Ecologia integral como fundamento para o direito universal ao meio ambiente e ecologicamente equilibrado

Abstract

This present work aims to study the ethical ground for the universal right to an ecologically balanced environment, by means of investigating the human root of the current global crisis such as the “excessive anthropocentrism” originated from practical relativism. Considered as a socio-environmental crisis characterized by environmental, social and moral issues, the possibility of a universal environmental ethics based on the natural law, the so-called golden rule, present in various traditions that states you should not do to your neighbour as you would not want done to you. In addition, this study looks into the universal right to the environment, from the ecological perspective, as well as to its theoretical contributions, legal forecast and to the necessity of an ethical foundation to it. As a basis for such universal right it is proposed an” integral ecology” as presented in the Encyclical Laudato Si by Pope Francis on care for our common home, which includes the environmental, social, economic, and cultural ecology of daily life. Integral ecology originates from a universal environmental ethics that calls each and every one and every community to a solidary responsibility in relation to nature and to the human being himself,as an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded and at the same time providing care to our planetary common home. It is adopted the hypothectical-deductive methodology, using bibliographic and documentary techniques. In conclusion, integral ecology as a basis for the universal right to an ecologically balanced environment can effectively contribute to overcoming the socio-environmental crisis and to the preservation of human life itself.