DP Environmental systems and societies

Topic 7 Environmental value systems

EVS TOK PPT

Environmental value systems

An environmental value system is a particular worldview or set of paradigms that shapes the way an individual, or group of people, perceive and evaluate

environmental issues.

Historical moments in the environmental movement (inputs)

1956

• Minimata disaster – bioaccumulation of mercury in seafood

1962

• Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring documenting the effects of pesticides

1985

• Bhopal disaster killing up to 25,000Video 1Video 2

1970s

• Greenpeace campaigns - save the whale- anti-nuclear testing

1986

• Chernobyl disaster causing resettlement of over 300,000

EVS of various societies

First Nation

Americans vs

European pioneers

Buddhist

vs Judaeo-Christian

societies

Communis

t vs

Capitalist

societies

1. First nation Americans vs European pioneers

Environment communal

Subsistence economy based on barter

Low-impact technology

Animistic religion – animals, plants, rocks etc all have soul

Exploitation of seemingly unlimited resources

Environmental degradation through over-population

Disconnected with environment

Heavy industry and advanced technology

2. Communist vs Capitalist socieitesEqual distribution of resources with no profit led to squandering of resources destroying the environment

Government protected farmers unintentionally benefiting parts of the environment

Seen as more environmentally friendly as resources are used efficiently to maximize profit

Unions protected industry damaging the environment

Civil liberties and democracy used in protecting the environment

3. Buddhist vs Judaeo-Christian societies

Separation of body and soul, matter and spirit

Genesis – domination or stewardship or the Earth?

Ecofeminism – nurture rather than conquer

World is all co-dependent

Birth, ageing, suffering, death all conjoined

Humans not autonomous or more important than the Earth

Your personal view

Behaviour

Habit Cost-benefit

analysisAbility to act

Personal Characteristics

Social influences

Emotions

Appraisals of situation

Other issues to think about

• Greenwash• Emotionalism• Chernobyl videos• The Cove video

Case studies

• Cost benefit analysis• External costs• Land ethic• Unsustainable frontier ethic• Mine restoration