Topic 1.1 - Foundations

Perspective

How a particular situation is viewed and understood by an individual, influenced by personal and collective assumptions, values, and beliefs.

Personal Perspectives

Individual viewpoints that lead to diverse positions on environmental and social issues, influencing choices and actions.

Sociocultural Norms

Socially accepted standards that inform and justify perspectives, shaped by culture, laws, religion, and experiences.

Argument

A statement made to support or counter a personally held perspective, distinct from the perspective itself.

Values

Qualities or principles that individuals deem important, affecting priorities, judgments, and choices, shaped by community.

Communication of Values

How values are expressed through actions and interactions within the wider community, reflected in organizational policies and advertisements.

Values Surveys

Tools used to investigate social group perspectives on environmental issues, accommodating various viewpoints.

Worldviews

Lenses shared by groups that shape values and perspectives, influenced by culture, philosophy, ideology, religion, and politics.

Environmental Value System

A model showing the inputs affecting perspectives and the outputs resulting from those perspectives, including judgments and actions.

Environmental Perspectives

Classified into technocentric, anthropocentric, and ecocentric categories, each with distinct assumptions about the environment.

Technocentrism

A perspective that believes all environmental issues can be resolved through technology.

Anthropocentrism

A viewpoint that considers humankind as the central element of existence, encompassing a variety of beliefs.

Ecocentrism

A perspective that values the natural world as having intrinsic importance and pre-eminent value.

Changing Perspectives

The idea that beliefs and perspectives evolve over time, influenced by campaigns and social changes.

Environmental Movement Influences

Factors such as individuals, literature, media, disasters, agreements, technologies, and scientific discoveries that shape the movement.

Environmental Activist

An individual who has significantly influenced the environmental movement through their actions or advocacy.

Author Influence

A writer whose work has impacted environmental perspectives or movements.

Media Influence

Documentaries or media pieces that have raised awareness about environmental issues, such as "An Inconvenient Truth."

Environmental Disaster

Major incidents that have highlighted environmental issues, such as the Chernobyl disaster.

International Agreements

Global accords aimed at addressing environmental challenges, like the Rio Earth Summit.

Technological Developments

Innovations that have contributed to environmental sustainability, such as plant-based meats.

Scientific Discovery

Research findings that reveal critical information about environmental issues, like pesticide toxicity.

Greta Thunberg

Initiated the global "Fridays for Future" movement, mobilizing millions of students worldwide to demand urgent climate action from policymakers.

Rachel Carson

Authored "Silent Spring" in 1962, highlighting the dangers of pesticides like DDT, which led to increased public awareness and policy changes regarding chemical use.

"An Inconvenient Truth" (2006)

This Al Gore documentary brought climate change issues to mainstream attention, influencing public opinion and encouraging environmental activism.

Chernobyl Disaster (1986)

The catastrophic nuclear accident raised global awareness about the risks of nuclear energy, leading to policy reforms and a reevaluation of nuclear safety standards.

Paris Agreement/Acord (2015)

A landmark international treaty where 195 countries committed to limit global warming to well below 2°C, aiming for 1.5°C, and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The Green Revolution

Introduced high-yield crop varieties and advanced agricultural techniques in the mid-20th century, significantly increasing food production but also leading to environmental concerns like soil degradation and pesticide overuse.

Discovery of Pesticide Toxicity

Research revealing the harmful effects of pesticides on ecosystems and human health prompted stricter regulations and a shift towards more sustainable agricultural practices.