Final answer:
Justice is the virtue designed to protect the rights of humans and the environment, supporting the development of environmental ethics that emphasize moral obligations for conservation and sustainable practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The virtue that is designed to protect the rights of all creation, human and nonhuman, is justice. The concept of justice extends beyond human interests and considers the well-being of the natural world, as advocated by both religious traditions and philosophical arguments.
The environmental ethics developed from this virtue recognize that humans have moral obligations to preserve and protect the environment. These obligations come from a combination of self-interest, rational thought, and a recognition of the intrinsic value of the natural world.
As we look to address controversies in conservation, a global environmental ethic is necessary, one that encompasses duties to non-human entities. The need to establish moral obligations for environmental care arises not only from a desire to protect nature but also to ensure the health and well-being of humans, who rely on natural systems for survival.