Question 1

Stuart Hart asserts that the current sustainability market has largely focused on large scale efforts and technology with hopes of trickle down effects that have been ineffective.

Accepted Answer

Stuart Hart argues that the current sustainability market has primarily concentrated on large-scale solutions and technology in the hopes of generating trickle-down results, which he believes have not been effective.

Question 2

Norman Bowie argues that business has what sort of obligation to consumers
A)To help educate them about environmentally responsible behavior.
B)To provide products that are as green/sustainable as possible.
C)Both a & b
D)Neither a nor b

Accepted Answer

A

Question 3

: According to Denis Arnold and Keith Bustos, the consensus of scientific work on global climate change is that we have yet to accumulate sufficient evidence to suggest it is a real phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. The consensus of scientific work on global climate change is that it is a real phenomenon and largely driven by human activities (such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation) that emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, leading to an increase in global temperatures and other climate disruptions.

Question 4

The case study "Maintaining a Seat at the Table: The Shell Group" explains in detail why Shell rejects the idea that anthropogenic climate change is real.

Accepted Answer

The case study "Maintaining a Seat at the Table: The Shell Group" does not state that Shell rejects the idea that anthropogenic climate change is real. In fact, the case study highlights Shell's acknowledgement of the issue and their efforts to address it, while also balancing their responsibilities to their shareholders and the need for energy production.

Question 5

Norman Bowie suggests businesses simply have which moral obligations
A)To force consumer preferences toward green behavior
B)To obey the law, to avoid negligent behavior, and to tell the truth
C)To tell the truth and to obey special sustainability obligations
D)To obey the law and to force consumers toward green behavior

Accepted Answer

According to Norman Bowie, businesses have a moral obligation to obey the law, avoid negligent behavior, and tell the truth. This is the minimum level of responsibility that all businesses should have towards society. While sustainability is an important issue, it is not the only obligation that businesses have. Additionally, forcing consumer preferences towards green behavior would not necessarily be considered a moral obligation but rather a strategic decision.

Question 6

Denis Arnold and Keith Bustos, in "Business Ethics and Global Climate Change", suggest the U.S. adopt which of the following public policy recommendations
A)Target goals for reduced emissions in the transportation and energy sectors corresponding to past emissions
B)Appropriate tax incentives for CO2 emissions reductions and penalties for failing to meet CO2 targets.
C)Both a and b
D)Neither a nor b

Accepted Answer

Both options of setting target goals and providing tax incentives/penalties are recommended by the authors as effective public policy measures for reducing CO2 emissions and combating global climate change. By setting clear targets and imposing consequences for failing to meet them, the U.S. can incentivize businesses to adopt more sustainable practices while also providing support for those who make strides in reducing their carbon footprint.

Question 7

The case, "Royal Caribbean: Exotic Promises and Toxic Waters" implies that a main difficulty in enforcing environmental standards with cruise lines is that they are often not American and thus not subject to our laws.

Accepted Answer

The case highlights the challenge of enforcing environmental standards on cruise lines that are often registered in countries other than the United States, which allows them to operate under more lenient regulations and oversight, making it difficult to hold them accountable to U.S. environmental laws.

Question 8

Hawken, Lovins, and Lovins would suggest that today's capitalist is typified by which of the following beliefs
A)Growth in natural resources will maximize human well-being above and beyond GDP
B)Resource shortages will be met with substitutes in the market
C)Sustainability concerns are irrelevant since economic growth is the primary concern
D)None of the above

Accepted Answer

Hawken, Lovins, and Lovins argue that today's capitalist believes in the concept of substitution, which means that resource shortages will be met with substitutes in the market. This belief is supported by the market mechanism of supply and demand, where scarcity drives up prices, prompting innovation and substitution to meet the demand. This mindset promotes economic growth while minimizing resource waste, making it more sustainable in the long run.

Question 9

Norman Bowie argues that special obligations of business are unnecessary and that environmentalists need simply insist that businesses follow the laws.

Accepted Answer

Norman Bowie suggests that businesses should adhere to existing laws and regulations, implying that additional special obligations for environmental protection are not needed beyond legal compliance.

Question 10

U.S. consumers make use of a disproportionate level of atmospheric resources, so the harm caused to non-U.S. citizens will be disproportionate to their use of atmospheric resources.

Accepted Answer

This is because the United States is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases and has historically contributed significantly to global warming. Therefore, the impact of climate change and its consequences, such as sea-level rise and extreme weather events, will disproportionately affect non-U.S. citizens who have not contributed as much to the problem.

Question 11

Denis Arnold and Keith Bustos would compare the tobacco industry to global climate change skeptics as part of a similar "industry of denial".

Accepted Answer

Denis Arnold and Keith Bustos argue that both the tobacco industry and global climate change skeptics are part of a larger "industry of denial" that seeks to reject scientific evidence and sow doubt in the public about the harmful effects of their respective products.

Question 12

The first step in the "Green Leap" as described by Stuart Hart is which of the following
A)Increasee regulation and incentives for business to invest in "Green Sprout" technology
B)Enhance industrial efforts in developing countries to increase employment, creating a new consumer base
C)Incubate sustainable technology at the BoP
D)Migrate sustainable technologies to the affluent consumers

Accepted Answer

According to Stuart Hart, the first step in the "Green Leap" is to incubate sustainable technology at the BoP (bottom of the pyramid) or in other words, developing and testing environmentally friendly technologies that are suitable and affordable for people living in poverty. This can help promote sustainable development and reduce environmental degradation while also providing economic opportunities for those in need. Options A, B, and D may be part of the broader strategy, but they do not represent the primary initial step.

Question 13

In "Morality, Money, and Motor Cars", Norman Bowie suggests that businesses don't go the extra mile for green and/or sustainable products because consumers often reject green products as too expensive or too much trouble.

Accepted Answer

Norman Bowie argues that businesses are reluctant to prioritize green and sustainable products because they believe consumers are unwilling to pay higher prices or go out of their way to purchase eco-friendly options. Thus, they may not see the financial incentive to go the extra mile for sustainability if it is not seen as profitable.

Question 14

According to Norman Bowie in "Money, Morality and Motor Cars," business has no special obligation to stop polluting above its natural limits.

Accepted Answer

Norman Bowie argues that businesses have a moral obligation to reduce pollution, but only to the extent that it is economically feasible. He believes that businesses should not be held to a higher standard than other members of society, and that they should not be forced to bear the entire cost of pollution reduction.

Question 15

Stuart Hart's Bottom of the Pyramid strategy (BoP)is a creative way to appeal to unprofitable businesses around the globe.

Accepted Answer

The Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP) strategy, as proposed by C.K. Prahalad and Stuart Hart, focuses on creating sustainable business models targeted at the poorest populations in the world, aiming to turn them into profitable consumer markets and entrepreneurial opportunities, rather than viewing them as unprofitable.

Question 16

According to Alan Holland an economic approach to sustainability criteria is to strive for each generation to leave at least as much capital to the next generation as it has created for itself.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Alan Holland an economic approach...

Question 17

According to Denis Arnold and Keith Bustos, Bowie's position in "Business, Ethics, and Global Climate Change," Bowie fails to take into account the interests of non-U.S. citizens and future generations.

Accepted Answer

Denis Arnold and Keith Bustos argue that Bowie's focus on the U.S. being the major polluter and the primary responsibility of U.S. businesses to address climate change fails to consider the impact on non-U.S. citizens and future generations.

Question 18

Hawken, Lovins, and Lovins describe today's capitalism to have emerged in a time when labor was scare and natural capital was abundant whereas today labor is abundant while natural capital is depleting.

Accepted Answer

Hawken, Lovins, and Lovins argue that capitalism emerged during a time when labor was scarce and natural capital was abundant, but today, the situation has changed, and labor is abundant while natural capital is depleting.

Question 19

According to Denis Arnold and Keith Bustos in "Business, Ethics, and Global Climate Change," a basic principle of justice is that it is unfair to require others to pay for the costs of benefits one has secured for oneself without their uncoerced consent.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately reflects a basic principle of justice as described by Arnold and Bustos.

Question 20

Arnold and Bustos highlight that much of the skepticism of climate change comes from business interests. As shown in the case study, "Ethics and sustainability at Alcoa: A Symbiotic Relationship", Alcoa is a company that does not work to fight climate change regulation and instead seeks to enforce and enact it.

Accepted Answer

The statement correctly reflects the case study presented, where Alcoa is portrayed as a company that prioritizes environmental sustainability and takes steps to reduce its carbon footprint, including supporting regulations aimed at mitigating climate change. The authors also argue that some opposition to climate change measures may originate from business interests that prioritize short-term profits over long-term sustainability.

Quiz 8: Ethical Issues Regarding the Natural Environment