Lecture Notes: IBESS Topic 1.1 - Environmental Value Systems

Overview

• Part of IBESS Topic 1: Foundations of Environmental Systems and Societies.
• Significant ideas:
  1. Historical events influence the development of environmental value systems (EVS) and movements.
  2. Various EVSs exist, each with unique premises and implications.

Systems Defined

• System: A set of connected parts working together as a complex whole (e.g., trees, butterflies).
• Types of systems:
  • Open System: Both energy and matter exchange.
  • Closed System: Only energy exchange.
  • Isolated System: No exchange of energy or matter.

Environmental Value Systems (EVS)

• EVS: A worldview shaping perceptions and evaluations of environmental issues, influenced by culture, religion, economics, and politics.
• Inputs into EVS: Education, culture, media.
• Outputs: Decisions and evaluations.
• Example: Jane Goodall’s inputs (experiences) led to founding conservation projects.

Historical Influences on Environmental Movements

• Influences: Literature, media, environmental disasters, agreements, technological developments.
• Historical Examples:
  • Ancient Rome: Concerns about pollution.
  • Terrace farming: Soil conservation efforts in ancient China, India, Peru.
  • 1960s Movement: Sparked by Rachel Carson’s "Silent Spring" on DDT and biomagnification.
• Key Influences:
  • Pressure Groups: Greenpeace.
  • Corporate Role: Influence on environmental movements.
  • Government Initiatives: E.g., Costa Rica’s renewable energy goals.
  • International Influence: UN policies.
  • Prominent Individuals: Al Gore’s "An Inconvenient Truth".

Major Environmental Disasters

• Bhopal Disaster (1984): Pesticide release, massive casualties.
• Chernobyl Disaster (1986): Nuclear meltdown, widespread radiation.
• Fukushima (2011): Triggered anti-nuclear demonstrations.

Types of Environmental Value Systems

• Ecocentric:
  • Integrates social, spiritual, environmental dimensions.
  • Nature and ecology central to humanity.
  • Emphasizes bio-rights, education, self-restraint.
• Anthropocentric:
  • Focus on sustainable management.
  • Use of taxes, regulations for pragmatic solutions.
• Technocentric:
  • Technology as a solution to environmental issues.
  • Pro-growth agenda for societal improvement.
  • Example: Edible drones by Windhorse Aerospace.
• Spectrum Extremes:
  • Deep Ecologists: Bio-rights, nature over humanity.
  • Cornucopians: Infinite resources belief.

Evaluating Environmental Issues

• Implications of EVSs on issues like climate change and biodiversity:
  • Ecocentric: Preserve biodiversity, reduce climate change.
  • Anthropocentric: Sustainable resource management.
  • Technocentric: Technological substitutes (e.g., robotic bees).
• Worldviews:
  • Buddhists: All life interconnected.
  • Judeo-Christian: Mastery and stewardship.
  • Islam: Earth as a gift, community equality.
  • Native American: Low impact, spiritual respect for nature.

Conclusion

• Understanding EVSs requires examination of historical events, different worldviews, and their implications.
• Recognize spectrum from ecocentric to technocentric.
• Be prepared to evaluate contrasting EVSs in given environmental issues.

Slides and images by Dr. Nina Markham, sources from Creative Commons. Additional resources include the IBESS textbook.

End of IBESS Topic 1.1 Lecture Notes.