1.

1
Environmental
Value Systems
Environmental Systems and
Society

Modified from https://iboess.wikispaces.com/Topic+7+Environmental+value+systems

Topic 1.1 Environmental
Value Systems
Knowledge and Understanding:
Significant historical influences on the development of the environmental movement have
come from literature, the media, major environmental disasters, international agreements
and technological developments. (See Timelines & Influential Events Assignments)
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.
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).
There is a spectrum of EVSs, from ecocentric through anthropocentric to
technocentric value systems.
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.
Topic 1.1 Environmental Value
Systems
Knowledge and Understanding:
An anthropocentric viewpoint argues that humans must sustainably
manage the global system. This might be through the use of taxes,
environmental regulation and legislation. Debate would be encouraged
to reach a consensual, pragmatic approach to solving environmental
problems.
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.
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.
Different EVSs ascribe different intrinsic value to components of the
biosphere.
 Topic 1.1 Environmental Value
Systems
Applications and skills:
Discuss the view that the environment can have its own
intrinsic value.
Evaluate the implications of two contrasting EVSs in the
context of given environmental issues.
Justify, using examples and evidence, how historical
influences have shaped the development of the
modern environmental movement (See Timelines &
Influential Events Assignments)

Theory of knowledge:
EVSs shape the way we perceive the
environment—which other value systems shape the
way we view the world?
Environmental Value System

The “world view” or set of paradigms

that shape the ways that individuals
and groups approach environmental
issues.
What is a System?
Make a list of “systems”
If you had to come up with 1 definition
what would it be?
A set of parts that work together to make
the whole function. Generally the whole is
more efficient than all the parts.
Can you have systems within systems?
Explain.
System Diagrams
Storages = boxes
Flows = arrows
Inputs = things going into the system
Outputs = things coming out of the system

INPUTS STORAGE OUTPUTS

Thinking about your values system – what

are the inputs and outputs?
Inputs and outputs
Inputs: Family, peers, media, religion,
education, science, politics, economics

Outputs: Decisions, perspectives, course of

action
Draw a system diagram of your EVS
Environmental Value Systems

Ecocentric Anthropocentric
Technocentric
(Nature Centered) (People Centered) (Technology
Centered)

Minimum disturbances People are managers Technology solves

to nature of the Earth problems
Ecocentrism
Nature Centered
Nature: environmental conservation is central to
decision-making
Society: humans are part of nature
Individual responsibility and accountablility
All life has inherent value
We should not cause extinction of other species
We should protect habitats and ecosystems
Humans are not more important than other species
Resources are limited
We need the Earth more than it needs us
Anthropocentrism
People (humanity) centered
Nature: the environment is a resource for humans to use as
needed
Society: human health and well-being are central in
decision-making
People as environmental managers of the environment
Governmental regulation; taxes, legislation, regulation
Population control given equal weight to resource use
Humans are the most important species
People living in MEDC’s
(more economically developed countries)
are more likely to hold this view. Why?
 Technocentrism
Nature: nature is a model, but can be replaced by
technology when needed
Society: human health and well-being are central to
decision-making
Technology can keep pace with and provide solutions
to environmental problems.
We must understand natural processes in order to
manage and control these resources
We can solve any problem we cause
Economic growth is a good thing
Where do you think you
fall?
We all have different influences
that affect our views of the world.
Based on what you have learned
so far, would you classify yourself
as a ecocentric, anthropocentric,
or technocentric person with
regards to the environment?
Why?
EVS Spectrum
Although we tend to group into 3 main
groups there are extremes in the spectrum
We might not fall complete into one
category or another but we need to be
able to justify our viewpoints with
examples (blogs will help with this)
Deep Ecologists
Extreme Ecocentric
• Nature is of more value than humanity
• Concerned about the impacts of human
life as one part of the ecosphere
(humans are not any more important than
any other living thing)
• Not all natural resources are for human
use, humans should consume less
• Seek a more holistic view of the world we
live in
• Believe everyone should be involved in
making decisions regarding the
environment
Self Reliance / Soft Ecologist
Small scale, local community action
Individuals make a difference
Self-sufficiency in resource management
Ecological understand a principle for all aspect of
living.
Against large scale profits, prefer small scale/local
markets
Environmental Managers
The Earth needs tending: Stewardship
Governments legislate and protect the
environment
No radical political agenda but promote working
to create change within the existing social and
political structures
Current economic growth can be sustained if
environmental issues are managed by legal
means or political agreement.
Believe that the environment can be used if
manage properly
Cornucopians
Extreme Technocentric
The world has infinite resources
This perspective doesn't really see environmental
issues as "problems" as humans have always found a
way out of difficulties in the past
New resources and technologies will solve any
environmental problems as they are encountered.
There is no need for radical agendas, socio-economic
or political reform
Don't care for the environment; human come first
Growth and capitalism is the best way to manage the
free-market economy
Where do you think the following
people fall?

Note: If you see a person, idea or quote that

resonates with you, you might want to take note
so that you can use this information as you justify
YOUR OWN Environmental Value System.
 Chief Seattle
“Every part of the earth
is sacred to my people.
Every shining pine
needle, every sandy
shore, every mist in the
dark woods, every
meadow, every
humming insect. All are
holy in the memory and
experience of my
people.”
Aldo Leapold, 1949
“ A thing is right when it tends to
preserve the integrity, stability and
beauty of the biotic community. It is
wrong when it tends otherwise.”
“We abuse land because we regard it
as a commodity belonging to us. 
When we see land as a community
to which we belong, we may begin
to use it with love and respect.”
Aldo Leopold, A Sand County
Almanac
 Rachel Carson
“ Like the resource it seeks to protect, wildlife conservation
must be dynamic, changing as conditions change,
seeking always to become more effective.”
"The most alarming of all man's assaults upon the
environment is the contamination of air, earth, rivers,
and sea with dangerous and even lethal materials. This
pollution is for the most part irrecoverable; the chain of
evil it initiates not only in the world that must support life
but in living tissues is for the most part irreversible. In this
now universal contamination of the environment,
chemicals are the sinister and little-recognized partners
of radiation in changing the very nature of the
world—the very nature of its life."
James Lovelock – The Gaia
Hypothesis
“A billion could live off the earth; 6 billion living
as we do is far too many, and you run out of
planet in no time.”

“ Any species that harms the environment to a

point where it threatens its own progeny is
doomed and will become extinct...and that's
us.”
Mahatma Gandhi
“The earth, the air, the land and the
water are not am inheritance from our
fore fathers but on loan from our children.
So we have to handover to them at least
as it was handed over to us.”

“There is a sufficiency in the world for

man’s need but not for man’s greed.”
George W. Bush
"It would be helpful if we opened up
ANWR (The Alaskan National Wildlife
Refuge – a wilderness reserve). I think it's a
mistake not to. And I would urge you all to
travel up there and take a look at it and
you can make the determination as to
how beautiful that country is.”

Mar. 29, 2001

 Barrack Obama
“ One of the things I draw from the Genesis story is the
importance of us being good stewards of the land, of this
incredible gift. And I think there have been times where we
haven’t been [good stewards], and this is one of those times
where we’ve got to take the warning seriously [about climate
change]. And part of what my religious faith teaches me is to
take an intergenerational view, to recognize that we are
borrowing this planet from our children and our
grandchildren…. We have to find resources in ourselves to
make sacrifices so we don’t leave it to the next generation.
We’ve got to be less wasteful, both as a society and in our
own individual lives … As president, I hope to rally the entire
world around the importance of us being good stewards of
the land.”
Source: 2008 Democratic Compassion Forum at Messiah College Apr 13, 2008
Comparing EVS’s
Different societies tend to have different
EVS’s
We will look at a few examples to
understand more about how the inputs
influence value systems
 Communism &
Capitalism in Germany
Communism was viewed as a solution to
capitalistic greed and many believed that this
would result in more equal distribution of wealth,
thereby also decreasing many social issues
including environmental damage
1989 Berlin Wall came down
Journalists found that the pollution in Eastern
Berlin was much greater than in Western Berlin.
Although the industry of a capitalistic society
pollutes, it seems that ex-soviet communism
polluted much more!
Capitalism and the
Environment
Economic growth is put above all
other factors, and in many cases,
this growth comes above
environmental values.
Private businesses in these societies
are mostly to blame for the
environmental degradation in
these areas.
Communism and the
Environment
Even though communist societies are meant to
distribute wealth evenly, most of these countries are
victims of the term “tragedy of the commons”.
Tragedy of the commons: “a situation where
individuals acting independently and rationally
according to each's self-interest behave contrary to
the best interests of the whole group by depleting
some common resource.” Wikipedia
When no one owns the resource,
no one takes care of it.
 Summary of Capitalistic &
Communistic
They EVS
both have different economical principles that
also tie back to their environmental values.
Capitalism is heavily based in private businesses, and
socialism is based in government-owned businesses.
In terms of environmental values, capitalism allows
for free speech and greater environmental
awareness than communism in most cases.
Communism and capitalism also find it difficult to
restrict environmental abuse because both
emphasize short-term efficiency and profits while
ignoring long-term costs of environmental
degradation.
Common Native American EVS’s
There are many EVS’s among different tribes so this is a generalization

Tendency to live in communities and share property

Subsistent economy based on trade
Low impact technology
Tribal law requires agreement based on consensus
Laws are passed down by oral tradition
Most tribes have a matrilineal (mothers) descent,
extended families, and small population densities
Most tribes are polytheistic and animals, plants, and
nature are often regarded as objects with spirituality
Christianity and Islam EVS’s
Together these 2 religions have over 3.6 billion
followers
Similarities in beliefs:
Separation of spirit and matter (body and soul)
God is the creator of the world and universe.
Idea of “dominion” over the Earth
“Replenish the Earth , and subdue it, and have dominion
over it”- Genesis
“Earth (and its bounty) have been given to humans for their
subsistence” – Quran
Christianity – Earth has been “gifted” to humans as
caretakers, not rulers
Islam – Animal world is a community equal to the
human one
3rd pillar of Islam – charity, humans are trustees
Buddhism’s EVS
To live in harmony with nature is a crucial Buddhist
practice.
Every living thing in the world is dependent on each
other
Humans are no more important than other living
things.
The Buddha manifested a complete compassion and
is respectfully seen as the compassionate protector of
all beings.
Buddha taught that for those who wishes to follow his
Path should practice loving-kindness, not to harm the
life of all beings - not only to protect mankind, but
also to protect animals and vegetation.
Similarities Between
Christianity, Islam, &
Buddhism
All religions have a respect towards nature.
Christianity & Islam states that one must have a
proper relationship with the Creator and the rest
of the Creation (nature).
Christianity and Islam have an aspect of humans
being stewards of the land.
Buddhist society states that a person needs to be
in harmony with nature in order to be in harmony
with himself.
They recognize it is not theirs to ruin and that the
nature and earth was there before humans. It is all
about respect and appropriate use.
Differences Between
Christianity, Islam, & Buddhism
In Christianity & Islam, God created nature,
therefore we as humans, have the obligation to
respect, protect, and not harm the nature.
In Buddhism, one has to be responsible for one’s
actions. What we do to nature, it will reflect to
ourselves.
The origins and reasons are different. In Christianity
and Islam the aim is to please God. Buddhists
respect and follow the teachings of Buddha.