A Hitman’s Approach to Ethics: Temptations and Challenges and Topic Overview - Ethical Engineering for International Development and Environmental Sustainability - page 8

Section 2 discusses what we mean by outer space by tackling the question -
where does outer space begin? This is followed by a description of the various forms
of human activity in the region (exploration, commercial and military) along with
estimates of their cost in Sect. 3 . The various problems arising from the military use
of space and the current projects that threaten space security are outlined. Section

4
emphasises the need to be aware of and care for the space environment, and this
leads into a discussion of the problems of an unregulated use of space in terms of a
tragedy of the commons in Sect. 5 . Section 6 then looks at the ethical situation
regarding a just and benefi cial use of the space environment, and the existing inter-
national treaties and agreements are outlined along with the adopted procedural
mechanisms. Finally, Sect. 7 concludes with some suggestions for future progress.

6 Part III: Ethical Engineering and Sustainable Development

Part III comprises three chapters on green jobs and energy, climate change and envi-
ronmentally friendly bathing. Chapter 5 on 'Green Jobs and the Ethics of Energy'
by David Elliott, England, affi rms the irrefutable environmental case for switching
to nonfossil energy, buttressed by the clearly unsustainable nature of our existing
energy system, with climate change being the most obvious and pressing issue. This
chapter looks at the social case for the transition and, in particular, at the claim that
this switch could lead to more and better employment - good jobs in a green society.
To set the scene, it fi rst examines the record of the existing range of energy tech-
nologies in terms of their social and environmental impacts and their limited avail-
able resources, and then at the emergence of new renewable energy technological
options that avoid or limit these impacts and constraints. The employment implica-
tions of these new options are then explored, as are trade union responses to the
opportunities they offer and the challenges of a switch over to sustainable energy.
There will be jobs lost by the move away from reliance on the existing energy
sources and a need for retraining. While there may be a net increase in employment,
it is argued that what is perhaps more relevant is the type and duration of the new
jobs. The chapter explores the emerging trade union view that what is needed is a
'just transition' to properly paid, sustainable employment with good conditions. It is
argued that, although there is a need to change the way energy is produced and used
and this change will create new jobs, we do not want jobs at any cost.
Chapter 6 on 'Disparagement of Climate Change Research: A Double Wrong' by
Wiebina Heesterman, England, stresses the critical role of the engineering profession
in the fi ght against climate change. This goes much further than risk management and
the repair of structures damaged by extreme weather events such as persistent fl ood-
ing. A crucial task is the development of a robust infrastructure capable of withstanding
further weather onslaughts. New ways of working will be necessary to create resilient
structures and services aimed at a low-carbon economy and the adaptation and mitiga-
tion of climate change. This also needs to be refl ected in the professional education of
future engineers. An understanding of the activities of the forces committed to dismissal