Abstract
Environmental degradation in Nigeria has become both an ecological and moral concern, especially in regions where extractive activities and weak governance structures intersect. The Niger Delta continues to experience severe oil pollution, while other parts of the country face deforestation, urban waste accumulation, and increasing climate stress. These conditions reflect not only environmental mismanagement but also deeper ethical failures in responsibility toward both present and future generations. Hans Jonas’ principle of responsibility offers a philosophical framework for interpreting these challenges, particularly through its emphasis on precaution, intergenerational justice, and moral obligation in the face of technological power.
This study examined the moral foundations of environmental responsibility in Hans Jonas’ philosophy and its relevance to Nigeria’s environmental realities. Its specific objectives were to conceptualize environmental responsibility and its ethical dimensions; analyze Jonas’ principle of responsibility; examine environmental degradation in Nigeria; evaluate the relevance of Jonas’ ethics to Nigerian environmental policy and governance; and propose a contextual ethical framework for environmental responsibility.
The study adopted a qualitative research design, relying on critical textual analysis of Hans Jonas’ works and related environmental ethics literature, alongside interpretive engagement with Nigerian environmental reports and scholarly publications. The analysis was guided by Environmental Ethics Theory, particularly Jonasian responsibility ethics. Findings revealed that Nigeria’s environmental crisis is sustained by weak regulatory enforcement, corporate negligence, and limited ecological awareness, while Jonas’ framework provides a strong normative basis for rethinking environmental accountability. However, its application requires contextual adaptation to Nigeria’s socio-political and economic realities. The study concluded that environmental responsibility in Nigeria must integrate ethical foresight, governance reform, and community participation to achieve sustainable ecological protection.
Keywords: Environmental Responsibility, Hans Jonas, Intergenerational Justice, Environmental Ethics.
Authors:
Fidelis Fanen Nyamive
Department of Philosophy
Rev.Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi
Nyamvefidelis82@gmail.com
+2347065007017
Benedict Michael Shamijah
Department of Philosophy
Rev.Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi
bmichael@bsum.edu.ng, benmike3@gmail.com
+2348036588177, 2349033066905