Ethical Reflection On Environmental Problems Caused By Thermal Power Generation In China

The power industries, which provide energy for the development of national economy, are the basic industries and the public enterprises of social development and people's life. Due to the coal-dominated energy structure, thermal power generation has dominated the electrical power structure in our country and this actuality will keep for a long time. However, the coal-fired thermal power has caused a series of environmental problems and threatened to the development of society and people's health. Therefore, it has strategic significance to research whether thermal power can solve the environmental problems and realize harmonious development with environment.On the base of surveying environmental problems and analyzing their reasons, combining with the theories of environmental responsibility and environmental justice, this paper intended to clarify the environmental responsibility which government, enterprises and public should undertake, and then puts forward some valuable measures to solve the environmental problems produced by thermal power generation in China. The thesis is made up of four parts:First, this thesis introduces the research background and significance, and points out that it has important practical and theoretical significance to speed up the consideration from an ethical angle to the environmental problems caused by thermal power generation.Next, this paper analyzes the thermal power status in China's electrical power structure, and describes the environmental problems in detail, including the acceleration of energy crisis, increased ecological damage, and aggravation of environmental pollution.With the full awareness of environmental issues, the third chapter analyzes the reasons of environmental problems, which mainly have the flowing points:misunderstanding, technology abusing, limits of the traditional development model and system structure, and the unfair distribution of resources and environmental responsibility. To solve these problems, we must deal with the relationship between human and nature, as well as the relationship between the people. In accordance with the theories of environmental responsibility and environmental justice, people should assume responsibility for nature, and to fulfill this kind of responsibility, we must establish a fair social system and a reasonable way of distribution foundation. Finally, this paper proposes that implement the strategy of sustainable development in China's thermal power generation is of great significance, and to achieve this, we must realize that government, enterprises and public should undertake reasonable environmental responsibility. Specifically, government must take the correct guidance responsibility, and thermal power enterprises should undertake the main responsibility for energy saving and emission reduction, and public need to practice the thrifty morals in daily life and consuming behaviors.