all topics

Intrinsic values

The value something has simply because it exists

Animism

The belief that natural objects and living things possess a spiritual essence.

Environmental value system (EVS)

A set of beliefs and values that shape how individuals or groups view and respond to environmental issues.

Technocentric

A value system that trusts technology and human innovation to solve environmental problems.

Anthropocentric

A human-centered value system that prioritizes human needs over nature.

Ecocentric

A nature-centered value system that values ecosystems and the environment for their own sake.

Value

A principle or standard that influences decisions and behavior.

Relational values

Values based on relationships between people and nature

Confirmation bias

The tendency to favor information that supports existing beliefs.

Biocentric

A value system that believes all living organisms have intrinsic value.

Paradigm

A shared set of beliefs or assumptions that shape how people understand the world.

Biorights

The belief that living organisms have moral or legal rights.

Capitalism

An economic system based on private ownership and profit.

Argument

A reasoned claim supported by evidence.

Beliefs

Ideas accepted as true that influence values and decisions.

Behaviour

The actions of individuals or groups influenced by values and beliefs.

Environmentalism

Concern for protecting the environment and promoting sustainability.

Socio-political

Relating to interactions between society and political systems.

Socialism

An economic system where resources are owned or regulated collectively.

Democracy

A political system where citizens participate in decision-making.

Instrumental values

The value of nature based on its usefulness to humans.

Worldview

A broad perspective shaped by culture

Communism

A system where property is collectively owned and social classes are minimized.

Totalitarianism

A political system where the state has complete control over society.

Pastoralists

People who depend mainly on livestock herding for survival.

Stewardship

The responsibility of humans to manage the environment sustainably.

System

A set of interacting components functioning together as a whole.

System approach

Studying interactions between components rather than isolating parts.

Reductionism

Understanding a system by breaking it into smaller components.

Synergy

When the combined effect of components is greater than their individual effects.

Gaia hypothesis

The idea that Earth functions as a self-regulating system supporting life.

Biosphere

The region of Earth where life exists.

Regeneration

The natural recovery or renewal of ecosystems.

Matter

Anything that has mass and occupies space; it cycles through systems.

Direct relationship

A relationship where a change in one variable directly causes a change in another.

Emergent properties

Characteristics that arise from interactions within a system.

Model

A simplified representation used to understand or predict system behavior.

Flows

The movement of energy or matter through a system.

Inputs

Energy or matter entering a system.

Outputs

Energy or matter leaving a system.

Ecosystem

A community of organisms interacting with their physical environment.

Resilience

The ability of a system to recover from disturbance.

Energy

The capacity to do work; flows through ecosystems.

Indirect relationship

A relationship where effects occur through intermediate variables.

Transfer

Movement of energy or matter from one place to another.

Storage

Where energy or matter is held within a system.

Processes

Actions that transform energy or matter within a system.

Assemblage

A collection of interacting components forming a system.

Transformation

A change in the form or state of energy or matter.

Tipping point

A threshold beyond which rapid or irreversible change occurs.

Dynamic equilibrium

A stable state where inputs and outputs fluctuate but balance overall.

Open system

A system that exchanges both energy and matter with its surroundings.

Closed system

A system that exchanges energy but not matter.

Stock

Stored quantities of energy or matter within a system.

Boundaries

Limits that define what is included in a system.

Steady state

A condition where inputs equal outputs over time.

Positive feedback

Processes that amplify change in a system.

Negative feedback

Processes that counteract change and stabilize a system.

Stable equilibrium

A system that returns to balance after disturbance.

Sustainability

Meeting present needs without compromising future generations.

Ecological footprint

The amount of land and water needed to support resource use.

Development

Improvement in quality of life measured by social and economic factors.

Environmental justice

Fair treatment of all people regarding environmental benefits and burdens.

Raw materials

Natural resources used to produce goods.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The total value of goods and services produced in a country.

Biocapacity

The ability of ecosystems to regenerate resources and absorb waste.

Distributive economy

An economy focused on fair distribution of resources.

Environmental sustainability

Maintaining ecosystem health while using resources.

Waste

Unwanted materials produced by human activity.

Planetary boundaries

Environmental limits that humanity should not exceed.

Carbon footprint

Total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an activity or individual.

Social sustainability

Maintaining social well-being and equity.

Sustainable development

Development that balances environmental

Citizen science

Scientific research conducted with public participation.

Linear economy

A take-make-dispose economic model.

UN SDGs

Seventeen global goals set by the United Nations to achieve sustainability.

Doughnut economics

An economic model balancing human needs within planetary limits.

Ecological tipping point

A threshold where an ecosystem shifts to a new state.

Water footprint

Total freshwater used to produce goods and services.

Economic sustainability

An economy that supports long-term stability without harm.

Inequality

Unequal distribution of resources or opportunities.

Human Development Index (HDI)

A measure of development based on health

Ecological ceiling

The maximum environmental limits that cannot be exceeded.

Circular economy

An economic system focused on reuse

Laws of Thermodynamics

Principles stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed and that energy transformations increase entropy.

Photosynthesis

The process by which producers convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.

Cellular respiration

The process by which organisms release energy from glucose using oxygen.

Conservation of energy

The principle that energy cannot be created or destroyed

Carbon compounds

Molecules containing carbon

Organic matter

Material originating from living organisms containing carbon compounds.

Non-biodegradable

Materials that cannot be broken down naturally by decomposers.

Biomass

The total mass of living material in a given area or trophic level.

Sustainability

Using resources in a way that maintains ecosystem function over time.

Energy transfer

Movement of energy between trophic levels.

Trophic levels

Feeding positions in a food chain or web.

Bioaccumulation

The buildup of toxins in an organism over time.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food using light or chemical energy.

Producers

Autotrophic organisms that form the base of food chains.

Food chains

Linear sequences showing energy transfer between organisms.

Food webs

Interconnected food chains within an ecosystem.