TOPIC 1:
FOUNDATIONS OF
ENVIRONMENTAL
SYSTEMS AND
SOCIETIES
, ESS TOPIC 1: FOUNDATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS AND SOCIETIES
1. Environmental value systems
KEY CONCEPT → Environmental value system: a particular worldview or set of paradigms that
shapes the way individuals or societies perceive and evaluate their environmental issues.
Historical influences on the modern environmental movement
YR/WHO WHAT SIGNIFICANCE
1962 - Silent Book about the problems She was referred as an alarmist but continued to speak out
Spring by of pesticides in agriculture → gained public attention and this led to the ban of DDT and
Rachel Carson the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency
1975 - Save the First anti-whaling The pictures taken shocked the world, and after a decade of
Whales by campaign with direct pressure, the International Whaling Commission was
Greenpeace action against the Soviet created
ships
1984 - Bhopal A serious gas leaked a 500,000 people were exposed to methyl isocyanate, 25,000
Disaster pesticide factory in India deaths. Since this, the pesticide industry is in pressure
1986 - Nuclear explosion 350,000 evacuated, 900,000 premature cancer deaths.
Chernobyl Concerns about the safety of nuclear power. The buildings
of new nuclear plants was stopped or slowed
2006 - An Film promoted by US Vice Information about global warming that raised awareness.
inconvenient President Al Gore The film was supplied to schools and colleges
truth
2010 - Oil poured out in the Gulf A report concluded that reforms were needed. Images
Deepwater of Mexico. Extensive became viral and this raised awareness about the oil
Horizon oil spill damage to wildlife industry
ecosystems
2011 - Damage of Fukushima 24-hour news bulletins watched by millions of people →
Fukushima nuclear station influence of the media on raising awareness
An outline of the range of environmental philosophies
Ecocentrism (nature centred)
- Minimum disturbance of natural process
- Integration of spiritual, social and environmental dimensions
- Sustainability for the whole Earth
- Self-reliant communities within a framework of global citizenship
Anthropocentrism (people-centered)
- People as environmental managers of sustainable global systems
- Population control given equal weight to resource use
- Strong regulation by independent authorities required
FOUNDATIONS OF
ENVIRONMENTAL
SYSTEMS AND
SOCIETIES
, ESS TOPIC 1: FOUNDATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS AND SOCIETIES
1. Environmental value systems
KEY CONCEPT → Environmental value system: a particular worldview or set of paradigms that
shapes the way individuals or societies perceive and evaluate their environmental issues.
Historical influences on the modern environmental movement
YR/WHO WHAT SIGNIFICANCE
1962 - Silent Book about the problems She was referred as an alarmist but continued to speak out
Spring by of pesticides in agriculture → gained public attention and this led to the ban of DDT and
Rachel Carson the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency
1975 - Save the First anti-whaling The pictures taken shocked the world, and after a decade of
Whales by campaign with direct pressure, the International Whaling Commission was
Greenpeace action against the Soviet created
ships
1984 - Bhopal A serious gas leaked a 500,000 people were exposed to methyl isocyanate, 25,000
Disaster pesticide factory in India deaths. Since this, the pesticide industry is in pressure
1986 - Nuclear explosion 350,000 evacuated, 900,000 premature cancer deaths.
Chernobyl Concerns about the safety of nuclear power. The buildings
of new nuclear plants was stopped or slowed
2006 - An Film promoted by US Vice Information about global warming that raised awareness.
inconvenient President Al Gore The film was supplied to schools and colleges
truth
2010 - Oil poured out in the Gulf A report concluded that reforms were needed. Images
Deepwater of Mexico. Extensive became viral and this raised awareness about the oil
Horizon oil spill damage to wildlife industry
ecosystems
2011 - Damage of Fukushima 24-hour news bulletins watched by millions of people →
Fukushima nuclear station influence of the media on raising awareness
An outline of the range of environmental philosophies
Ecocentrism (nature centred)
- Minimum disturbance of natural process
- Integration of spiritual, social and environmental dimensions
- Sustainability for the whole Earth
- Self-reliant communities within a framework of global citizenship
Anthropocentrism (people-centered)
- People as environmental managers of sustainable global systems
- Population control given equal weight to resource use
- Strong regulation by independent authorities required
