Transcript Intro 1. Env value systems - DornEnvSci

IB
ENVIRONMENTAL
SYSTEMS
Environmental Values Systems
This semester, we’re going to talk about
‘the environment’ what is that?
•What is included?
•What is excluded?
•What is your opinion of ‘the environment’?
• How do other people in your
home/community/state/nation/world view the
environment?
Is there a point to studying the environment?
• (let’s hope so ) WHY should we study it?
The environment has value…
but how much??
• What does that mean?
• What is the value of the
environment?
• Intrinsic/extrinsic value?
• What do you think?
• What’s your world view?
• How is your world view influenced?
Inputs
•Media
•Religion
•Science
•Education
•Politics
•Culture
Outputs
•Decisions
•Perspective
•Course of Action
How do these philosophies influence
decision making?
•Individually
•In your family
•In the community
•In the US
•Etc…
Environmental attitudes questionnaire: Think about whether you agree or disagree…
1. Humans are part of nature
2. Humans are to blame for all the world’s environmental problems
3. We depend on the environment for our resources (food, water, fuel)
4. Nomadic and indigenous peoples live in balance with their environment
5. Traditional farming methods do not damage the environment
6. Nature will make good any damage that humans do to the Earth
7. Humans have every right to use all resources on the planet
8. Technology will solve our energy crisis
9. We have passed the tipping on climate change and th Earth is warming up and
we cannot stop it
10. Animals and plants have as much right to live on Earth as humans
11. Looking at a beautiful view is not as important as economic progress
12. Species have always become extinct on Earth and so it does not matter that
humans are causing extinction.
There are varying ideologies
• Ecocentrism (Nature centered)
• Anthropocentricism (people centered)
• Technocentrism (technology centered)
Its really a continuum.
Where do you fall?
Where does Cumberland County fall (in your opinion)?
Where does the US fall?
Canada? Europe? Asia? Africa?
Let’s look at some case studies of different ideologies
Timeline of Modern Environmental Movement…
10 000 years ago—Neolithic Agricultural Revolution
manage local resources
1800ish—Industrial Revolution
human population & resource usage growth SIGNIFICANT
few conservationists spoke about loss of “wilderness”
most figured the world contained an infinite supply of resources
1940-60s—Green Revolution
mechanized agriculturemore food produced
burning fossil fuels, fertilizer and pesticide use rose sharply
As a result…collapsing fish stocks, endangered species, pesticide poisoning,
deforestation, nuclear waste, ozone layer depletion, global warming, acid
precipitation
1970s—Shift in philosophy
1980s—focus on sustainability
1990s—global warming & global economies
2000s—Climate change, time for action?
For Monday, compare and contrast two specific
societies. Here are some ideas… or choose your
own!
• Buddhist and Judaeo-Christian Societies
• First Nation Americans and European pioneers operating
frontier economics
• Communist and capitalist societies
• AND YOU!!
(what is your personal viewpoint)
Historical Influences on current movement…
•Let’s read about some specific events
that have shaped the current
Environmental Movement