Environmental ethics is a branch of philosophy that studies the moral relationship between human beings and the environment, as well as the value and moral status of the environment and its non-human contents. Its history is relatively recent, emerging prominently in the latter half of the 20th century, but it draws on a long tradition of thought concerning humanity’s place in the natural world.

The roots of environmental ethics can be traced back to ancient philosophies and religions that emphasized harmony with nature. Indigenous cultures worldwide have long held beliefs that respect and revere the natural environment. However, the formal emergence of environmental ethics as a distinct field began in the 1960s and 1970s, spurred by growing environmental awareness and crises such as pollution, species extinction, and resource depletion.

Key figures in the development of environmental ethics include Aldo Leopold, whose 1949 book A Sand County Almanac introduced the concept of a “land ethic,” proposing that humans should see themselves as part of a community that includes soils, waters, plants, and animals. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1962) highlighted the environmental and health impacts of pesticides, raising public awareness and concern for the interconnectedness of all life.

The 1970s saw the establishment of environmental ethics as an academic field. Philosophers like Arne Naess introduced “deep ecology,” advocating for the intrinsic value of all living beings regardless of their utility to human needs. Other movements such as ecofeminism emerged, linking the exploitation of the environment with the oppression of women, and promoting a more holistic and relational approach to ethics.

Contemporary environmental ethics grapples with complex issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental justice. It challenges traditional anthropocentric (human-centered) ethical frameworks, proposing instead biocentric or ecocentric perspectives that assign moral value to non-human life and ecosystems. The field continues to evolve, emphasizing sustainability, conservation, and the ethical implications of technology and policy on the environment.