ESS_NOTES_intro_and_water

Environmental Value Systems (EVS)

Types of EVS

• Ecocentric

  • Emphasizes environmental concerns

  • Integrates social, spiritual, and environmental dimensions

  • Favors a holistic view and less materialism

• Technocentric

  • Belief that technology can solve environmental issues

  • Optimistic view of human role in improving conditions

• Anthropogenic

  • Centers humans in environmental management

  • Advocates for regulation and sustainable management

• Cornucopian

  • Believes human ingenuity can overcome environmental challenges

Factors Influencing EVS

• Cultural Values

  • High value on nature leads to ecocentric views

• Religious Beliefs

  • Some religions deify organisms, leading to ecocentrism

• Economic Status

  • Wealthy societies lean towards technocentric/anthropocentric views

• Historical Experiences

  • Past environmental disasters may shift values towards ecocentric

Changes in EVS Over Time

Society Development and EVS Shift

• Development often leads to disconnection from nature

• Increased awareness of negative impacts influences value systems

Stages of Development

1. Early Stages

• High dependence on the environment, may lead to ecocentric values

• Indigenous groups often reflect ecocentric principles

• Overabundance of resources can lead to cornucopian views

2. Mid-Demographic Stages

• Increased agricultural and industrial development promotes technocentric values

• Economic growth prioritized over environmental concerns

3. Later Stages

• Awareness of environmental damage boosts ecocentric values

• Shift towards more sustainable, local developments

Types of Systems

• Open Systems

  • Exchange of matter and energy with surroundings (e.g., ecosystems)

• Close Systems

  • Energy exchanges, not matter

• Isolated Systems

  • Neither energy nor matter exchanged, very rare in nature

The Biosphere

• Definition

  • Living world interacting with abiotic environments

  • Includes atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere

• Key Interaction

  • Hydrocarbons and oxygen contribute to complex interactions

  • Gaia Theory emphasizes the interdependence of life and the planet

Water Systems Overview

Hydrosphere

• Includes all water on Earth: oceans, rivers, lakes, groundwater, glaciers

Water Distribution

• Saline Water: 97% of Earth's water in oceans

• Freshwater: 3%, mainly in glaciers and groundwater

Hydrological Cycle

• Key Processes

  • Evaporation, Transpiration, Condensation, Precipitation, Infiltration, Runoff

• Water Storage

  • Atmosphere, Oceans, Ice Caps, Groundwater, Surface Water, Soil Moisture, Biota

Human Impact on Water Cycle

• Urbanization increases runoff, decreasing infiltration

• Deforestation reduces transpiration and increases runoff

• Agriculture alters evaporation patterns

• Climate Change affects precipitation and evaporation rates

• Over-extraction depletes aquifers

Water Scarcity

Types

• Physical Water Scarcity: Not enough water to meet demand

• Economic Water Scarcity: Adequate water, but lack of infrastructure

Managing Water Demand

• Conservation strategies, recycling, desalination, water transfer schemes

Sustainable Water Management

• Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) promotes coordinated water management

• Prioritizes ecosystem sustainability while maximizing social and economic benefits

Dams and Reservoirs

• Provide water supply and produce hydroelectric power

• Environmental philosophies tied to their construction and impact

Desalination

• Definition: The process of removing salt from seawater

• Methods: Reverse osmosis, thermal desalination

• Advantages: Reliable supply for water-scarce regions

• Disadvantages: High costs, environmental concerns, brine disposal impacts

Wetlands and Rainwater Catchment

Wetlands

• Purify water, provide habitats, and reduce flood impact

• Restoration can be rapid but may require space in developed areas

Rainwater Catchment Systems

• Collection methods from roofs or deep pits

• Offers self-sufficiency and sustainable practices but can be weather-dependent

The Impact of Deforestation on Water Cycle

• Effects: Increased runoff, erosion, flooding, reduced groundwater recharge

• Significant deforestation drivers and implications on hydrological processes

Agricultural Impacts on the Hydrological Cycle

• Evapotranspiration changes due to irrigation and crop management

• Potential for both positive filtration and negative runoff effects

Aquaculture and Marine Protected Areas

Aquaculture

• Farmed aquatic organisms support food supply but also raise environmental concerns

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

• Protect vital marine ecosystems, restore populations, and prevent overexploitation

• Importance of mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs for ecosystem health definitions and management principles.

Environmental Value Systems (EVS) and its Impact on Water Scarcity

Impact of EVS on Water ScarcityDifferent Environmental Value Systems can greatly influence how societies perceive and manage water resources, ultimately affecting water scarcity:

• Ecocentric Views: Often prioritize sustainable practices and awareness of ecosystem interdependencies, leading to conservation efforts that help mitigate water scarcity.

• Technocentric Perspectives: May encourage the development of technologies to manage and supply water resources efficiently, but could also lead to over-extraction and reliance on infrastructure that may not address the fundamental issues of scarcity.

• Anthropocentric Attitudes: Focus primarily on human needs, often at the expense of natural systems, which can exacerbate water scarcity through unsustainable practices.

• Cornucopian Beliefs: Maintain a faith in human ingenuity to resolve water scarcity, potentially overlooking the necessity of conservation and sustainable practices that protect water resources.

In summary, the guiding values within EVS shape the approaches taken towards water management, directly impacting the availability and sustainability of water resources, thus influencing water scarcity.