Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes an environmental value system (EVS)?
Which of the following best describes an environmental value system (EVS)?
What are considered inputs to an environmental value system (EVS)?
What are considered inputs to an environmental value system (EVS)?
Which of the following statements aligns with ecocentrism?
Which of the following statements aligns with ecocentrism?
What perspective best describes anthropocentrism?
What perspective best describes anthropocentrism?
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Which of the following outputs is NOT typically associated with environmental value systems (EVS)?
Which of the following outputs is NOT typically associated with environmental value systems (EVS)?
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Which of the following statements do Cornucopians believe?
Which of the following statements do Cornucopians believe?
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What does the first law of thermodynamics state?
What does the first law of thermodynamics state?
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Which value is emphasized by ecocentrism?
Which value is emphasized by ecocentrism?
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Which of the following describes entropy?
Which of the following describes entropy?
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What characterizes a steady-state system?
What characterizes a steady-state system?
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What is a common belief among deep ecologists?
What is a common belief among deep ecologists?
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Which statement best defines an unstable equilibrium?
Which statement best defines an unstable equilibrium?
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How can models be manipulated in societal contexts?
How can models be manipulated in societal contexts?
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What effect does increasing entropy have on a system?
What effect does increasing entropy have on a system?
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What distinguishes a static equilibrium from a steady-state equilibrium?
What distinguishes a static equilibrium from a steady-state equilibrium?
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How can models impact the interpretation of scientific data?
How can models impact the interpretation of scientific data?
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Which of the following describes primary pollutants?
Which of the following describes primary pollutants?
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What distinguishes point-source pollution from non-point source pollution?
What distinguishes point-source pollution from non-point source pollution?
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Which of the following pollutants is considered a persistent organic pollutant (POP)?
Which of the following pollutants is considered a persistent organic pollutant (POP)?
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Which of the following characteristics is NOT associated with persistent organic pollutants?
Which of the following characteristics is NOT associated with persistent organic pollutants?
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What type of pollution is likely to cause significant harm immediately upon release?
What type of pollution is likely to cause significant harm immediately upon release?
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Which statement about biodegradable pollutants is TRUE?
Which statement about biodegradable pollutants is TRUE?
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Which of the following is an example of chronic pollution?
Which of the following is an example of chronic pollution?
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What is a significant consequence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs)?
What is a significant consequence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs)?
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Study Notes
Environmental Value Systems (EVS)
- An EVS is a worldview or paradigm that shapes how individuals or groups perceive and evaluate environmental issues
- Influenced by cultural, religious, economic, and socio-political contexts
- Considered a system because it has inputs and outputs
- Inputs include family, peers, media, religion, education, and politics
- Outputs include course of action, perspectives, and decisions
The EVS Spectrum
-
Ecocentric (nature-centered): Integrates social, spiritual, and environmental dimensions into a holistic ideal
- Places ecology and nature as central to humanity
- Emphasizes less materialism and greater self-sufficiency in societies
- Beliefs include environmental conservation as central to decision making, humans as part of nature, and individual responsibility/accountability
- Advocates against species extinction and habitat/ecosystem protection
-
Anthropocentric (human-centric): Humans are the managers of Earth
- Humans must sustainably manage the global system
- Considers the environment as a resource for humans
- Focus on human health and well-being as central to decisions
- Emphasizes population control and resource use
-
Technocentric (technology-centric): Technology can solve environmental problems
- Focus on technological developments to solve problems related to human needs
- Optimistic view of human role in environmental improvement
- Nature is a model that can be improved upon by technology
- Solutions to environmental problems through technological developments, and beliefs include the idea that technology can keep pace with environmental problems
Important Events in the Environmental Movement
- Silent Spring (Rachel Carson): Book that criticized the use of pesticides like DDT
- An Inconvenient Truth (Al Gore): Documentary that raised awareness on climate change
Systems and Models
- A system is a collection of interdependent parts that perform a function and are connected through the transfer of energy or matter
- A systems approach visualizes interactions within a system
- Systems are composed of storages and flows
- Flows are processes that include transfers or transformations, input or output of energy and matter
- Models are simplified versions of reality that help understand how a system works and predict its responses to change
Types of Systems
- Open system: Exchanges both matter and energy with its surroundings
- Closed system: Exchanges energy but not matter with its surroundings
- Isolated system: Exchanges neither matter nor energy with its surroundings
Energy and Equilibria
- Energy in all systems is subject to the laws of thermodynamics
- First Law: Energy is neither created nor destroyed
- Second Law: Entropy in an isolated system increases over time
- Entropy is the measure of disorder in a system
- Equilibrium is when a system tends to return to its original state after disturbance
Resilience
- Resilience is the ability of a system to return to its initial state after a disturbance
- Factors affecting ecosystem resilience:
- Biodiversity
- Genetic diversity
- Ecosystem size
- Reproduction rates
Sustainability
- Sustainability is the use and management of resources to enable the full replacement of resources and recovery of affected ecosystems
- Natural capital: natural resources that can create a sustainable income (renewable/replenishable/non-renewable)
- Natural income: the yield from natural resources
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)
- Assess environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project
- Purpose: To help decision-making, promote sustainable development, and provide a documented method
- Process: Screening, scoping, impact analysis, mitigation, evaluation of significance, preparation of an EIS, review of EIS, decision-making, monitoring and review
Criticisms of EIAs
- Lack of standard practice/training
- Insufficient definition of system boundaries
- Often overlook indirect impacts
Ecological Footprint
- Ecological footprint (EF) is the area of land and water needed to sustainably provide resources for a given population
- If EF is greater than the area available, it shows unsustainability
Pollution
- Pollution is the addition of substances or agents to an environment faster than the environment can process them
Types of Pollutants
- Primary pollutants: active on emission
- Secondary pollutants: formed from physical or chemical changes to primary pollutants
- Point source pollution: clear, easily identifiable source
- Non-point source pollution: dispersed, difficult to identify the source
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Description
This quiz explores the concept of Environmental Value Systems (EVS), examining how worldviews shaped by cultural, religious, and socio-political contexts influence environmental decisions. It covers the spectrum from ecocentric to anthropocentric ideologies, highlighting key beliefs and the impact of these systems on society and the environment.
