1. 1.1 Environmental Value Systems
Environmental Systems and Society
Mrs. Page
Modified from

2. Topic 1.1 Environmental Value Systems
Knowledge and Understanding:
Significant historical influences on the development of the environmental movement have come from literature, the media, major environmental disasters, international agreements and technological developments. (See Timelines & Influential Events Assignments)
An EVS is a worldview or paradigm that shapes the way an individual, or group of people, perceives and evaluates environmental issues, influenced by cultural, religious, economic and socio-political contexts.
An EVS might be considered as a system in the sense that it may be influenced by education, experience, culture and media (inputs), and involves a set of interrelated premises, values and arguments that can generate consistent decisions and evaluations (outputs).
There is a spectrum of EVSs, from ecocentric through anthropocentric to technocentric value systems.
An ecocentric viewpoint integrates social, spiritual and environmental dimensions into a holistic ideal. It puts ecology and nature as central to humanity and emphasizes a less materialistic approach to life with greater self-sufficiency of societies. An ecocentric viewpoint prioritizes biorights, emphasizes the importance of education and encourages self-restraint in human behavior.

3. Topic 1.1 Environmental Value Systems
Knowledge and Understanding:
An anthropocentric viewpoint argues that humans must sustainably manage the global system. This might be through the use of taxes, environmental regulation and legislation. Debate would be encouraged to reach a consensual, pragmatic approach to solving environmental problems.
A technocentric viewpoint argues that technological developments can provide solutions to environmental problems. This is a consequence of a largely optimistic view of the role humans can play in improving the lot of humanity. Scientific research is encouraged in order to form policies and to understand how systems can be controlled, manipulated or changed to solve resource depletion. A pro-growth agenda is deemed necessary for society’s improvement.
There are extremes at either end of this spectrum (for example, deep ecologists– ecocentric to cornucopian–technocentric), but in practice, EVSs vary greatly depending on cultures and time periods, and they rarely fit simply or perfectly into any classification.
Different EVSs ascribe different intrinsic value to components of the biosphere.

4. Topic 1.1 Environmental Value Systems
Applications and skills:
Discuss the view that the environment can have its own intrinsic value.
Evaluate the implications of two contrasting EVSs in the context of given environmental issues.
Justify, using examples and evidence, how historical influences have shaped the development of the modern environmental movement (See Timelines & Influential Events Assignments)
Theory of knowledge:
EVSs shape the way we perceive the environment—which other value systems shape the way we view the world?

5. Environmental Value System
The “world view” or set of paradigms that shape the ways that individuals and groups approach environmental issues.

6. What is a System? Make a list of “systems”
If you had to come up with 1 definition what would it be?
A set of parts that work together to make the whole function. Generally the whole is more efficient than all the parts.
Can you have systems within systems? Explain.

7. System Diagrams Storages = boxes Flows = arrows
Inputs = things going into the system
Outputs = things coming out of the system
Thinking about your values system – what are the inputs and outputs?
STORAGE
INPUTS
OUTPUTS

8. Inputs and outputs
Inputs: Family, peers, media, religion, education, science, politics, economics
Outputs: Decisions, perspectives, course of action
Draw a system diagram of your EVS

9. Environmental Value Systems
Ecocentric Anthropocentric Technocentric
(Nature Centered) (People Centered) (Technology Centered)
Minimum disturbances People are managers Technology solves
to nature of the Earth problems

10. Ecocentrism Nature Centered
Nature: environmental conservation is central to decision- making
Society: humans are part of nature
Individual responsibility and accountablility
All life has inherent value
We should not cause extinction of other species
We should protect habitats and ecosystems
Humans are not more important than other species
Resources are limited
We need the Earth more than it needs us

11. Anthropocentrism People (humanity) centered
Nature: the environment is a resource for humans to use as needed
Society: human health and well-being are central in decision- making
People as environmental managers of the environment
Governmental regulation; taxes, legislation, regulation
Population control given equal weight to resource use
Humans are the most important species
People living in MEDC’s
(more economically developed countries)
are more likely to hold this view. Why?

12. Technocentrism
Nature: nature is a model, but can be replaced by technology when needed
Society: human health and well-being are central to decision- making
Technology can keep pace with and provide solutions to environmental problems.
We must understand natural processes in order to manage and control these resources
We can solve any problem we cause
Economic growth is a good thing

13. Where do you think you fall?
We all have different influences that affect our views of the world. Based on what you have learned so far, would you classify yourself as a ecocentric, anthropocentric, or technocentric person with regards to the environment? Why?

14. EVS Spectrum
Although we tend to group into 3 main groups there are extremes in the spectrum
We might not fall complete into one category or another but we need to be able to justify our viewpoints with examples (blogs will help with this)

15. Deep Ecologists Extreme Ecocentric
Nature is of more value than humanity
Concerned about the impacts of human life as one part of the ecosphere (humans are not any more important than any other living thing)
Not all natural resources are for human use, humans should consume less
Seek a more holistic view of the world we live in
Believe everyone should be involved in making decisions regarding the environment

16. Self Reliance / Soft Ecologist
Small scale, local community action
Individuals make a difference
Self-sufficiency in resource management
Ecological understand a principle for all aspect of living.
Against large scale profits, prefer small scale/local markets

17. Environmental Managers
The Earth needs tending: Stewardship
Governments legislate and protect the environment
No radical political agenda but promote working to create change within the existing social and political structures
Current economic growth can be sustained if environmental issues are managed by legal means or political agreement.
Believe that the environment can be used if manage properly

18. Cornucopians Extreme Technocentric
The world has infinite resources
This perspective doesn't really see environmental issues as "problems" as humans have always found a way out of difficulties in the past
New resources and technologies will solve any environmental problems as they are encountered.
There is no need for radical agendas, socio-economic or political reform
Don't care for the environment; human come first
Growth and capitalism is the best way to manage the free- market economy

19. Where do you think the following people fall?
Note: If you see a person, idea or quote that resonates with you, you might want to take note so that you can use this information as you justify YOUR OWN Environmental Value System.

20. Chief Seattle
“Every part of the earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every meadow, every humming insect. All are holy in the memory and experience of my people.”

21. Aldo Leapold, 1949
“ A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.”
“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us.  When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”
Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

22. Rachel Carson
“ Like the resource it seeks to protect, wildlife conservation must be dynamic, changing as conditions change, seeking always to become more effective.” "The most alarming of all man's assaults upon the environment is the contamination of air, earth, rivers, and sea with dangerous and even lethal materials. This pollution is for the most part irrecoverable; the chain of evil it initiates not only in the world that must support life but in living tissues is for the most part irreversible. In this now universal contamination of the environment, chemicals are the sinister and little- recognized partners of radiation in changing the very nature of the world—the very nature of its life."

23. James Lovelock – The Gaia Hypothesis
“A billion could live off the earth; 6 billion living as we do is far too many, and you run out of planet in no time.” “ Any species that harms the environment to a point where it threatens its own progeny is doomed and will become extinct...and that's us.”

24. Mahatma Gandhi
“The earth, the air, the land and the water are not am inheritance from our fore fathers but on loan from our children. So we have to handover to them at least as it was handed over to us.”
“There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed.”

25. George W. Bush
"It would be helpful if we opened up ANWR (The Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge – a wilderness reserve). I think it's a mistake not to. And I would urge you all to travel up there and take a look at it and you can make the determination as to how beautiful that country is.” Mar. 29, 2001

26. Barrack Obama
“ One of the things I draw from the Genesis story is the importance of us being good stewards of the land, of this incredible gift. And I think there have been times where we haven’t been [good stewards], and this is one of those times where we’ve got to take the warning seriously [about climate change]. And part of what my religious faith teaches me is to take an intergenerational view, to recognize that we are borrowing this planet from our children and our grandchildren…. We have to find resources in ourselves to make sacrifices so we don’t leave it to the next generation. We’ve got to be less wasteful, both as a society and in our own individual lives … As president, I hope to rally the entire world around the importance of us being good stewards of the land.”
Source: 2008 Democratic Compassion Forum at Messiah College Apr 13, 2008

29. Comparing EVS’s Different societies tend to have different EVS’s
We will look at a few examples to understand more about how the inputs influence value systems

30. Communism & Capitalism in Germany
Communism was viewed as a solution to capitalistic greed and many believed that this would result in more equal distribution of wealth, thereby also decreasing many social issues including environmental damage
1989 Berlin Wall came down
Journalists found that the pollution in Eastern Berlin was much greater than in Western Berlin.
Although the industry of a capitalistic society pollutes, it seems that ex-soviet communism polluted much more!

31. Capitalism and the Environment
Economic growth is put above all other factors, and in many cases, this growth comes above environmental values.
Private businesses in these societies are mostly to blame for the environmental degradation in these areas.

32. Communism and the Environment
Even though communist societies are meant to distribute wealth evenly, most of these countries are victims of the term “tragedy of the commons”.
Tragedy of the commons: “a situation where individuals acting independently and rationally according to each's self- interest behave contrary to the best interests of the whole group by depleting some common resource.” Wikipedia
When no one owns the resource, no one takes care of it.

33. Summary of Capitalistic & Communistic EVS
They both have different economical principles that also tie back to their environmental values.
Capitalism is heavily based in private businesses, and socialism is based in government-owned businesses.
In terms of environmental values, capitalism allows for free speech and greater environmental awareness than communism in most cases.
Communism and capitalism also find it difficult to restrict environmental abuse because both emphasize short-term efficiency and profits while ignoring long-term costs of environmental degradation.

34. Common Native American EVS’s There are many EVS’s among different tribes so this is a generalization
Tendency to live in communities and share property
Subsistent economy based on trade
Low impact technology
Tribal law requires agreement based on consensus
Laws are passed down by oral tradition
Most tribes have a matrilineal (mothers) descent, extended families, and small population densities
Most tribes are polytheistic and animals, plants, and nature are often regarded as objects with spirituality

35. Christianity and Islam EVS’s
Together these 2 religions have over 3.6 billion followers
Similarities in beliefs:
Separation of spirit and matter (body and soul)
God is the creator of the world and universe.
Idea of “dominion” over the Earth
“Replenish the Earth , and subdue it, and have dominion over it”- Genesis
“Earth (and its bounty) have been given to humans for their subsistence” – Quran
Christianity – Earth has been “gifted” to humans as caretakers, not rulers
Islam – Animal world is a community equal to the human one
3rd pillar of Islam – charity, humans are trustees

36. Buddhism’s EVS
To live in harmony with nature is a crucial Buddhist practice.
Every living thing in the world is dependent on each other
Humans are no more important than other living things.
The Buddha manifested a complete compassion and is respectfully seen as the compassionate protector of all beings.
Buddha taught that for those who wishes to follow his Path should practice loving-kindness, not to harm the life of all beings - not only to protect mankind, but also to protect animals and vegetation.

37. Similarities Between Christianity, Islam, & Buddhism
All religions have a respect towards nature.
Christianity & Islam states that one must have a proper relationship with the Creator and the rest of the Creation (nature).
Christianity and Islam have an aspect of humans being stewards of the land.
Buddhist society states that a person needs to be in harmony with nature in order to be in harmony with himself.
They recognize it is not theirs to ruin and that the nature and earth was there before humans. It is all about respect and appropriate use.

38. Differences Between Christianity, Islam, & Buddhism
In Christianity & Islam, God created nature, therefore we as humans, have the obligation to respect, protect, and not harm the nature.
In Buddhism, one has to be responsible for one’s actions. What we do to nature, it will reflect to ourselves.
The origins and reasons are different. In Christianity and Islam the aim is to please God. Buddhists respect and follow the teachings of Buddha.