ESS (Term 1 Semester 1.0)

T1S1 - Terms

EVS (Environmental Value System)

A worldview or set of paradigms that shape the ways individuals and groups approach environmental issues. It is influenced by cultural, religious, economic, and socio-political contexts.

Ecocentric

A viewpoint that puts ecology and nature as central to humanity. It emphasizes a less materialistic approach to life and greater self-sufficiency of societies. Ecocentrics prioritize the rights of nature and emphasize the importance of education and self-restraint in human behavior.

Anthropocentric

A viewpoint that argues that humans must sustainably manage the global system. They prioritize human health and well-being in decision-making and believe that humans are the most important species. They suggest resolving environmental problems through debate and reaching a pragmatic approach.

Technocentric

A viewpoint that argues that technological developments can provide solutions to environmental problems. Technocentrics believe in the pro-growth agenda and emphasize the importance of economic growth and improving living standards. They suggest solving environmental problems through scientific research and understanding how systems can be controlled and manipulated.

Positive Feedback

A feedback mechanism that amplifies a particular state from previous conditions. It tends to drive a system toward a tipping point and can lead to instability and significant changes in the system.

Negative Feedback

A feedback mechanism that dampens the effects and promotes a return to stability. It helps maintain a system in its equilibrium state and prevents significant changes or tipping points.

EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment)

A process that assesses the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a proposed large-scale project before it is undertaken. It includes baseline studies, predictions of potential impacts, and suggestions for mitigation strategies to minimize the project's impact.

MEA (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment)

An international assessment of the effects of human activity on the environment. It provides a scientific appraisal of the condition of the world's ecosystems and involves representatives from the UN, NGOs, academics, business leaders, and indigenous people.

Point Source Pollution

Pollution that comes from a single, localized source that can be easily identified and regulated. Examples include draining pipes, leaking tanks, and factory chimneys.

Non-Point Source Pollution

Pollution that cannot be tracked to a specific origin or source. It comes from multiple sources and is more challenging to regulate. Examples include agricultural runoff

What’s ‘EVS’?

Worldview that shapes how society views and evaluates environmental issues influenced by: Cultural, Religious, Economic, and Socio-political context.

What does ‘EVS’ stand for?

Environmental Studies

What are the things that influence the way people view environmental issues? (Input)

Education, experience, culture, and media.

What are the things that EVS contains? (Output)

Set of interconnected premises, values, and arguments that generate consistent decisions and evaluations.

What are the 3 EVS?

Ecocentric, Anthropocentric, and Technocentric.

What’s ecocentric viewpoint? (Nature centered)

It puts ecology and nature as central to humanity and emphasizes a less materialistic approach to life with greater self-sufficiency of societies.

What do ‘ecocentrics’ prioritize?

They prioritize rights

What do ‘ecocentrics’ emphasize on?

Importance of education and encourages self-restraint in human behavior.

What are ‘extreme ecocentrics’ also known as?

Deep ecologists

What do ‘Deep Ecologists’ believe in?

Humans are not any more important than any other living species.

What do ‘Deep Ecologist’ believe in?

They believe that everyone should be involved in making decisions for the environment.

What do ‘soft ecologists’ believe in?

They prefer small scale actions, because they believe individuals make a difference rather than large scale profits.

What do ‘Environmental Managers’ believe in?

They believe that the environment could be preserved if managed properly.

what would anthropocentrics suggest to resolve an environmental problem?

Through a debate to reach a consensual, pragmatic approach to solving environmental problems.

What do technocentric deemed necessary for society’s improvement?

Pro-Growth agenda

What are ‘Extreme Technocentrics’ also known as?

Cornucopians

What do ‘Cornucopians’ believe in?

That growth and capitalism is the best way to manage free market economy

What do capitalists believe?

They believe that economic growth is put above all other factors, and this growth is above environmental values.

Who are to blame for environmental degradation in capitalist areas?

Private businesses.

Who are victims of “tragedy of the commons”?

Communist societies.

What happens when no one owns the resource?

No one cares for it.

What’s an ‘Open system’?

%%Matter/ energy%% is able to %%go in and out.%%

What’s ‘Close System’?

%%Matter cannot go in or out%%, but e%%nergy can.%%

What’s ‘Isolated system’?

***does not have a net external force and does not exchange matter or*** energy with its surroundings.

What’s intrinsic value?

A characteristic of a natural system that has an **inherent** worth, irrespective of economic considerations.

Why is intrinsic value valuable?

Because of its cultural value (since its unique).

Ecological values may not have what?

no market price

What’s green politic?

group of people getting together to solve issues and press through politics and discussion (theyre always ecocentric→ theyre looking for sustainable and ecologically society).

Whats an example of green politics in Indonesia?

Partai Keadilan dan Persatuan Indonesia

Does energy change/ transform?

Yes, but it cant ever be destroyed nor created.

What’s an example of energy flow?

Food chain

What’s the 1st law of thermodynamics?

Its the principle of conservative energy, which states that ==energy== ==in== an ==isolated system== ==can be transformed== but ==cannot be created/destroyed.==

What does the 1st law of thermodynamics say about amount of energy in a system?

The ==amount== of energy is ==consistent==, but the f==orm changes.==

What kind of system does ‘ecosystem’ have?

Its an open system (once energy enters it cannot increase)

Why is it crucial for energy to enter?

To keep the flow

Whats the 2nd law of thermodynamics?

Energy is always lost in a system to less useful form.

What is ‘Fat’ considered as?

Since fat will convert to energy, its instant energy.

What’s entropy?

Its the amount of disorder in a system.

What happens to entropy when energy is being used?

Entropy increases as well.

What’s Efficiency?

How much work i can do with the amount energy I have.

**What’s Steady-state equilibrium?**

Maintains a stable system due to constant flow of inputs and outputs.

**What’s Static equilibrium?**

Doesnt apply to natural systems, because no inputs/ outputs so no change occurs.

What does it mean when its ‘Stable’?

Returns to balance after disturbance (ex. rubber)

What does it mean when something is ‘Unstable’?

Achieves new balance after disturbance (ex. car crash → car doesn’t turn to normal)

What happens to a system thats an unstable equilibrium?

It will not return to the original equilibrium and establish a new one.

What do plants need to perform photosynthesis?

Sunlight

What does plants do when its night time?

It adopts a new equilibrium to produce food also known as respiration.

What are the 2 feedback mechanisms which function to maintain the system in its equilibrium state?

Positive and Negative feedback

3 types of systems

Open, Closed, and Isolated system.

System

Its an organized collection of interdependent components that perform a function and which are connected through the transfer of energy/ matter.

Reductionist approach

It looks at individual parts.

Holistic approach

It looks at HOW everything works together.

Creator of Gaia Hypothesis

James Lovelock

Key concept of Gaia hypothesis

Concept of feedback mechanisms.

Transformations

When matter/ energy change FORM/ STATE moving through a system.

What interaction does transformation lead to?

It leads to an interaction within a system in the formation of a new end product or involves a change of state.

Examples of Transformation

* Solar energy to Glucose (Photosynthesis)
* Burning fossil fuels (Matter to energy)
* Water evaporating off the earth’s surface (Matter to Matter)

Transfer

Matter and energy moving through a system WITHOUT changing form or state.

What does transfer usually involve?

A change of location

Examples of transfer

* Movement of materials through a food chain (one animal eats another).
* Movement of materials in a non-living process (water carried to the ocean).
* Movement of energy (ocean current or wind transfer heat).

What’s an example of system diagram?

A model

Purpose of models in science

To show concepts on a scale that is manageable

Benefits of models

1. Simplifies complex systems in order to study them more closely.
2. Allow us to make predictions about future events.
3. Allow us to look at different scenarios so that we can look at the impacts to different changes to the system.
4. Allow us to discuss and consult with other experts.
5. Useful for understanding and explaining phenomena’s.

Possible problems with models

* Models could lose its meaning when its oversimplified.
* Models and predictions depend on the skills and experience of people making them.
* Models could be interpreted differently.
* Different models of same system may predict different outcomes.
* Data may not be accurate so models could be used to manipulate for financial or political gain.

What should systems consist of?

1. Inputs
2. Outputs
3. Storages
4. Flows
5. Processes
6. Feedback mechanisms (Negative and Positive)

Advantages of systems

•Can predict and simplify complex systems

•Bring out patterns

•Simplified versions of real life

•Inputs can be changed and outputs examined without waiting for real events

•Results can be shown to others

Disadvantages of systems

* Lack of detail may not be accurate

•Rely on the expertise of those making it

•Different people may interpret them in different ways

•Vested interests may hijack them politically

•Only as good as the data that goes in

•Different models may show different effects with same data

Biotic

All living things and their interactions

Abiotic

Physical parts of an ecosystem

Trophic level

Where an organism is positioned according to its feeding relationship to other organisms.

Pyramids

It shows the quantitative (number) difference between trophic levels of a single ecosystem.

Pyramids that follow the 2nd law of thermodynamics

1. Pyramids of numbers

2. Pyramids of biomass (storage)

3. Pyramids of productivity (movement)

Pyramids of Numbers

Trophic levels that have more numbers of organisms are at the bottom and fewer at the top.

Pyramids of Biomass

• A measure of the stock (storage) of each trophic level at a specific moment (not over a long period of time).

• Units = Mass (g/m²), Energy (J/m²)

When might the data result in a shape other than a pyramid?

Winter or seasonal changes that significantly reduce the biomass for producers.

Productivity/ flow of energy

• Flow of energy through a specific level over time.

• Units = g/m²/yr or J/m²/yr

Energy Efficiency in Pyramids of Productivity

• Energy transformation never 100% efficient.

• Feces, respiration and heat are ways in which energy is used and not available for the next trophic level. (Not useful anymore).

10% rule

Only 10% of the energy is taken in by the next trophic level.

Species

A group of organisms which can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Population

Group of organisms that are the same species who live in the same area at the same time.

Habitat

Location of a living organism.

Niche

• A position/ role taken by an organism in a community.

• It describes the particular set of abiotic and biotic conditions and resources to which an organism or population responds.

Community

A group of population living and interacting with each other in an area.

Ecosystem

A community and its abiotic environment.

Ecology

Study of relationships between living organisms and their environment.

Parasitism

Parasite benefits, host is harmed.

Mutualism

Both species benefit (symbiotic).

Predation

Hunting of prey by predators.

Herbivory

Consumers eating producers.

Fundamental niche

• Describes the full range of conditions and resources in which a species could survive and reproduce.

• The realized niche describes the actual conditions and resources in which a species exists due to biotic interactions.