Environmental Systems and Societies Flashcards

Flashcards for key vocabulary from ESS lecture notes.

Environmental Value System (EVS)

Paradigm that shapes how individuals/groups perceive & evaluate environmental issues.

Conservationist

Conserves nature so that it can continue to supply goods & services sustainably.

Preservationist

Conserves nature unconditionally for its spiritual value.

Ecocentric

Nature centered perspective where ecology is central to humanity and nature has intrinsic value.

Anthropocentric

People centered perspective that believes human health is necessary in decision making and technology can solve issues. Resource replacement to solve resource depletion Economic growth is important.

Technocentric

Perspective that encourages sustainability and using technology to solve ecological problems.

System

A set of interrelated parts working together to make a complex whole.

Transfers

Energy/matter flows and changes location, but not state.

Transformations

Energy/matter flows and changes state (chemical nature).

Open system

Exchanges energy and matter with its surroundings; most living systems.

Closed system

Exchanges energy but not matter with its environment; hydrological, carbon, nitrogen cycles are closed.

Isolated system

Exchanges neither energy nor matter with its surroundings (universe).

Biosphere

Fragile skin on planet Earth; includes air (atmosphere), rocks (lithosphere), and water (hydrosphere).

Entropy

Measure of disorder; more entropy=less order. The dispersal of energy of an isolated system not in equilibrium increases over time.

Efficiency

Work/energy produced divided by energy consumed.

Equilibrium

The tendency of a system to return to original state following disturbance.

Steady state equilibrium

Continuous inputs and outputs of energy and matter but system still remains in a constant state (eg: body temperature (sweat/shiver to cool/warm body).

Static equilibrium

No change over time (pile of books that does not move): NON LIVING.

Positive feedback

Amplify changes & drive systems toward a tipping point (new equilibrium adopted).

Negative feedback

Stabilizes steady-state equilibrium; counteract deviation from equilibrium.

Resilience

Ability of a system to return to initial state after disturbance.

Tipping points

When an ecosystem experiences a shift to a new state (significant changes to its biodiversity and services it provides).

Sustainability

Management of resources that allows full natural replacement of resources exploited & full recovery of ecosystems affected by their extinction and use.

Sustainable development

Meet needs of present without compromising ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Natural Capital

Natural resources producing a sustainable natural income.

Natural Income

Yield obtained from natural resources.

Tragedy of the Commons

Acting in one's own self interest (max utility) which destroys long term future of that resource.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Baseline study (assess env, soc, econ impacts) which includes pros+cons of a development (mitigation).

CAFO

Concentrated animal feeding operation

Ecological footprint

Area of land & water required to sustainably provide all resources at the rate at which they are being consumed by a given population.

Pollution

Addition of a substance to the environment by human activity at a rate greater than which it can be rendered harmless.

Primary pollutants

Active on emission (carbon monoxide).

Secondary pollutants

Formed by primary pollutants undergoing phy/chem changes (SO3→ acid rain).

Point source pollution

Single identifiable source (waste disposal pipe), easy to manage.

Non-point source pollution

Numerous widely dispersed origins, gases from vehicles, cannot detect.

Acute pollution

Large amount of pollutant released (a lot of harm): Bhopal Disaster 1984.

Chronic pollution

Long-term release in small amounts (Beijing air): spreads widely, hard to clean up.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Pesticides resistant to breaking down (remain active for long) that bioaccumulate in animal/human tissues & biomagnify in food chains.

Biodegradable Pollutants

Don’t persist in the environment, break down easily (soap, domestic sewage).

Microbeads

Small, solid, manufactured plastic particles that are less than 5mm and don't degrade or dissolve in water.