Dilemma of mining: economic development and ecological risks

Abstract

This study aims to look at the anthropocentric and ecocentric ethical debate in viewing environmental degradation that occurs. Sustainable development is expected to be a solution to environmental degradation and human interests, but ongoing development does not have a significant improvement in environmental conditions. Based on the results of research conducted on communities around the South Sulawesi mine, the conception of development to meet human needs is then faced with the reality of natural damage that has the potential to threaten the sustainability of human life. Therefore, ecocentric ethics arises with the offer of equilibrium development or zero growth because, growth and distribution of human population will certainly have an impact on the environment, so environmental degradation can only be resolved through this concept but at the same time it will bring consequences to the meaning of the sustainability of development itself which still needs growth as an important thing in meeting the increasing human needs.