Unit 1 - Key Terms Flashcards
Perspective
Perspective: how particular situations are viewed and understood by an individual
Value
Value: qualities or principles that people feel have worth and importance in life
Worldview
Worldview: or Paradigm, it shapes the way a group of people perceive and evaluate environmental issues. It’s influenced by cultural, religious, economic and sociopolitical contexts
Arguments
Arguments are made to support a personally held perspective or to counter a different one
Systems Diagram
A system diagram shows the stores and flows of energy and matter in a system.
Transfers
A transfer is a change in location of energy or matter.
Transformations
A transformation is a change in chemical nature, a change in state or a change in energy.
Example: photosynthesis - transforming CO², H²O and light into biomass and O²
Environmental Value System (EVS)
An EVS is a model that shows the inputs affecting our perspectives and the outputs resulting from our perspectives.
Technocentrism
A technocentric point of view assumes that all environmental issues can be resolved through technology.
Anthropocentrism
An anthroprocentric point of view believes humans must sustainably manage the global system. (laws, policies,taxes, etc). Views humans as the most important element of existence.
Ecocentrism
An ecocentric point of view integrates social, spiritual, and environmental dimensions into a holistic ideal. It puts ecology and nature as central to humanity and emphasises on a less materialistic approach to life.
System
A system is an assemblage of parts and the relationships between them, which together constitute an entity or whole. Systems consist of storages and flows.
Negative Feedback
Feedback that counteracts any change away from equilibrium, contributing to stability.
(A method of control that regulates itself)
Steady-state Equilibrium
The condition of a system in which there is a tendency for it to return to the previous equilibrium following disturbances.
Open System
Both matter and energy are exchanged across the boundaries of the system. Open systems are organic (living). Examples - ecosystems/people
Closed System
Only exchanges energy across its boundary, while matter is recycled within the system. Example: Earth has an input of solar radiation and an output of heat energy.
Flows
Processes that may be either transfers or transformations.
Flows = inputs & outputs
Positive Feedback
Occurs when a change in the system leads to additional and increased change - destabilising (snowball effect)
Tipping Point
A crucial threshold where even a small change can have dramatic effects and cause a shift in equilibrium.
Emergent Properties
A property that the system has but the individual components do not
Resilience of systems
The capacity to resist damage and recover from or adapt efficiently to disturbances
Sustainability
Using global resources at a rate that allows natural regeneration and minimises damage to the environment
Pollution
the contamination of the Earth and the atmosphere to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected
Environmental Justice
fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies
Stable Equilibrium
condition of a system in which there is a tendency for it to return to the previous equilibrium following a disturbance
Sustainable Development
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
