Ethical Issues In The Great Lakes

The environment of which one may consider as nature, their surroundings, or habitat, is critical to maintain in order for its components and future generations to meet their needs. In many cases, the environment can be argued as a scientific object as it is oftentimes observed based on the principles of the natural sciences. Therefore, the environment has scientific implications that affects its’ components, which further validates that it is a scientific object. The Great Lakes is an exquisite body of water located in the upper midwest of the United States. It is the home of many wildlife and important to nearby communities. In 1953, two exposed oil pipelines, “Line 5”, owned by Canadian company Enbridge, Inc., was installed at the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac. The biodiversity existent in the Great Lakes and its’ nearby communities are at great risk due to constant oil spills.

The Great Lakes, as an environment for many, is a scientific object as it is observed based on scientific principles, especially by those who are advocating against the pipelines. The simple scientific notion that oil and water does not mix urges activism which indicates that there is an ethical framework. The scientific empirical evidence that oil spills are dangerous and a threat to

According to Lisa Sideris, “scientific reality gives us clear guidance on moral issues”. Thus, if knowledge is unified, it is significantly easier to achieve progress and move closer to sustainability. In contrary, science may also not be an effective narrative in regards to this issue because there is a belief that the “efficacy of scientific progress actually decreases environmentally friendly behavior” (Sideres). Therefore, if many believe in the power of science, the population might solely depend on nature, through science, to solve itself, thus, neglecting activism and