IB ESS Environmental Value Systems

IB Environmental Systems and Societies p. 1
Topic 1: Foundations of environmental systems and societies (16 hours)
1.1 Environmental Value Systems
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.
Knowledge & Understanding: Use these notes to familiarize yourself with ESS terminology and concepts.
1.1.1 Significant historical influences
on the development of the
environmental movement have come
from literature, the media, major
environmental disasters,
international agreements and
technological developments.
List and identify one source for each.
• literature:
• the media:
• environmental disasters:
• international agreements:
• technological developments:
1.1.2 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.
Sample Issue: An LEDC’s decision to reduce birth rate to combat the problem of OVERPOPULATION. A campaign to provide greater
funding to educate girls up through the university level is organized along with free health clinics to provide education and access
to birth control where needed.
Describe how each context below could influence people's’ perception on this sample issue and the way it is being addressed.
Provide an example for each context.
Cultural: An agrarian society (farming) has historically preferred larger families, to help with the daily work of farming a large plot
of land. Therefore, they would likely be against reducing the birthrate.
Religious:
Economic:
Sociopolitical:
Original Source: International School of Prague https://sites.google.com/site/environmentalsystemssocieties/home
Modified by Brad Kremer, May 2017

1.1.3 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).
Draw and annotate a systems diagram of the technocentric EVS with inputs and outputs in the space below.

1.1.4 There is a spectrum of EVSs,
from ecocentric through
anthropocentric to technocentric
value systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE SYSTEMS
ECOCENTRISM ANTHROPOCENTRISM TECHNOCENTRISM
( __________________ centered) ( __________________ centered) ( __________________ centered)
Deep ecologists Self-reliant/Soft Ecologists Environmental Managers Cornucopians
1. Intrinsic ____________
of nature for humanity.
1. Emphasis on __________
scale in settlement, work,
leisure
1. Economic growth can
______________ as long as:
1. Man can _____________ any
problem, be it political, scientific, or
technological
2. Ecological ___________
dictate human morality.
2. ____________ of work
and leisure through personal
and communal
_________________
a. ______________ suitable
economic adjustments to taxes, fees,
etc..
2. All policies and project are based on
the concept of
__________________
3. Biorights – the rights of
endangered
_________________ to
remain
_________________
3. Importance of
________________ in
community affairs.
Guarantees
_______________ of
minority interests.
b. improvements in the legal rights
to a minimum level of environmental
quality
3. ________________ about man’s
ability to ________________ life for all
people.
4. Lack of faith in modern, large-scale
___________________, elitist
_____________________ and ______________________
authority.
c. compensation arrangements for
those who experience
________________ environmental
and/or social effects.
4. _____________ that science &
technology can inform
______________ growth and
______________ health and safety.
5. Materialism for its own sake is __________________
Economic growth can include providing for the basic
needs of those living _______________ subsistence levels.
2. Acceptance of EIA’s
(Environmental
______________ Assessments) and
consensus between interested
parties before a new project begins.
5. _______________ of attempts to
widen public access to decision making
process and policy review.
6. Believe that all impediments can be
overcome, given a strong
______________, ingenuity, and
sufficient _________________

1.1.5 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
behavior.
How would an ecocentrist feel about the construction of a large hydroelectric dam in Patagonia? (Support your answer with at
least 5 bullet points)
●
1.1.6 An anthropocentric viewpoint
argues that humans must
sustainably manage the global
system. This might be through the
use of taxes, and environmental
regulation and legislation. Debate
would be encouraged to reach a
consensual, pragmatic approach to
solving environmental problems.
How would an anthropocentrist feel about the construction of a large hydroelectric dam in Patagonia? (Support your answer with
at least 5 bullet points)
●
1.1.7 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.
How would a technocentrist feel about the construction of a large hydroelectric dam in Patagonia? (Support your answer with at
least 5 bullet points)
●

1.1.8 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.
Consider a movement to ban plastic bags in your hometown. Similar to the ban in other cities, grocery stores would require
shoppers to pay to buy a reusable bag at the store.
On the following continuum, mark an “X” that represents YOUR perspective on this issue.
Deep ecologist/ cornucopian/
ecocentric technocentric
1.1.9 Different EVSs ascribe different
intrinsic values to components of the
biosphere.
Describe and evaluate how each of these pure EVSs would feel about the intrinsic value of an old growth forest.
Ecocentric:
Anthropocentric:
Technocentric:

Applications & Skills: Treat the following prompts as assessment questions on your IB ESS exam. Use the terminology and concepts from the notes above to respond to
each of these prompts
1.1.AS1 Discuss the view that the environment can have its own intrinsic value.
1.1.AS2 Evaluate the implications of two contrasting EVSs in the context of a given environmental issue.
1.1.AS3 Justify, using examples and evidence, how historical influences have shaped the development of the modern environmental movement.
Some historic environmental landmarks: **There are plenty of others NOT shown: you may choose your own, but the list below was provided by the IBO.
● Gaia Hypothesis (James Lovelock)
● Minamata disaster
● Silent Spring (Rachel Carson - 1962)
● An Inconvenient Truth (David Guggenheim – 2006)
● Chernobyl disaster – 1986
● Fukushima Daichi nuclear disaster – 2011
● Whaling - ongoing
● Bhopal disaster – 1984
● Gulf of Mexico oil spill – 2010
● Chipko movement
● Rio Earth Summit – 2012 (Rio+20)
● Earth day
● Green Revolution
● Copenhagen Accord

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