1.1 Perspectives (Generated by TurboLearn)

Flashcards made by TurboLearn AI + Edited by me

What is a perspective in environmental issues?

A perspective is how a situation is viewed and understood by an individual, based on personal and collective assumptions, values, and beliefs.

What are values in the context of environmental perspectives?

Values are qualities or principles deemed important in life that influence priorities, judgments, and choices, and are shaped by community and individual beliefs.

Who exemplifies an anthropocentric perspective?

Al Gore, who advocates for managing the environment through policies and legislation for human benefit.

What is the significance of the 1987 Montreal Protocol?

It was an international treaty to reduce CFC emissions and protect the ozone layer from depletion.

How do worldviews shape people's perceptions and actions regarding the environment?

They serve as lenses through which groups perceive, make sense of, and act within their environment, shaping values and perspectives through culture, philosophy, ideology, religion, and politics.

What is the significance of the concept of 'stewardship' in environmental ethics?

It assigns humans a responsible role to care for and manage the Earth sustainably.

What are biomagnification and bioaccumulation, and how are they related?

Bioaccumulation is the buildup of toxins in an organism over time, while biomagnification is the increase in toxin concentration at each trophic level as it moves up the food chain.

What are the broad categories of environmental perspectives?

Technocentric, anthropocentric, and ecocentric.

Who is a proponent of a technocentric worldview?

Bill Gates, who supports technological solutions to environmental issues like sustainable energy and agriculture.

What is animism and how does it influence environmental perspectives?

Animism is the belief that spirits exist in natural entities, fostering a spiritual and intrinsic valuation of nature.

Describe an ecocentric worldview.

It emphasizes the intrinsic value of all living and non-living components of nature, advocating for a holistic approach and less materialism.

What does the timeline of the modern environmental movement indicate about its development?

It began with the Neolithic Agricultural Revolution, followed by industrialization, conservation, the Green Revolution, and has continued to evolve to the present.

What does the term 'sustainability' mean as defined by the UN?

Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

How do perceptions vary despite identical visual input?

Perceptions can differ greatly among individuals even when they receive the same visual input due to differences in personal and cultural factors.

Who is an example of an ecocentrist?

Jane Goodall, who emphasizes the intrinsic value of nature and the interconnectedness of social, spiritual, and environmental dimensions.

What was Norman Borlaug's contribution to the Green Revolution?

He developed dwarf wheat varieties that increased crop yields and helped combat hunger.

What is an environmental value system (EVS)?

An EVS is a model showing how inputs like media and education influence perspectives and how these perspectives lead to judgments and actions.

What is media bias and why is it important to evaluate?

Media bias refers to the perceived favoritism or prejudice in news sources, and evaluating it is crucial for critically understanding information.

Describe a technocentric worldview.

It believes technological innovation can solve environmental problems and encourages scientific research to control and manipulate systems.

What is the concept of 'harmony with nature' as seen in indigenous cultures?

It refers to living in balance and in respectful relationship with the environment, avoiding exploitation and maintaining ecological sustainability.

Describe an anthropocentric worldview.

It considers humans as the central or most significant entities and promotes sustainable management of the environment for human benefit.

What is the significance of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio?

It marked a global effort to address environmental issues and led to agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the establishment of the UNFCCC.

What does the ozone hole over Antarctica indicate?

Thinning of the ozone layer caused by CFC gases, leading to increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface.

What is the main idea of the Gaia theory by James Lovelock?

Earth functions as a self-regulating system, where life influences the environment and vice versa, creating conditions suitable for life.

What is the importance of understanding cultural differences in environmental perspectives?

It helps recognize diverse values and practices, fostering more effective and respectful environmental policies and actions.

Why is changing addictive behaviors challenging, and can such behaviors damage the environment?

Addictive behaviors are hard to change due to psychological dependence, and some, like overconsumption and pollution, directly harm the environment.

How do perspectives on the environment evolve over time?

They are influenced by campaigns, social changes, scientific knowledge, and demographic shifts, leading to shifts in attitudes and behaviors.

What factors influence the development of an individual's environmental values system?

Sociocultural norms, scientific understandings, laws, religion, economic conditions, local and global events, and lived experience.

What environmental issue is exemplified by the Minamata Bay case study?

The issue of mercury bioaccumulation and biomagnification leading to mercury poisoning in humans and wildlife.

How do media and scientific discoveries influence the development of the environmental movement?

They raise awareness, inform policies, and inspire activism through documentaries, reports, and scientific findings.

What are some influences that have shaped the growth of the modern environmental movement?

Individuals like Rachel Carson, media such as documentaries, environmental disasters, international agreements, technological advances, and scientific discoveries.

What is the purpose of behaviour-time graphs in environmental studies?

To show how human behaviors or societal responses change over time in reaction to environmental issues or awareness campaigns.

What are the primary sources of mercury pollution in South Africa?

Coal-fired power plants and gold mining are major sources of mercury emissions in South Africa.

What does the 'OZONE LAYER IS HEALING!' graphic suggest?

The ozone layer has been recovering due to international efforts like the Montreal Protocol to reduce ozone-depleting substances.

What is the Paris Agreement of 2015?

A global pact to combat climate change by accelerating and intensifying actions for a low-carbon future.

How do indigenous populations' environmental perspectives differ from European pioneers?

Indigenous populations typically have a subsistence economy based on barter, see the environment as communal, live in harmony with nature, and often practice animalistic religions, whereas European pioneers exploit resources with advanced technology, causing environmental degradation.

What does the media bias chart help us do?

It helps critically evaluate news sources based on perceived bias and reliability.

What was the cause and impact of the 1984 Bhopal disaster?

A gas leak at a pesticide plant released toxic methyl isocyanate, exposing over 600,000 people to deadly gases, resulting in thousands of deaths and long-term health issues.

What is the significance of Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring'?

'Silent Spring' highlighted the environmental and health dangers of pesticides like DDT, raising awareness and spurring environmental movements.

How did the 1985 British Antarctic Team contribute to understanding ozone depletion?

They discovered the thinning of ice sheets and identified the hole in the ozone layer caused by CFC gases.

What is the significance of the 2015 Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement committed countries to limit global temperature rise and pursue sustainable development goals.

Who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for environmental activism?

Al Gore, for his work on raising awareness about climate change through 'An Inconvenient Truth'.

What was the significance of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster?

It caused between 30,000 and 60,000 deaths and released radiation 100 times more than atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

What was the goal of the Kyoto Protocol signed in 1997?

To reduce global carbon emissions by 5% between 2008 and 2012.

What are the main environmental consequences of the Chernobyl disaster?

The Chernobyl disaster caused widespread radioactive contamination, leading to long-term health and environmental impacts.

What is the main focus of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro?

Global cooperation on sustainable development and environmental protection.

What was the primary goal of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio?

The Rio Earth Summit aimed to promote sustainable development and environmental protection globally.

What is the significance of the 1980s in the environmental movement?

The decade marked increased awareness of sustainability, ozone depletion, and the emergence of international agreements like the Montreal Protocol.

What role do social media platforms play in environmental activism?

Social media amplifies awareness, mobilizes action, and facilitates communication among activists and the public.

How do perspectives influence environmental decision-making?

Perspectives, shaped by values and worldviews, determine how individuals and societies prioritize and respond to environmental issues.

What is the purpose of Daisyworld models in environmental science?

To understand how life and global systems connect and regulate each other, supporting the Gaia hypothesis by James Lovelock.