How does environmental ethics help the environment?

Question

In a philosophical reasoning, why is it key to have environmental ethics?

Answer 1

Environmental ethics are meaningless.

That which affects the environment is a global issues. We have no control over what others do with the environment. If someone pollutes the water in the US, it can be felt in Canada and Mexico as well as where ever the water or air takes the contaminant.

Until we address poverty, people of the world will do whatever is necessary to survive and make money -- including damaging our environment.

Environmental ethics are also racist in their application -- but that is another issue. Telling a developing nation that they cannot do as we have done is a sure way to ensure that they don't achieve and remain at our mercy and in poverty.