The classic formal principle of justice is that equals should be treated equally unless there is a sufficient reason to treat anyone (or anything) unequally. It is clearly relevant in the field of ethics called Environmental Justice, but this principle cuts across many issues. Environmental justice is concerned with the inequitable access to environmental resources (clean food, air, and water) and the injustice of greater pollution that often characterize lower-income communities - not wealthy environs. The notion of justice underlies concern about animal welfare. On the basis of what values are other animals considered different from the human animal, and thus subject to consumption by humans? Recent advances in biology have shown that the differences between humans and other animals are much less than many of us might think. Does the equality of humans and animals as living creatures require far more humane treatment of animals? Or even the total non-use of animals? To apply justice to an environmental decision, humans should ask:
1. Are all human beings involved in this situation being treated equally and, if not, why not?
2. Are all living creatures involved in this situation being treated equally and, if not, why not?
Sustainability extends justice into the future. Sustainability can be defined as meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Humans are consuming or degrading many resources (such as fossil fuel energy, topsoil, and water) today faster than they can be naturally replenished, which means they will not be available to people in the future. The ethical principle of justice is at play because it underpins the need to equitably balance the needs of those alive today (the rich and poor) with future generations. Thus, environmental ethics takes the notion of fundamental fairness and stretches it to include those yet to be born. To apply the principle of sustainability to an environmental decision, humans should ask:
1. What are the immediate and long-term effects of the problem before us?
2. Who - humans and otherwise - is affected today by the problem before us and who will likely be affected by this problem in the future?