topic 1.1: environmental value systems

What is a world view?? Maybe more importantly what is an environmental world view. What is it? This is the "world view" or set of paradigms that shape the ways that individuals and groups approach environmental issues. It can also be viewed as a system as there are inputs and outputs that influence it.
Views vary from people who believe the world has unending resources and humans have unending resourcefulness (Cornucopians) to the ecocentrists who believe we are a part of nature and that we have to change our lifestyles to prevent any further damage to the Earth.
In this unit we will look at the environmental philosophies of an individual, as with that of a community. We will see how these philosophies are shaped by cultural, economic and socio-political context. You should recognize this and appreciate that others may have equally valid viewpoints. You will also justify your own personal viewpoint.
This unit is 3.5 hours.
Significant ideas:
Views vary from people who believe the world has unending resources and humans have unending resourcefulness (Cornucopians) to the ecocentrists who believe we are a part of nature and that we have to change our lifestyles to prevent any further damage to the Earth.
In this unit we will look at the environmental philosophies of an individual, as with that of a community. We will see how these philosophies are shaped by cultural, economic and socio-political context. You should recognize this and appreciate that others may have equally valid viewpoints. You will also justify your own personal viewpoint.
This unit is 3.5 hours.
Significant ideas:
- Historical events, among other influences, affect the development of environmental value systems (EVSs) and environmental movements
- There is a wide spectrum of EVSs, each with its own premises and implication
Big questions
- What value systems can you identify at play in the causes and approaches to resolving the issues addressed in this topic?
- How does your own value system compare with others you have encountered in the context of issues raised in this topic?
Knowledge and Understanding
1.1.U1 Significant historical influences on the development of the environmental movement have come from literature, the media, major environmental disasters, international agreements and technological developments. (Guidance 1: A variety of significant historical influences could be covered, but with a minimum of three in-depth examples. Possible examples could include: James Lovelock’s development of the Gaia hypothesis; Minamata disaster; Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring (1962);, Davis Guggenheim’s documentary An Inconvenient Truth
(2006); Chernobyl disaster of 1986; Fukushima Daiihi nuclear disaster of 2011; whaling; Bhopal disaster of 1984; Gulf of Mexico oil spill of 2010; Chipko movement; Rio Earth Summit 2012 (Rio+20); Earth Day; Green Revolution;
Copenhagen Accord; recent or local events of student interest.)
(Guidance 2: In the range of historical influences selected, it is beneficial to have both local and global examples.)
- Use examples and evidence to justify how historical events such as major environmental disasters, international agreements, literature, the media and technological developments have shaped the development of the environmental movement
- Discuss three key historical influences on the development of the modern environmental movement

Significant historical influences on the development of the environmental movement have come from literature, the media, major environmental disasters, international agreements and technological development.
Consider major landmarks, for example, James Lovelock’s development of the Gaia hypothesis; Minamata disaster; Rachel Carson’s book
Silent Spring (1962);, Davis Guggenheim’s documentary An Inconvenient Truth (2006); Chernobyl disaster of 1986; Fukushima Daiihi nuclear disaster of 2011; Bhopal disaster of 1984; Gulf of Mexico oil spill of 2010; Chipko movement; Rio Earth Summit 2012 (Rio+20); Earth Day; Green Revolution; Copenhagen Accord; recent or local events of student interest., whaling (Save the Whale), First Nation Americans, aka American Indians or Native Americans leading to environmental pressure groups, both local and global, the concept of stewardship and increased media coverage raising public awareness.
Timeline:
Consider major landmarks, for example, James Lovelock’s development of the Gaia hypothesis; Minamata disaster; Rachel Carson’s book
Silent Spring (1962);, Davis Guggenheim’s documentary An Inconvenient Truth (2006); Chernobyl disaster of 1986; Fukushima Daiihi nuclear disaster of 2011; Bhopal disaster of 1984; Gulf of Mexico oil spill of 2010; Chipko movement; Rio Earth Summit 2012 (Rio+20); Earth Day; Green Revolution; Copenhagen Accord; recent or local events of student interest., whaling (Save the Whale), First Nation Americans, aka American Indians or Native Americans leading to environmental pressure groups, both local and global, the concept of stewardship and increased media coverage raising public awareness.
Timeline:
- 1860 - George Washington Carver
- 1903 Charles Young
- 1948: IUCN Founded
- 1952: Great Smog in London kills 4,000, caused by coal burning during cold winter
- 1956: Minamata deaths from mercury pollution in food chain
- 1958: Start of UN Law of the Sea
- 1961: WWF Founded
- 1962: Rachel Carson publishes //Silent Spring//
- 1969: Cuyahoga river catches fire due to ignition of oil and chemical pollution
- 1970 James Lovelock's Gaia Hypothesis
- 1974: CITES started
- 1977: Greenpeace " Save the Whale" campaign
- 1978: Love Canal
- 1979: World Climate Conference raises awareness of climate change
- 1980: World Conservation Strategy; Friends of the Earth begins confrontational protests
- 1984: Bhopal Disaster 3,000-4,000 die due to explosion of pesticide factory in India
- 1986: Chernobyl disaster
- 1991: One million tonnes of crude oil dumped into Persian Gulf at end of Gulf War
- 1992 Rio Earth Summit
- 1997: Kyoto Protocol
- 2004 Wangari Maathai
- 2005: Hurricane Katrina hits US Gulf Coast
- 2006: Al Gore's //An Inconvenient Truth//
- 2007: Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch discovered
- 2010: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
- 2011: Japan- Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster
- 2014 Josephine Mandamin
- 2014 Flint Water Crisis
- 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference
- 2017 Ridhima Pandey
- 2018 Greta Thunberg
- 2018 Autumn Peltier
- 2018 Nina Gualinga
- 2018 Vanessa Nakate
- 2019-2020 Australian Brush Fires
- 2020 Keystone Pipeline
- 2020 David Attenborough
1.1.U2 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. (Guidance: A society is an arbitrary group of individuals who share some common characteristics, such as geographical location, cultural background, historical timeframe, religious perspective, value system and so on.)
- Explain what an environmental value system is and the fact that they will vary between cultures and over time.
- Outline how assumptions, values and beliefs and worldwide views can influence individual value systems
- Discuss how environmental philosophies influence decision-making processes
- Compare and contrast LEDCs and MEDs environmental philosophies

This is a particular world view or set of paradigms that shapes the way an individual or group of people perceive and evaluate environmental issues. This will be influenced by cultural (including religious), economic and socio-political context. An environmental value system is a system in the sense that it has inputs (for example, education, cultural influences, religious doctrine, media) and outputs (for example, decisions, perspectives, courses of action) determined by processing these inputs.
Ecosystems may often cross national boundaries and this may lead to conflict arising from the clash of different value systems about exploitation of resources (for example, ocean fishing and whaling).
Ecosystems may often cross national boundaries and this may lead to conflict arising from the clash of different value systems about exploitation of resources (for example, ocean fishing and whaling).
1.1.U3 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). (Guidance: EVSs are individual; there is no “wrong” EVS.)
- Define "system"
- Explain how an environmental value system is a system
- Understand and explain what the inputs, processes and outputs are in an EVS.
- Define ecological deficit
- Explain how the environment can have its own intrinsic value.
An environmental value system is a system in the sense that it has;
- inputs - education,cultural influences, religious doctrine, media)
- outputs - decisions, perspectives, courses of action determined by processing these inputs.
1.1.U4 There is a spectrum of EVSs, from ecocentric through anthropocentric to technocentric value systems.
- Demonstrate the range and extremes of EVSs:
Range include ecocentric through anthropocentric to technocentric.
Extremes are the deep ecologist and the cornucopian.
- 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 bio-rights, emphasizes the importance of education and encourages self-restraint in human behavior.
- 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
1.1.U5 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 behaviour.
- Identify the core values of self-reliance soft ecologists
- Identify the core values of deep ecologists
- Contrast ecocentrists and technocentric philosophies

This is a holistic worldview that is nature centered and respects the rights of nature. Ecocentrics such as deep ecologists put more value on nature than humanity and believe in biorights. (The right of endangered species or landscape to remain undisturbed). They also wish to have policies to reduce the human impact on the environment which would decrease the population and consume less resources. In summary they believe that:
- The resources are limited so we need to use them carefully
- The Earth is for all species including animals, plants and humans
- There should be minimum disturbance of natural processes
1.1.U6 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.
- Identify the core values of anthropocentric viewpoint
- Contrast ecocentrists and anthropocentric philosophies

Anthropocentrism is a viewpoint/theory that is people centered and gives preferences to human beings above all other considerations. So if you believe that the Earth exists for us, humans and we can rightfully benefit as much as we want from the environment then you are anthropocentric. You would also believe that:
- economic growth and resource use can continue as long as improvements are made in legal rights to a minimum level of environmental quality
- compensation arrangements are made satisfactory for people who experience bad environmental and social effects
1.1.U7 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.
- Identify the core values of technocetic viewpoints
- Contrast ecocentrists and technocentric philosophies
This means that values are centered on technology and this type of view believes that it can provide solutions to all environmental problems. Similar to anthropocentrism, it is a worldview, which conceives that nature is present to benefit human beings.
A technocentric viewpoint argues that technological developments can provide solutions to environmental problems. (technology” does not mean “electronics”; technology means tools, devices and methods (can include electronics). 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 understand how systems can be controlled, manipulated or exchanged to solve resource depletion. A pro-growth agenda is deemed necessary for society’s improvement.
Category includes: Environmental managers and cornucopians (extreme technocentrists)
A technocentric viewpoint argues that technological developments can provide solutions to environmental problems. (technology” does not mean “electronics”; technology means tools, devices and methods (can include electronics). 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 understand how systems can be controlled, manipulated or exchanged to solve resource depletion. A pro-growth agenda is deemed necessary for society’s improvement.
Category includes: Environmental managers and cornucopians (extreme technocentrists)
1.1.U8 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.
Soft ecology: self-sufficiency in resource management. Ecological understand a principle for all aspect of living. Shun large scale profit motives for action, for small-scale community orientated schemes.
Deep ecology: a need for spiritual revolution to fix environmental problems is at the core of all environmental issues. Nature is at the center, equal rights for species. (nature before human)
Environmental managers: 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)
Cornucopians: a perspective that 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)
- Explain how deep ecologists, soft ecologists, environmental managers, and cornucopians fit into this range of value systems
Soft ecology: self-sufficiency in resource management. Ecological understand a principle for all aspect of living. Shun large scale profit motives for action, for small-scale community orientated schemes.
Deep ecology: a need for spiritual revolution to fix environmental problems is at the core of all environmental issues. Nature is at the center, equal rights for species. (nature before human)
Environmental managers: 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)
Cornucopians: a perspective that 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)
1.1.U9 Different EVSs ascribe different intrinsic value to components of the biosphere.
- Describe and give examples of how culture, religion, economic status, education and socio-political background can influence a person’s EVS.
- Identify important aspects of your own life that influence your EVS and describe how they have shaped your personal environmental worldview.
Some people believe that all / some elements of the natural environment have intrinsic value. They should be valued just because they exist. There are a number of countries which have given an equal right to nature in their constitutions, such as Equador and Bolivia. There is also a growing movement to give rivers the right to exist.
Common Native American EVS’s
There are many EVS’s among different tribes so this is a generalization
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
Applications
1.1.A1 Discuss the view that the environment can have its own intrinsic value.
- Define intrinsic value
- Outline how resources can be valued
- Discuss the intrinsic value of two named examples
- Identify the issues with determining the value of natural capital
- State which EVSs attribute intrinsic value
- Outline how different societies have generally different EVSs
Resources can be valued in several ways;
These are examples of resources being valued ¨instrumentally¨.
Resources can also be valued ¨intrinsically¨. This means that a resource is valued for its cultural, esthetic, spiritual or philosophical (moral) value and are valued regardless of their potential use to humans.
Attempts are being made to acknowledge diverse valuations of nature (for example, biodiversity, rate of depletion of natural resources) so that they may be weighed more rigorously against more common economic values (for example, gross national product (GNP)). However, some argue that these valuations are impossible to quantify and price realistically. Not surprisingly, much of the sustainability debate centres on the problem of how to weigh conflicting values in our treatment of natural capital.
- Economic: Having marketable goods and services (timber, food)
- Ecological: Providing life support services (gas exchange by forests)
- Scientific: useful applications (medicines)
These are examples of resources being valued ¨instrumentally¨.
Resources can also be valued ¨intrinsically¨. This means that a resource is valued for its cultural, esthetic, spiritual or philosophical (moral) value and are valued regardless of their potential use to humans.
Attempts are being made to acknowledge diverse valuations of nature (for example, biodiversity, rate of depletion of natural resources) so that they may be weighed more rigorously against more common economic values (for example, gross national product (GNP)). However, some argue that these valuations are impossible to quantify and price realistically. Not surprisingly, much of the sustainability debate centres on the problem of how to weigh conflicting values in our treatment of natural capital.
1.1.A2 Evaluate the implications of two contrasting EVSs in the context of given environmental issues.
- Compare and contrast the environmental value systems of two named societies

The development of environmental movements is often viewed from a very western perspective. We are going to investigate a couple of examples that will help broaden our understanding of how different societies across the world relate to the environment.
The societies chosen should demonstrate significant differences
The societies chosen should demonstrate significant differences
- First Nation Americans and European pioneers operating frontier economics, which involved exploitation of seemingly unlimited resources
- Buddhist and Judaeo‑Christian societies and Communist and capitalist societies.
- see the environment as communal and prior to the arrival of the Europeans in the late 16th century, had a subsistence economy based on barter.
- low-impact technologies and lived in harmony with environment.
- practised an animalistic religion where all things have souls - animals, plants, rocks, mountains, rivers, stars etc.
- created conflict with the colonising Europeans who exploited what they saw as unlimited resources.
Buddhism believed that
Buddhism believe living in balance with nature, therefore they tend to be more ecocentric and have philosophy very similar to that of the deep ecologists. Also Buddhism's vegetarian diet would benefit the environment as well. |
Judaeo-Christian believes that
The philosophy is closer towards anthropocentric (having responsibility to provide better stewardship) or Cornucopians (we can do whatever we want to the planet because God gave it to us) |
Capitalism
|
Communism
|
1.1.A3 Justify, using examples and evidence, how historical influences have shaped the development of the modern environmental movement (Guidance: During the ESS course students should be encouraged to develop their own EVS and to be able to justify their decisions on environmental issues based on their EVSs.)
- Using information from 1.1.U1 you will give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion.
- Summarize the examples and comment on how awareness of a particular environmental issue changed, and to what scale (local, regional, global awareness).
- Describe any changes that occurred, or should have occurred, because of the event. Did people change their habits (or not)? Were new laws passed (or not)?

Reflect upon where you stand on the continuum of environmental philosophies with regard to specific issues arising throughout the syllabus
- population control
- resource exploitation
- sustainable development
- any other ideas you feel important
Key Terms
environmental value system
technocentric anthropocentric ecocentric deep ecologists soft ecologist |
environmental manager
cornucopian biocentric paradigm biorights capitalism |
environmentalism
greenhouse effect socio-political socialism democracy stewardship |
communism
totalitarianism intrinsic value sustainability self-reliance pastoralists |
Classroom Materials
Great American Bison Case Study
What Do You Know About The Environment Activity
Personal Environmental Value Systems worksheet
History of the Environmental Movement Activity
Environmental Value System Perspective
Paper-bag of Values activity
View the videos A through H. Decide where each of them lie on the environmental philosophies continuum presented in 1.1.2.
A. Matt Ridley—The Natural Optimist
B. Going Green—Militant bicyclists and more
C. Rush Limbaugh blasts a Global Warming caller
D. Bjorn Lomborg talks about Al Gore overselling Climate Change
E Taking the Heat - A Silver Lining - Geoengineering a Brighter Cloud
F. Life in a Russian Eco-village
G. 7 Years After An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore May Actually Be Winning
H. Satish Kumar explains the meaning of Deep Ecology
Research a local environmental issue:
Great American Bison Case Study
What Do You Know About The Environment Activity
Personal Environmental Value Systems worksheet
History of the Environmental Movement Activity
Environmental Value System Perspective
Paper-bag of Values activity
View the videos A through H. Decide where each of them lie on the environmental philosophies continuum presented in 1.1.2.
A. Matt Ridley—The Natural Optimist
B. Going Green—Militant bicyclists and more
C. Rush Limbaugh blasts a Global Warming caller
D. Bjorn Lomborg talks about Al Gore overselling Climate Change
E Taking the Heat - A Silver Lining - Geoengineering a Brighter Cloud
F. Life in a Russian Eco-village
G. 7 Years After An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore May Actually Be Winning
H. Satish Kumar explains the meaning of Deep Ecology
Research a local environmental issue:
- Describe the issue
- State arguments of the pressure group
- State opposing arguments to their case
- Consider, economic, aesthetic, socio-political and cultural values
- State your position and defend/justify your argument.
Case Studies
At least three detailed examples of how historical influences have shaped the development of the modern environmental movement (eg. Earth Day, Silent Spring, Chernobyl, Minamata disaster). I recommend four - two events and two individuals
Compare the environmental value systems of two distinctly contrasting societies:
At least three detailed examples of how historical influences have shaped the development of the modern environmental movement (eg. Earth Day, Silent Spring, Chernobyl, Minamata disaster). I recommend four - two events and two individuals
Compare the environmental value systems of two distinctly contrasting societies:
- Communist vs Capitalist
- Buddhist vs Judeo-Christian
Powerpoint and Notes Adapted from Brad Kremer, P Brooks and Ms. McCrindle
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Correct use of terminology is a key skill in ESS. It is essential to use key terms correctly when communicating your understanding, particularly in assessments. Use the quizlet flashcards or other tools such as learn, scatter, space race, speller and test to help you master the vocabulary.
Useful Links
Science Sauce Topic 1 Environmental Value Systems
Science Sauce Topic 1 History of the Environmental Movement
Environmental value systems: Lake Victoria vs Gulf of California - SlideShare
Earth Days - PBS
World Changing
Click the following link to find out more WORLD VILLAGE
In The News
Bee studies stir up pesticide debate, Nature, Cressey, 22 April 2015
The grassroots movement that shut down an Indian copper plant - BBC, 29 May 2018
Straws. Bottle caps. Polyester. These are the new targets of California's environmental movement - LA Times. 28 May 2018
So Japan can't hunt whales any more? That doesn't mean they're safe - Guardian, 24 March 2014
Laws of nature: could UK rivers be given the same rights as people? - Guardian, 7 Jul 2021
TOK:
- EVSs shape the way we perceive the environment—which other value systems shape the way we view the world?
International-Mindedness
- Ecosystems may often cross national boundaries an conflict may arise from the clash of different value systems about exploitation or recourses (for example, migration of wildlife across borders in souther Africa)
Video Clips
Short documentary on the environmental movement (1960-1970)
This video provides visual examples of how we value the world around us in various manners.
Through visually stunning footage from over fifty countries, all shot from an aerial perspective, Yann Arthus–Bertrand shows us a view most of us have never seen. He shares with us his sense of awe about our planet and his concern for its health. With this film, Arthus-Bertrand hopes to provide a stepping-stone to further the call to action to take care of our HOME.
Bruce is shown how to hunt off the land and is invited to be initiated into the tribe. Fascinating culture films from Tribe - BBC worldwide.
Robert J. Smith, Director of the Center for Private Conservation, explains in this short video how the modern environmentalist movement began in America. A celebrated author and environmental historian, Smith shows how the antiwar movement during the 1960s evolved into an anti-capitalism movement that pushed for public stewardship of the environment.
This project illuminates the diverse histories within the environmental movement that are often overlooked, watered-down, or entirely erased. Throughout the video’s progression, friends of IE unpack the vital contributions that Black, Indigenous + people of color have made to the environmental movement.
Conservacion Patagonica, a non-profit organization dedicated to protection of wildland ecosystems and biodiversity in the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina, is working towards the goal of creating Patagonia National Park, a world-class park similar in size to Yosemite National Park in California
Spanning 50 years of grassroots and global activism, this Sundance documentary brings to light the vital stories of the environmental movement where people fought -- and succeeded -- against enormous odds
Photographs do more than document history -- they make it. At TED University, Jonathan Klein of Getty Images shows some of the most iconic, and talks about what happens when a generation sees an image so powerful it can't look away -- or back
A graduate from the UTSC journalism program, Emily Hunter has graced the world stage with her empowering and innovative work as an environmental advocacy journalist, who is constantly reporting throughout the climax of global activist movements
Manvendra Singh Shekhawat's love for carefully preserving cultural heritage and traditions and reframing them in a modern context whilst maximising human potential is uniquely expressed through his experiential hotels. His NGO launched Jaisalmer’s largest conservation and cleanliness campaign in 2013 and he is currently creating an ever-evolving, cross-disciplinary, collaborative, whole-system community for a more productive and personally fulfilling societal model.
On 26 March 1974, people of Himalayan state of Uttarakhand started Chipko movement or Chipko Andolan, through the act of hugging trees to protect them from being felled.