What is an Environmental Value System (EVS) ?
A worldwide view that shapes the way people or a group of people perceive environmental issues
What are the 5 inputs for an EVS?
(Use the mnemonic P.E.R.M.S)
P - Politics
E - Education
R - Religion
M - Media
S - Science
What are the 3 outputs for an EVS?
Decisions
Perspectives
Course of action
What is the Continuum of Environmental Thought?
It is a spectrum in which a range of perspectives on the environment is classified and ordered
What are Ecocentric people? (their beliefs)
These are people who believe that nature is a priority in the world and that humans have no right to control it or exploit its resources. They are heavily nature centred
What are Anthropocentric people? (their beliefs)
These people believe that humans are the most central and important, giving them priority over animals and nature. However, anthropocentric people believe in sustainability in the world and that people are given an equal say in the use of resources derived from nature
What are Technocentric people? (their beliefs)
These people believe that technology is the key to solving the world’s environmental issues and that it will be able to provide solutions to problems that may face. It focuses more on scientific analysis and economic growth. They do not see humans as the problem
What are Cornucopian beliefs similar to?
They are similar to technocentric beliefs. They are a branch of technocentrism
What are self-reliance soft ecologists’ beliefs?
They emphasise in shunning large scale profit motives for action, for small-scale community orientated schemes
What are the EVS of Judaeo-Christians?
- Believe God gave humans dominion over the Earth, so man rule it: “Replenish the Earth, subdue it, and have dominion over it” - Genesis
What are the EVS of Buddhists?
Buddhism emphasises the importance of humans harmoniously co-existing with nature while denouncing human conquering of nature. It also emphasises compassion, respect for all living creatures, and harmony between living things sharing the planet
What are the EVS of Native Americans?
- Animals were viewed as having a spirituality
- Many of their gods followed after nature (i.e. the water god)
- They treated animals with respect (they would only kill animals if necessary and if they did, they would make sure to use up the whole animal, instead of wasting it)
What are the EVS of European pioneers?
- Heavily exploited the land
- Believed it was theirs for the taking and caused the deforestation of many forests, and almost caused the extinction of many wild animals for food
- Wanted to restore the “Eden of Genesis” in a new, unspoiled world
What are the EVS of a communist society?
- Because resources were shared, there was no ownership. Therefore, people did not care enough about tidiness over resources. This is called the “Tragedy of the commons”
What are the EVS of a capitalist society?
- Believed that economic growth was more important than environmental values
- Private businesses were mainly to blame
- They wanted their shareholders happy, even if that meant the detriment of the environment
