ESS Unit 1

Perspective definition

is how a particular situation is viewed and understood by an individual. Perspectives are based on a mix of personal and collective assumptions, values and beliefs.

Assumption definition

are the underlying ideas we hold about the world. They are mental shortcuts that allow us to make quick judgments and interpret complex situations

Values definition

are the qualities or principles that people feel have worth and importance in life

Beliefs definition

are our convictions about reality and are often closely related to our values

Worldviews definition

are lenses, often shared by groups of people, through which they perceive, make sense of, and act within their environment.

Human - nature dualism

A worldview that sees human beings as separate from nature, and views nature as a resource for human exploitation.

Imperialist worldview

the idea that there is a sacred bond between humans and their god, and that nature is separate from this. The role of science is thus to control nature

Stewardship worldview

humans have responsibilities towards the environment on a local and global scale and that comes with certain privileges. We can manage the environment and we can exploit it; therefore, it is our duty to look after and treat it respectfully

Romantic worldview

nature is valuable to human beings because it is a beautiful and unadulterated thing to be seen aesthetically

Utilitarian worldview

utilitarianism holds that the greatest good is happiness and freedom from pain and suffering. Actions with outcomes that promote the greatest good for the greatest number of humans are morally right. Nature is seen from a utilitarian viewpoint in what it can do for humans.

Animism definition

A worldview that sees no fundamental divide between human beings and nature; it recognises the deep connections between all biotic and abiotic elements of the planet, even proposing that the entire living world is sentient and that humans and other natural entities are all related.

Sociocultural norms

The rules that a community uses to determine what is appropriate behaviour, expression, and values.

What influences perspectives and worldviews

• sociocultural norms

• scientific understanding

• laws

• religion

• economic conditions

• campaigns

• demographics

• local and global events

• specific lived experiences

Confirmation bias

When we only pay attention to information that confirms what we already believe

Environmental value system (EVS)

A type of worldview that is focused on the relationship between human beings and the natural world.

Ecocentrism

is a worldview that places nature at the centre of our value system. Ecocentrists believe that all living beings, including humans, are interconnected and interdependent.

→ common among indigenous communities that live in harmony with nature

→ approximately 80% of remaining global species diversity sits in land inhibited by indigenous communities

Anthropocentrism

humans at the centre of our value system

→recognise that humans need a thriving environment to survive and often support the management of environmental issues to ensure human well-being.

Technocentrism

→ believes that technology and human innovation can address most social and environmental issues

→ They see nature as a resource to be exploited for human benefit.

Influences on the environmental movement

• Technological development → provide more options for being eco friendly

• international agreements →

How does literature affect environmental movements

Silent Spring (1962) - the start of the modern environmental movement

how do scientific discoveries affect environmental movements

Pushing global heating to at or above 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to before the Industrial Revolution in the mid-1700s → those numbers make people change their minds, realise that the problem is more significant

how do individuals affect environmental movements

Wangari Maathai, who founded the Green Belt Movement (an indigenous grassroots organisation in Kenya that empowers local communitis, especially women, to take part in reforestation and sustainable development projects

→ was awarded with Nobel Peace Prize in 2004

how do environmental disasters affect environmental movements

Bhopal, India in 1984 - a pesticide plant owned by Union Carbide India Limited leaked toxic methyl isocyanate gas

→ a symbol of industrial safety and corporate responsibility

how do technological developments affect environmental movements

provide more options for being eco friendly

how do international agreements affect environmental movements

Rio Earth Summit in 1992 brought together world leaders to address urgent environemntal issues (climate change, biodiversity loss)

→ Led to United Nations Frameword Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

&Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

how does media affect environmental movements

former US vice president Al Gore’s documentary “An Inconvenient Truth”

→brought the urgent issue of climate change to the public