ESS Topic 1 Flashcards
Ecocentric Value System
puts ecology and human nature as central to humanity
emphasises less materialistic approach - self sufficiency
integrates social, spiritual and environmental dimensions into holistic idea
Anthropocentric Value System
humans must sustainably manage global system
through taxes, regulation and legislation
Technocentric Value System
technological developments provide solutions to environmental problems
prioritises scientific research and development
Intrinsic Value
the inner worth of something to someone - the environment has intrinsic value
Systems
set of things working together to form a. complex whole
comprised of storage and flows
Open systems
exchanges both energy and matter
Closed systems
exchanges only energy
Isolated systems
neither energy or matter is exchanged
purely hypothetical
Strengths of models
allow scientists to make predictions,
simplifies complex situations,
inputs can be changed and outcomes examined without waiting for real events,
results can be shared by others
Weaknesses of Models
Involves approximation,
loss of accuracy,
different people interpret them differently,
relies on expertise of people making them
Principle of conservation energy
in an isolated system energy cannot be created nor destroyed - only transformed
2nd law of thermodynamics
entropy of a system increases over time
entropy
measure of disorder in a system, reduces availability for energy to do work, occurs from energy transformation
Equilibrium
ecosystem normally exists in a stable equilibrium either steady-state or one developing over time - maintained by negative feedback loops
Negative Feedback loops
when output of a process inhibits or reserves the operation of the same process to reduce change
e.g. rising global temperature = melt ice caps - more water for evaporation = more clouds = more radiation reflected by clouds = falling global temperature
