1.1 Foundations of ESS

Question 1

what is a system?

Answer 1

A set of parts that work together to make the whole function. Generally the whole is more efficient than all the parts.

Question 2

what are inputs and outputs?

Answer 2

Inputs: feed into the system
Outputs: are the results of the system.

Question 3

in a system diagram, what does an arrow represent?

Answer 3

flows

Question 4

in a system diagram, what does a box represent?

Answer 4

storages

Question 5

what are the inputs of EVS (enviromental value systems)

Answer 5

Family, peers, media, religion, education, science, politics, economics

Question 6

what are the outputs of EVS (enviromental value systems)

Answer 6

Decisions, perspectives, course of action

Question 7

what are the three categories of environmental values?

Answer 7

Ecocentric, Anthropocentric Technocentric

Question 8

what are the ways to describe ecocentrics?

Answer 8

(Nature Centered) Minimum disturbances to nature

Question 9

what are the ways to describe anthropocentric?

Answer 9

(People Centered)
people are managers of the earth

Question 10

Who are the three extremes sample of enirmental values?

Answer 10

deep ecologists, environmental managers,Cornucopians

Question 11

for this unit, you have two case studies, what are they?

Answer 11

Rachel Carsons (1962) and Minamata bay disaster (1956)

Question 12

Talk about Rachel Carsons?

Answer 12

“Silent Spring” book 1962
Highlighted issues caused by DDT pesticide (weakening of egg shells due to biomag/accumulation)
Led to greater public awareness of environmental issues and was the inspiration for other environmentalists
Indirectly led to formation of EPA in 1970
Eventually led to a ban on using DDT in agriculture

Question 13

Talk about the minimata bay disaster?

Answer 13

City in Japan, small fishing village got a factory making nitrogous feryiliser.
Cats and humans have epilepcy liek affliction
mobility convections death
it was causd by organic murcuary from sea food intake of bay. Watse from factory in water. Babies brain damge next generation.

Emphasized the ability of food chains to accumulate toxins into higher trophic levels (including humans)
Got the public interested in what ends up in our water and the impact it can have
led to coalition of NGOs to call on countries to take action to address risk of human health impacts from consuming whale/dolphin products
International Whaling Commission urges government to remain vigilant
Minimate Convention on Mercury limits its use