A major ethical dilemma in modern business stems from the growth of environmentalism and the "green" lifestyle. Businesses argue that totally converting to new methods would be expensive, cut into profits, decrease production and likely result in unemployment for many of their workers. Do businesses have an obligation to be conscious of the environment even if it hurts their bottom line?

Question

Allen Liu

Business

20 March, 00:26

A major ethical dilemma in modern business stems from the growth of environmentalism and the "green" lifestyle. Businesses argue that totally converting to new methods would be expensive, cut into profits, decrease production and likely result in unemployment for many of their workers. Do businesses have an obligation to be conscious of the environment even if it hurts their bottom line?

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Answers (1)

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Shane Robinson · Answer 1

Businesses have a moral obligation that must be politically enforced.

Explanation:

Businesses working from profits often use indiscriminate measures to garner profits for themselves while using their capital as economically as they can.

This includes the exploitation of workers. To counter this, we have trade unions.

Similar is the situation for conservation. Environmental issues indirectly affect the whole population of the country and every company has a part in it. Hence environmentally secure sanctions need to be put in place even if it eats into the company's profits.