Ethics Carbon Tax Essay Example
Ethics Carbon Tax Essay Example

Ethics Carbon Tax Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (1093 words)
  • Published: September 30, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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Ethics is a belief system that governs proper behavior in society, encompassing adherence to universally recognized norms. However, the rise of the internet and our increasing reliance on information systems has heightened the potential for unethical use of technology and the collection of personal data.

The government's climate change policy revolves around implementing a "carbon tax" or pricing carbon, wherein polluters are required to pay for each ton of carbon released into the atmosphere. Initially set at $23, this cost will gradually increase until 2015. This approach is widely acknowledged as both effective and cost-efficient in reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change.

According to Emmanuel Kant (1724-1804), morality should be grounded in our duty towards others rather than being contingent upon the consequences of our actions. In this perspective, promoting happiness or achieving desirable outcomes holds no relevance to morality.

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Consequently, Kant rejects utilitarianism and other ethical theories focusing on consequences; instead emphasizing that fulfilling responsibilities may sometimes lead to unhappiness without always yielding favorable results.

Deontological theories are those that consider duty or obligation as the foundation for morality. Kant advocated for a system based on two fundamental principles: universality and impartiality. These principles ensure that all individuals are treated fairly because they will be subject to the same rules.Impartiality is crucial in preventing favoritism towards certain individuals or groups. According to the SMART 2020 Report, estimates suggest that IT contributes approximately 2% to 3% of global emissions, with projections indicating this figure will rise to around 6% by 2020. It is essential for the IT industry to play a significant role in the clean energy revolution and incorporate sustainable practices within companies. A good startin

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point would involve optimizing resources and committing to better utilization and distribution of hardware and software without disrupting processes but enhancing efficiency. Green IT offers strategic advantages and has the potential to develop new sustainable products that could transform businesses and industries in the future. Regardless of potential cost savings, implementing green IT measures should be considered an obligation for every company. The Australian Government's introduction of a carbon tax aims at benefiting the entire country rather than favoring specific industries like IT. Duty-based ethical theory emphasizes impartiality to ensure fairness among individuals or groups. Although different industries may be impacted differently by the carbon tax, it is deemed necessary for the overall benefit of the community. Despite concerns about increased energy costs resulting from the carbon tax, there are environmentally friendly practices available for the IT industry to reduce expenses.

  1. Responsible sourcing of materials, recycling equipment, purchasing energy-efficient devices, and putting devices into low power states during non-working hours are important practices to consider.
  2. Government regulations can incentivize companies to donate functional equipment to schools, libraries, and underdeveloped countries. Failure to recycle IT equipment may result in penalties.
  3. Creating government-funded recycling companies can generate revenue for research on alternative forms of energy.
  4. A software named Mismatching and Semiweekly has been developed to minimize energy waste by shutting off computers at night and allowing centralized control over machines the following morning. Implementing this software can lead to a significant decrease in annual energy costs.
  5. From a duty-based perspective, implementing this alternative helps mitigate the impact of the proposed carbon tax on excessive CO2 emissions. It is every individual's responsibility to contribute to sustainability for future generations.
  6. Implementing this software across industries

would lower energy costs and allow companies to operate without being burdened by the carbon tax. This reduces the risk of job losses or increased prices that could result in losing customers.

  • By actively participating in this initiative, we fulfill our duty to restore balance to a planet overwhelmed by excessive energy consumption and carbon emissions.
  • In addition to cost reduction, implementing carbon tax software in companies is also seen as a moral obligation to align with environmental harmony. One potential drawback is the reliability of the software's precision in daily shutdown and startup actions. The performance of the centralized command has an impact on the overall functioning of the network. However, there are no weaknesses associated with implementing carbon tax software in any company. Another vendor is currently developing a supercomputer that is expected to be the most energy-efficient globally and will be deployed in 2012. Energy-efficient supercomputers help save costs by reducing power consumption and cooling expenses while allowing for scalability. This fulfills our duty to protect the planet from a duty-based theory perspective, preventing both carbon taxes imposition and conserving energy and money. According to Kant's theory, there exists a universal and impartial duty to make this world greener. Investing in newer, more efficient computers such as supercomputers can significantly lower energy costs, avoiding additional expenses for carbon taxes. However, deploying these new supercomputers company-wide entails an initial investment. Three codes from the ACS code of ethics and standards of conduct relate specifically to this case study and Demonology theory: prioritizing community interests over personal or sectional interests takes precedence as the first priorityGiven the significant carbon dioxide emissions from the IT industry, it

    is crucial for this sector to take action and reduce their carbon footprint. This is not only morally right but also necessary according to the Demonology theory, which emphasizes the importance of honesty in representing skills, knowledge, services, and products. Upholding honesty may have consequences but it is a responsibility that IT professionals should prioritize.

    Moreover, IT professionals need to consider social implications and prioritize improving the quality of life for those affected by their work. The Demonology theory supports taking steps to prevent emotional effects caused by carbon dioxide emissions.

    From an individual perspective, companies will face financial burdens due to the carbon tax. Specifically for IT companies, this tax may even lead them to relocate offshore.

    In conclusion, as a collective group working on our assignment, we commendably engaged in discussions about different outcomes related to the carbon tax within the IT industry. We applied various theories, including Demonology theory, to analyze our given case study. These discussions greatly enhanced our understanding of these theories and how they can be advantageous in future endeavors.In this assignment, we examined four theories: consequences-based theory, duty-based theory, character-based theory, and rights-based theory. In the end, our conclusion was that devising plans to reduce carbon pollution is not solely the IT industry's responsibility but rather a collective obligation of everyone. It is imperative for each individual to contribute towards reducing pollution and securing a better future for future generations. Neglecting to take any action will have detrimental effects on the IT industry as it will lead to increased costs.

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