Perspective and Value Systems Flashcards
Environment
the external surroundings of an organism that acts on it and affects its survival
Systems
made of separate parts that are linked together and affect one another
Societies
group of individuals who share common characteristics
EX: location, culture, religion, etc.
Preservation
protects the environment by limiting or even banning human use of certain natural resources
Conservation
protects the environment through the responsible use of natural resources
Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir (1800s-1900s)
fought alongside John Muir to preserve Yosemite as place not disturbed by humans taking resources (preservation)
Grifford Pinchot
believed forests should be used and renewed to maintain flow of resources for human use AND to conserve the environment (conservation)
Aldo Leopold (1900s-1960s)
author of “A Sand County Almanac”.
argued nature is not our servant to be used and abused and we have ethical responsibility to maintain balance of nature
The Green Revolution (1940s-1960s)
scientific development led to greater global agriculture
Rachel Carson
author of “Silent Spring”.
spoke against negative effects of pesticides / DDT chemical pollution on natural systems
The Environmental Movement (1968)
people became more aware of finite nature of earth.
turned to promoting awareness and coordinating positive change to destructive human behavior.
Movement of 1970s
Greenpeace established.
media coverage.
Earth Summit on Environment at UN.
convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
Stewardship
humans are responsible for caring for the environment, not exploiting it
Minamata, Japan (1959)
wastewater pollution by plastic manufacturers included mercury and other heavy metals.
found way into fish and shellfish (local diet).
symtoms: convulsions, slurred speech, loss of motor functions, uncontrollable limb movements.
Niagra Falls, NY (1976-1978)
Love Canal.
school built on former toxic waste dump.
dangers denied for long time.
only came clear after grass-roots activism.
Grassroots Movements
uses the people in a given district, region, or community as the basis for a political, social or economic movement
UN World Commission on Environment and Development (1983)
Developing land without destroying it for future generations
Bhopal, India (1984)
Union Carbide pesticide plant released 45 tons of poisonous methyl isocyanate.
15,000 dead.
survivors suffered: blindness, organ failure, bodily malfunctions, birth defects.
worst industrial disaster ever.