The Precautionary Principle states that when there is a threat of serious or irreversible damage to the environment, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent or minimize the damage.

Environmental ethics encompasses a wide range of concerns related to the rights and interests of future generations, including access to natural resources, a healthy environment, and cultural and historical heritage.

Social Contract Theory posits that individuals have a right to a healthy environment because they are part of a social contract with past and future generations, which obligates each generation to act in a way that does not harm the interests of others.

Intergenerational equity is the principle that the present generation has a moral obligation to ensure that the actions taken today do not harm the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The Principle of Sustainability states that decisions should be made in a way that ensures that the needs of the present generation are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The tragedy of the commons is a situation in which individuals acting independently and rationally according to their own self-interest will ultimately deplete a shared resource, even when it is in their collective interest to conserve it.

Potential Personhood Theory argues that future generations have a right to a healthy environment because they are potential persons who deserve moral consideration, even though they do not yet exist.

Sustainable development is a concept that encompasses economic development, environmental protection, and social justice, with the goal of meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The Principle of Autonomy states that individuals have the right to make their own decisions about their lives and actions, including decisions about the environment.

Environmental stewardship is the idea that humans have a moral responsibility to protect and preserve the environment for the benefit of present and future generations.

Biocentrism is an ethical theory that argues that all living beings have inherent value and deserve moral consideration, regardless of their usefulness to humans.

Intragenerational equity is the idea that all people within the present generation have an equal right to the benefits of the environment, regardless of their race, gender, socioeconomic status, or other factors.

The Principle of Respect for Nature states that the environment has inherent value and should be respected and protected, regardless of its usefulness to humans.

Environmental justice is the idea that all people, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or other factors, have an equal right to a healthy environment.

Ecocentrism is an ethical theory that argues that the environment has inherent value and should be protected for its own sake, regardless of its usefulness to humans.