ESS IB

Perspective

how a particular situation is viewed and understood by an individual, based on assumptions, values and beliefs

Knowledge systems

the ways people gather and use knowledge about nature and life, based on their worldviews

Scientific knowledge

comes from formal methods and research

Indigenous and local knowledge

is diverse, tied to culture and place, and can be written, spoken, visual, or practical.

Broad values

are general life goals or morals, like freedom, justice, or harmony with nature

Specific values

are how people judge nature’s importance in specific situations

Instrumental values

Nature as a resource or tool for human use.

Intrinsic value

Nature is valuable on its own, regardless of humans.

Relational values

Importance comes from relationships with nature or between people through nature (eg: spiritual or cultural connections)

Value indicators

are ways to measure nature’s importance, either in numbers, money, or social/cultural terms

Technocentrism

Assumes all environmental issues can be resolved through technology

Anthropocentrism

humankind is central as the most important element of existence; decisions focus on human benefit.

Ecocentrism

nature has its own value, and we must protect it

Argument

a statement or statements made to support a personally held perspective to counter a different one

Values

qualities or principles that people feel have worth and importance in life. They may be individual or held by a group

Worldviews

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

System

set of inter-linking parts working together to make a functioning whole

Transfers

occurs when energy or matter flows and changes location but does not change its state

Transformations

occurs when energy or matter flows and changes in state, a change in chemical nature or change in energy form

Storages

the stock of matter or energy within a system

Flow

the movement of matter or energy from one storage to another, or into/out of the system

Boundary

the designated area separating the system from its surroundings

Input

Matter or energy entering the system

Output

matter or energy exiting the system

Open systems

exchanges energy and matter across the boundaries of the system. (All ecosystems are open systems)

Closed systems

Exchanges energy but does not exchange matter across the boundaries of the system.

Isolated systems

Exchange no matter or energy across the boundaries of the system

Stable equilibrium

When something gets disturbed but naturally goes back to its original balance.

Steady-stable equilibrium

when things keep moving in and out of the system, but the inputs and outputs stay equal, so the overall balance doesn’t change.

Unstable equilibrium

system returns to a new equilibrium after disturbance

Feedback loops

when a change causes a reaction, and that reaction then feeds back to cause more change.

Negative feedback loops

output of a process inhibits or reverses the operation of the same process in such a way as to reduce change.

Positive feedback loops

Occurs when a disturbance leads to an amplification of disturbance, destabilizing the system and driving it away from the equilibrium.

Tipping point

sufficient changes occur over that can push a system beyond a critical threshold. Into a new state

Resilience

tendency to avoid tipping points and maintain stability through steady state equilibrium.

Ecological overshoot

phenomenon which occurs when the demand made on a natural ecosystem exceeds its regenerative capacity.

3 Pillars of sustainability

Economy, society, and environment

Sustainability

living within the boundaries of nature and using the earth’s natural capital in a renewable matter.

Economic sustainability

Focuses on creating economic structures and systems to support production and consumption of goods and services that will support human needs into the future. (Green GDP is an indicator of economic growth with environmental factors)

Social sustainability

Focuses on creating the structures and systems that support human well-being, including health, education, equity, community, and other social factors.

Environmental sustainability

Management of natural resources that allow replenishment of resources, and recovery regeneration of ecosystems.

Indicators

GDP, Human development index, carbon footprint calculator, Ecological footprint calculator, water footprint calculator, biocapacity, etc.

Ecological Overshoot

Phenomenon which occurs when the demands made on a natural ecosystem exceed its regenerative capacity.

Sustainable Development

Approach to growth and human development that aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Green GDP

Indicator that modifies the standard Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by deducting the environmental costs associated with economic activity, such as pollution, resource depletion, and ecosystem degradation.

What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development is a development approach that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

What is green GDP?

Green GDP is an economic growth measure that accounts for environmental costs and the depletion of natural resources.

What is a circular economy?

A circular economy is an economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources by creating a closed-loop system where products, materials, and resources are reused, repaired, and recycled.

Who was Gro Harlem Brundtland?

Brundtland was the former prime minister of Norway and the developed the idea of sustainable development

What is Earth Overshoot Day?

Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity's demand for ecological resources in a given year exceeds what the Earth can regenerate in that year.

How is global wealth distributed?

Global wealth distribution is highly unequal, with a small percentage of the population holding a significant portion of the world's wealth, while a large number of people live in poverty.

What is ecological overshoot?

Ecological overshoot occurs when humanity's demand on the biosphere exceeds what the Earth's ecosystems can regenerate, leading to resource depletion and environmental degradation.

How many planets would we need to sustain a global standard of living like Europe?

2.5

How many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are there for 2030?

There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established for 2030.

What are some sustainability indicators?

Three sustainability indicators include GDP, HDI, and biocapacity.