}

^{http://www.mrgscience.com/ess-topic-11-environmental-value-systems.html}

^{http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/8346145/BP-Gulf-of-Mexico-spill-Greenpeace-can-bring-case-against-UK-deepwater-oil-drilling.html}

^{http://abcnews.go.com/WN/president-obama-angry-frustrated-gulf-mexico-oil-spill/story?id=10646470}

^{https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-science-stopped-bp-gulf-of-mexico-oil-spill/}

^{https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-bp-oil-spill}

Image:

Oil Spill Response Is a Joke