Deontological Ethical Analysis

Human beings have been clearing forest for many years in order to have land for farming and keeping livestock (nasa.gov). The need to feed the ever increasing population has in most cases necessitated clearing of forests to plant crops and produce food. However, this action has resulted in reduced forest cover especially tropical forests. Tropical forests are known to be home of various animal species. Therefore, when tropical forests cover decrease so will the population of animals that depend on the forests for food and shelter. Despite the fact that clearing of tropical forests increases land for farming so as to meet food demand for the growing population, the arguments of deontological ethical theory would disagree. According to deontological ethical theory, human beings are morally obligated to act according to certain set principles and rules regardless of the outcome of the
Clearing of forests for farmland will not only lead to extinction of animal species that depend on the forests for shelter but it would lead to increased carbon in the atmosphere that causes increased impacts of climate change. Climate change impacts affect not only the individual(s) that cleared forests for farmland but everyone in the world.
However, there are individuals who think that not clearing forest for farmland when there is not enough land for farming is not a moral act or duty since there are people who will starve. They argue that spearing forests for conservation while there are people who lack food is not human. Moreover, importing food while there is land that can be cleared for farming will be an expensive task for the government. Additionally, when enough food is produced for the people some of it can be exported to generate revenue for the government that can be channeled to other sectors of development like