The sustainable development goals and Aldo Leopold’s land ethic: A philosophical analysis of ecological sustainability, human well-being, and environmental ethics

Abstract

Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic is one of the seminal works in environmental ethics because he brought the consideration of ethics from human interests to the biotic community. The idea of ecological integrity, stability and beauty, however, suggests a philosophical question about the relationship between ecological responsibilities and human health, justice and democratic choice. This article looks at how the norms of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be applied to Leopold’s Land Ethic in a constructive way. The study collates Leopold’s original formulation, philosophical understandings of ecological holism, and sustainable development, human rights and environmental justice literature with the use of structured secondary-literature review and reported with reference to the PRISMA 2020 framework. The analysis in particular emphasizes SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The article suggests that the Land Ethic and SDGs can be engaged productively when ecological integrity becomes a state of human long-term flourishing, not an excuse to ignore social justice or human dignity. The SDG framework brings in practical elements such as poverty alleviation, equality, participation, institutional accountability and intergenerational responsibility that could reinforce the modern ethical understanding of Leopold’s ecological vision. The article ends by suggesting that a pluralist interpretation of the Land Ethic can be used to establish an integrated vision of ecological and social justice, where ecological conservation and human welfare are seen as interconnected with intergenerational responsibilities.