APPLIED ETHICS ASSIGNMENT 1

http://vietnamnews.vn/english-through-the-news/343186/capital-city-trees-to-
move.html#e7DpmkgYKIBPWm03.97

https://m.talkvietnam.com/2014/08/hanoi-cut-down-ancient-trees-for-urban-railway/

Two newspapers write about Ha Noi, which is the capital of Vietnam cuts down
ancient trees for urban railway. A number of beautiful old trees in the capital city will
be cut down or moved to another places to build railway. There are about 109 trees
which are relocated or cut down including 24 trees belong to Kim Ma street to make
the way for the construction of the Pilot urban railway number 3, the Nhn Ha Noi
Railway Station section. 106 are healthy trees planted within the land clearance
boundaries and those mahogany trees with diameters smaller than 40cm. The
urban railway No.3 - the section between Nhn and the Ha Noi Railway Station - is
about 12.5km long. The projects total cost is expected to be US$1.18 billion.
Construction began in September 2010 and is scheduled for completion in
November 2018. VNS.

Like other developing countries, Vietnam also faces to ethical dilemma between
developing country and protecting environment. The ethical dilemma is a situation
where two or more right values are in conflict. This is a true ethical dilemma
because two values are in conflict. Two right values that can create significant
conflict are developing country and protecting environment. The mahogany trees
are one of the special cultural features in Ha Noi capital. Moreover, those trees are
the citys green lung. It is undeniable that trees product fresh air and create shade
on hot days.

Building urban railway also is not wrong value because it contributes to develop
country. This railway will improve peoples living standard. People have the variety
of transportations, decrease the time for moving and especially reducing vehicle
exhaustion which is one of the terrible problems in Vietnam.

When this planning shows in the public, many local persons protest it. However, the
government declares that they will decrease the amount of trees cutting down and
only relocated these trees. Therefore, this planning will continue as expected.