Unit 1 - Introduction to ESS

Environmental movement

Environmental movement

Humanity’s increasing awareness of the importance of conserving the environment health of our planet

Environmental value system (EVS)

The way an individual or a group of people perceives the environment and the resources it provides them with

Ecocentrism

An approach that prioritizes the intrinsic value of nature and the environment over human needs and interest

Anthrpocentrism

A worldview that places human beings at the center of the universe, prioritizing human needs and interest over those of other living beings and the environment

Technocentrism

A worldview that places technology and human ingenuity at the center of all, emphasizing the use of technology to overcome environmental problems

Deep ecologists

View nature as having intrinsic value and believe in preserving biodiversity and ecosystems as a moral obligation

Soft ecologists

View individual responsibility and self sufficiency in living sustainably, believing in reducing consumption and dependence on technology

Environmental managers

View the environment as a resource to be managed and conserved for human benefit, they believe in balancing economic development with environmental protection

Cornucopians

View the environment as a resource to be exploited for human benefit, believe in human ingenuity and technological advancements

Intrinsic value

It is still worth something, even if it doesn’t have any economic value

Systems approach

A method of simplifying and understanding a complicated set of interactions

Reductionist approach

Used to study specific interactions in great detail but doesn’t give the overall picture of what is occurring within the system as a whole

Holistic approach

Looking at processes and interactions occurring within the system together to study it as a whole

Transfers

The movement of matter or energy from one component of the system to another, without any change in form or quality

Transformations

Involves a change in the form or quality of matter or energy as it moves through the system

Open system

Both energy and matter are exchanged between the system and its surroundings (e.g. ecosystem, habitat)

Closed system

Energy, but not matter, is exchanged between the system and its surroundings (a sealed bottle of water)

Isolated system

Neither energy nor matter is exchanged between the system and its surroundings (universe)

Model

A simplified version designed to show how an object, system or concept is structured and how it functions