Contemporary Social Issues
PHI FPX 2000 Assessment 4: Contemporary Social Issues The use of plastic bags is one of the most concerning contemporary social issues as it creates pollution harmful to humans and animals. Wildlife is more vulnerable to pollution which is a great issue for the government and organizations. Due to the detrimental environmental impacts of plastic waste, the government is banning the use of single plastic bags. This waste can pollute oceans and create harmful gases for ocean life which will ultimately lead to the distinction of the species (Williams & Buitrago, 2022). Analyzing the contemporary issue and identifying the research findings from different disciplines will help in evaluating the severity of the problem and significant solutions to resolve the issue for the betterment of the global world. Analyzing the impact of this social issue on the primary stakeholders and determining its impact on ethics will help in the better implementation of the solution.
Analyzing Contemporary Social Issues Associated with Multiple Viewpoints
The ban on plastic bags is a contemporary social issue as it has negative impacts on the environment, creating economic and social issues. Plastic bags are a source of pollution that is ultimately affecting the world including humans and wildlife. This negative impact of the plastic bag waste crisis leads to the distinction of the specific species that are harmful to nature. However, there are conflicting viewpoints on the ban on plastic bags which creates conflicting perspectives leading to difficulty in the final solution (Pilapitiya & Ratnayake, 2024). The proponents of the ban on plastic bags focus on the reduction of the environmental pollution occurring due to plastic waste and saving marine and land wildlife from the harmful impacts of plastic bags. They focused on promoting alternative healthier approaches for the replacement of harmful plastic bags that are sustainable and reusable for the long term. The opponents propose that banning plastic bags could create problems for consumers, especially in areas where the consumption of other resources is costly or unavailable. They also highlight the impact on small businesses that are unable to provide alternative options due to high-cost issues. They also argue that even alternatives like paper bags have negative impacts on the environment such as an increased rate of carbon footprints during the process of production. The issue creates conflict between balancing environmental wellness and considering the economic impact on the world.
Analyzing the Primary Interest of Stakeholders
The key stakeholders in the identified contemporary social issue are environmental organizations, small businesses, and consumers. The primary interest of environmental organizations is to decrease plastic production to prevent an increase in plastic waste leading to harmful impacts on the land and marine wildlife (Kibria et al., 2023). They argue that the ban on plastic bags can increase the sustainability of the alternatives and improve the environment’s health. According to them, the protection of the environment for the betterment of the health of wildlife and the increase in the use of effective alternatives like paper bags need to be implemented.
The primary interest of small businesses is to minimize the financial impacts on their production thus providing them with affordable means of generating plastic or its alternative. It is costly and ineffective for some small businesses to provide reusable bags as it will create a financial burden on them (Coelho et al., 2020). They argue that alternatives can negatively impact their cost and profit ratio thus leading to financial loss and an increase in expenses. This is the reason for real stress for the small business honors as it can create financial problems for them and even lead to the closure of their business stores creating a negative economic impact on the country or the world overall. The primary interest of the consumers is the validation of affordable alternatives and assurance of easy-to-access paper bags for a better satisfaction level. They argue that a ban can create a burden on them for buying the alternatives which in some cases may not be convenient or effective enough. The analysis provides conflicting perspectives of all the stakeholders which needs to be tackled effectively for the betterment of the responses.
Analysing Research Findings From Different Academic Disciplines
The analysis of the research findings is helpful in the identification of a better solution that will be beneficial for all and reduces the rate of disappointment regarding the implemented solution. It has been identified from environmental science research that plastic bags are harmful to ocean life thus destroying the ecosystem and also harming the land and marine life (Abiola et al., 2023). According to the study, the ban will be effective in reducing plastic waste and increasing environmental health and wellness both for humans and animals. They support the idea of banning plastic bags for the sustainability and long-term healthy impact on the ecosystem or the environment.
It has been identified from economic research that implementing alternatives for plastic bags like paper or cloth bags will be costly for small businesses thus creating financial issues for them. It may lead to financial losses and economic disadvantages for the areas having lower income and unable to afford costly bags (Dikgang et al., 2022). Their perspective is against the ban on the plastic bags due to financial constraints or affordability and availability for the consumer. The findings from the sociological research show that the ban on plastic bags can create inconvenience for consumers initially but looking at the long-term results and outcomes of the implementation of paper or cloth bags shows that it can lead to positive changes in the environment and can increase the use of sustainable reusable bags. They support the ban on plastic bags due to the sustainability and increase in environmental awareness among the people.
Analyzing Contemporary Social Issues Using Theory of Normative Ethics
The analysis of the ban on plastic bags from the viewpoint of utilitarianism shows that the ban on plastic bags is for the greater wellness of the society or the world as a reduction in pollution will lead to a better environment thus ensuring wellness at a large scale. According to this theory, the long-term ecological benefits of the ban on plastic bags are more important than the impact on the consumers or the small businesses (Muposhi et al., 2021). It supports the idea of the well being of a larger population thus preventing wildlife from harm and reducing the degradation of the environment. The deontological theory focuses on the duty of the government and the individuals regarding the ban on plastic bags. According to this theory, the ban should be implemented by considering the health of the environment as the social duty of people and the organizations. This theory supports the idea that no matter if banning plastic bags can create problems for consumers or small businesses, consideration of the health of the whole world is the priority.
According to the theory of virtue ethics the protection of the environment and ensuring the sustainability of the increase the development of virtue of benefiting the environment in the individuals. It will create a sense of responsibility and value for nature which is effective for the overall world (Macintosh et al., 2020). They support the idea that banning plastic bags increases the virtuous behavior in the individual necessary for the prevention of the future and health of the environment. According to my perspective, I am supporting the ban on plastic bags by following the theory of utilitarianism. The ban might create inconvenience for people but it will also ensure the long-term benefits for the ecological system. The health and wealth of the whole world is the priority as compared to the small inconvenience faced by the consumers and the small business for a short period. The huge effect on the environment and the marine and land wildlife outweighs the inconveniences of any kind thus ensuring the greater good.
Conclusion
The identification of the contemporary social issue to identify the solution through the implementation of findings from the research and the normative theories of ethics helps in the generation of sustainable outcomes. The ban on plastic bags is necessary to protect the environment and wildlife from degradation (Li et al., 2022). It has been observed from the research that banning plastic bags will be effective for the long-term benefits of the ecological system. The theory of normative ethics also focused on the greater good ignoring the temporary inconvenience that might be faced by consumers and small businesses. According to utilitarianism the protection of the environment for sustainability is a priority as compared to short-term small inconveniences.
References
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