Here’s an ethical issue and Jewish source response:
Case
After ecologists showed that cutting down the old growth forests in the northwest United States is harmful to the area’s ecology, a movement has developed to force the wood companies to stop cutting these trees. However, this would result in the loss of hundreds of jobs and affect thousands of people.
Answer
Should trees be preserved for ecological reasons if it means the loss of hundreds of jobs? Consider the following:
[a] Judaism places a high value upon ecological concerns. Even before the term ecology was invented, Judaism reflected an environmental consciousness. In the Torah, when Adam is first commanded regarding his relationship with the earth, he is told to “work it and to preserve it” (Genesis 2:15). Additionally, the Torah prohibits planting or building within 1000 cubits of the city limits (Numbers 35:2), and Rashi explains (based on Bava Metzia 24b) that the reason for this ordinance is to maintain the physical beauty of the city. The Mishnah (Bava Batra 2:8) discusses and forbids air pollution, and the Shulchan Aruch (Chosen Mishpat 412:5) forbids certain types of water pollution.
[b] While permitting the Israelites to cut down trees (Deuteronomy 20:19-20), God commands that one may not cut down a fruit tree merely for its wood. If one did cut down a fruit tree, it would fall in the list of transgressions that have to do with being a baal tashchit, someone who destroys and creates needless destruction in the world. (Maimonides, Hilchot Melachim 6:8). If however, it is necessary and serves a purpose, then “the earth’s destruction” is permitted in Judaism. So, for example, Maimonides rules that one may cut down a fruit tree that is doing damage to other trees (and of course use it for wood or paper).
[c] One issue related to our above case involves the damage that cutting down such trees can do to the planet. If it could be shown that cutting down trees poses a direct danger to human existence on earth, then this concern would supercede all others, and it would be forbidden to cut down the trees (Deuteronomy 4:9-15).
[d] Regarding the specific question about the trees versus the negative effects on workers, the main issue is whether maintaining jobs is considered a legitimate human need. Although not referring to our circumstances directly, the Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 155:220 rules that even when trees should not be cut down, the workers are entitled to monetary compensation if they are deprived from work as a result, because they were legitimately working before the ecological problem was detected or discovered. This seems to imply that when ecology prevents the logging of certain woodlands, the workers are entitled to compensation for the loss of their jobs.
[e] Jewish sensitivity to long-range environmental problems is spelled out in a midrash (Kohelet Rabbah 7:20). The midrash says that at the beginning of Creation, God put Adam in the garden and showed him all the vegetables and animals that were created. He asked Adam to note how beautiful and good they are, and how they were all put on earth for people. But then God warned Adam, telling him to be careful not to damage these creations, because this could ultimately cause the world to be destroyed. Once it is destroyed, says God, the damage is irreparable.
Joel Grishaver, “You Be the Judge 2”, pgs. 68-70
Used with permission from Joel Grishaver
