1.1 Environmental Value Systems Flashcards
What is an EVS?
An EVS is a set of paradigms or patterns that shape how we approach such matters,
What are the “preservationists”?
Preservationists believed land had an intrinsic value, and therefore advocated for the preservation of land and it’s resources. (around the 19th century)
Examples of preservationists?
John Muir 1892 Sierra Club, one of the largest first-scale preservation organizations in the world
What are the “conservationists”?
Conservationists laid emphasis on the sustainable use of the environment and the management of it’s resources to allow for future development.
They didn’t conserve the land for it’s intrinsic value, but for the value of goods and services it could provide. (end of 19th - 20th century)
Examples of conservationists?
Theodore Roosevelt
What happened to environmental awareness in the 20th Century?
There was a rise in environmental awareness as media coverage increased on the impact of human activity on the environment
eg. Sea ice melting cause rising sea levels
Give some examples of environmental movements in the 20th Century:
- Many international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement
- Many countries have started to replace fossil fuel powered station with renewable energy sources
- The convention of international trade in endangered species (CITES) restricts trade in over 5,000 animal species and 25,000 plant species.
- The UN Convention of the Law of the Seas aims to provide a structure to bring pollution under control and manages fisheries in international waters.
What do ALL EVS’ have?
- Inputs (everything around us that affects our opinions)
- Processes (taking in the knowledge to make an informed decision as to whether to accept or reject the ideas)
- Outputs (the creation of choices, decisions, perspectives and viewpoints)
What do ALL EVS’s have?
Inputs, processes and outputs
What are some examples of EVS inputs?
Family, education, cultural influences, religion, media, personal characteristics.
What are the outputs of an EVS?
Decisions, choices, perspectives, viewpoints, courses of action
What is Ecocentrism?
Ecocentrism proposes that there is an intrinsic value to natural resources and natural systems. Conservation of the environment is central to ecocentric values and a holistic worldview means there should be minimal disturbances of natural processes and the biorights of species and landscapes must be respected.
What is Anthropocentrism?
Anthropocentrism is a human-centred worldview that believes nature is there not because it has any intrinsic value, but because we can use all of its natural resources for our benefit. Humans are environmental managers of sustainable global systems. Economic growth and resource exploitation are acceptable so long as they are strongly regulated by independent authorities. Anthropocentrism also emphasize the need for population control in order to improve resource management.
What is Technocentrism?
Technocentric value systems have absolute faith in technology and industry. Natural processes need to be understood so that they can be controlled and replaced by technology if necessary. Technocentrics do not see environmental issues as problems to be solved, but more as opportunities for science to advance and industry to move forwards. They believe technology will keep pace with environmental issues.
What is an instrinsic value?
An intrinsic value is that something is of value just because it is there, you can NOT sell it in return for anything else.
