SUB-TOPIC 1.1 ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE SYSTEMSSUB-TOPIC 1.2 SYSTEMS AND MODELS

1.1 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 implications

Sub Topic 1.1 Applications and skills

1. Define environmental value system in a general application (not one specific system)

2. Discuss the view that environment can have its own intrinsic value

3. Evaluate the implications of two contrasting EVSs in the context of given environmental issues

4. Justify, using examples and evidence, how historical influences have shaped the development of the modern environmental movement

Take Note: What prior knowledge will help with this topic?What questions do you have?Text resource Chapter 1 and 2 pages 7 - 26

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.

WHAT ARE THE HISTORIC INFLUENCES?

LiteratureThe MediaMajor Environmental disastersInternational agreements Technological developments

SAND COUNTYALMANAC - 1949

Book by Aldo Leopold

USA

described relationship between people and the land

landmark in conservation movement

inspired people to protect the natural resources for their own sake (not just economic benefits)

MINIMATA - 1956

Japan

Disease caused by mercury poisoning from factory polluting the bay

Bioaccumulation & biomagnification

Demonstrated link between human health and pollution

SILENTSPRING - 1962

Book by Rachel Carson

USA

showed link between pesticide use and ecosystem health

raised awareness of Americans

beginning of the end: DDT

LOVE CANAL 1976-1978

Niagara Falls, NY

School built on former toxic waste dump

Dangers denied for a long time

Only came clear after grass-roots activism

3-MILE ISLAND 1979

Pennsylvania, USA

Near meltdown of nuclear power plant

Decrease in belief of safety of nuclear energy industry

Lead to heavy regulation of nuclear industry

BHOPAL 1984

Union Carbide plant in India

Gas leak at night killed 1,000’s of people

Union Carbide escaped criminal penalties

brought about realization that ‘ugly’ side of industrialization happens in impoverished areas

CHERNOBYL 1986

Ukraine (USSR then)

worst nuclear disaster

complete meltdown released radioactive waste over Europe

Resettlement of 300,000

demonstrated that environmental issues are not national issues

SAVETHE WHALES 1986

Green Peace Campaign

global, but Japan, Iceland, & Norway are flash points

commercial whaling ban to reduce the number killed annually

showed international cooperation can achieve something

still has weaknesses - voluntary

LOCAL EXAMPLES

Unsustainable Frontier EthicOil Field Development and Transportation

(oil trains vs pipeline)Salish Kootenai Ownership of Kerr DamOther?

SYSTEMS AND MODELS 1.2

Sub Topic 1.2 - Applications and skills Pre Post1. Construct a system diagram or model from a given set of

information

1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4

1. Evaluate the use of models as a tool in a given situation, for example, climate change predictions.

1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4

Sub-topic 1.2 – Systems and modelsSignificant Ideas –•A systems approach can help in the study of complex environmental issues. •The use of systems and models simplifies interactions but may provide a more holistic view without reducing issues to single processes.

SYSTEMS AND MODELS 1.2

SYSTEMS APPROACH:

A way of visualizing a complex set of interactions which may be ecological or societal

Many different scales (microscopic to planetary) Interactions produce the properties of the systemAn assemblage of parts, working together,

forming a functioning whole

ALL SYSTEMS HAVE…

All systems have… Represented by…

STORAGES: stores of matter or energy A box

FLOWS: into, through, and out of the system

Arrows

INPUTS Arrows in

OUTPUTS Arrows out

BOUNDARIES Lines

PROCESSES: which transfer or transform energy or matter from storage to storage

Equations or descriptions: ex. Respiration, diffusion

EVS AS A SYSTEM

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

DECISIONS, RESPONSES, COURSE OF ACTION?(OUTPUTS)

These are dependent upon the EVSWe know a wide variety existsSpectrum…. Where do you fall?

Montana? USA?

EVS of various societies

First Nation

Americans vs

European

pioneers

Buddhist vs Judaeo-

Christian

societies

Communi

st vs

Capitalis

t

socie

ties

ASSIGNMENT: TWO CLASSROOM DAYS TO WORK DUE 9/15

Create an essay, or presentation, or power point... the choice is yours. Requirements:

Compare and Contrast the environmental value systems between two societies.

Examples:Buddhist and Christian societiesEarly Swahili and Early Colonial societiesAmerican Indians and European pioneers

Hint: Start by thinking about very different societies. Then look at the similarities.

We will access the documents for this assignment via Google Classroom

SOME GENERAL EXAMPLES.

The following slides will give you an idea of what to look at, however, your research should be focused more specifically…

Instead of Buddhist vs. Judeo Christian choose specific countries of groups that primarily follow the tenets

Consider specific Native American tribes (north or south America)

Specific countries

Also consider time period historic vs modern era

1. First nation Americans vs European pioneers

Environment communalSubsistence economy based on barterLow-impact technologyAnimistic religion – animals, plants, rocks etc all have soul

Exploitation of seemingly unlimited resourcesEnvironmental degradation through over-populationDisconnected with environmentHeavy industry and advanced technology

2. Communist vs Capitalist socieites

Equal distribution of resources with no profit led to squandering of resources destroying the environmentGovernment protected farmers unintentionally benefiting parts of the environment

Seen as more environmentally friendly as resources are used efficiently to maximize profitUnions protected industry damaging the environmentCivil liberties and democracy used in protecting the environment

3. Buddhist vs Judaeo-Christian societies

Separation of body and soul, matter and spiritGenesis – domination or stewardship or the Earth?Ecofeminism – nurture rather than conquer

World is all co-dependentBirth, ageing, suffering, death all conjoinedHumans not autonomous or more important than the Earth

CONSIDER IMPACT ON SPECIFIC ISSUE

How did/do these societies perceive and deal with:Air pollution from cars

Water pollution from factories

Deforestation

Nuclear power

MLA WORK CITED

Fountain, Henry. "Chernobyl: Capping a Catastrophe." The New York Times. The New York Times, 27 Apr. 2014. Web. 7 Sept. 2015.

Chang, Louis W. and Guo, Grace L. Minamata Disease: Congenital Methylmercury Poisoning Elsevier 

"Minamata Disease." » Sustainability » Boston University. Boston Univeristy, 2010. Web. 7 Sept. 2015.