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Why environmental scientists need ethics training more than ever before

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Image credit: Shutterstock/NayaDadara.

This article was originally published in PNAS journal by Kristy M. Ferraro and Ann C. Thresher.

A primary goal of environmentally focused higher education—whether in conservation, ecology, or engineering—is to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to address the pressing challenges of a changing planet. While many students graduate prepared for the technical aspect of these crises, evidence suggests that they are far less prepared for the ethical decisions they will face. Students and faculty are increasingly calling for formal ethics training in environmental science curricula. Yet, most environmental programs offer none. And where such courses exist, they are rarely required. To prepare students to develop just and sustainable solutions, we must train them not only as scientists and engineers, but also as ethicists.

Continue reading at PNAS.org

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