Environmental Values Systems IB ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS

This semester, we’re going to talk about ‘the environment’ what is that? What is included? What is excluded? What is your opinion of ‘the environment’? How do other people in your home/community/state/nation/world view the environment? Is there a point to studying the environment? (let’s hope so ) WHY should we study it?

The environment has value… but how much?? What does that mean? What is the value of the environment? Intrinsic/extrinsic value? What do you think? What’s your world view? How is your world view influenced?

Inputs Media Religion Science Education Politics Culture Outputs Decisions Perspective Course of Action

How do these philosophies influence decision making? Individually In your family In the community In the US Etc…

Environmental attitudes questionnaire: Think about whether you agree or disagree… 1.Humans are part of nature 2.Humans are to blame for all the world’s environmental problems 3.We depend on the environment for our resources (food, water, fuel) 4.Nomadic and indigenous peoples live in balance with their environment 5.Traditional farming methods do not damage the environment 6.Nature will make good any damage that humans do to the Earth 7.Humans have every right to use all resources on the planet 8.Technology will solve our energy crisis 9.We have passed the tipping on climate change and th Earth is warming up and we cannot stop it 10.Animals and plants have as much right to live on Earth as humans 11.Looking at a beautiful view is not as important as economic progress 12.Species have always become extinct on Earth and so it does not matter that humans are causing extinction.

There are varying ideologies Ecocentrism (Nature centered) Anthropocentricism (people centered) Technocentrism (technology centered) Its really a continuum. Where do you fall? Where does Cumberland County fall (in your opinion)? Where does the US fall? Canada? Europe? Asia? Africa? Let’s look at some case studies of different ideologies

years ago—Neolithic Agricultural Revolution manage local resources 1800ish—Industrial Revolution human population & resource usage growth SIGNIFICANT conservationists few conservationists spoke about loss of “wilderness” most figured the world contained an infinite supply of resources s—Green Revolution mechanized agriculture  more food produced burning fossil fuels, fertilizer and pesticide use rose sharply As a result…collapsing fish stocks, endangered species, pesticide poisoning, deforestation, nuclear waste, ozone layer depletion, global warming, acid precipitation 1970s—Shift in philosophy 1980s—focus on sustainability 1990s—global warming & global economies 2000s—Climate change, time for action? Timeline of Modern Environmental Movement…

For Monday, compare and contrast two specific societies. Here are some ideas… or choose your own! Buddhist and Judaeo-Christian Societies First Nation Americans and European pioneers operating frontier economics Communist and capitalist societies AND YOU!! (what is your personal viewpoint)

Historical Influences on current movement… Let’s read about some specific events that have shaped the current Environmental Movement