Environmental ethics challenges in the case of Congo basin deforestation : a theological ethical perspective

Abstract

Environmental issues such as climate change, deforestation, loss of biodiversity are of concern worldwide. Several conflicts on environmental resources management are raised between governments, multinational companies and the local population. Particularly in developing countries, natural resources management is one of the crises where most experiment takes place. Lack of natural resources management can cause war and contribute to poverty. As is observed in the indigenous population of the Congo Basin. This research project aims to investigate the causes of deforestation in the Congo Basin and the environmental ethics challenges, when the researcher focuses on the policies related to the forest management in the region. A consideration of the ethical aspects is motivated by the fact that indigenous communities depend directly on the forests’ services and resources, and therefore are the most affected by the impact of deforestation. To establish an ethics on the participative approach on forest management could strengthen collaboration between local communities, multinational companies and government.