Foundations of ESS
This term describes the point of view that emphasizes humans as separate from and in control of nature.
Technocentric.
In systems thinking, this type of system has inputs and outputs of both matter and energy.
Open system.
The ability of a system to continue functioning indefinitely without depleting resources is called what?
Sustainability
What event in the 20th century increased global concern about nuclear power and its risks?
The Chernobyl disaster (1986).
This 1930s U.S. environmental disaster highlighted the consequences of poor soil management.
The Dust Bowl.
Which environmental value system (EVS) views the Earth as a system with limited resources that need careful stewardship?
Ecocentric
Give an example of a closed system in the environment.
The Earth (for matter, nearly closed).
Define natural capital.
Resources from nature that provide goods or services of value to humans.
Which 1962 book by Rachel Carson raised public awareness about pesticide use?
Silent Spring.
Which 2010 event was the largest marine oil spill in U.S. history?
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
Define the anthropocentric worldview.
Human-centered; nature is managed for human benefit through regulation, laws, and taxes.
Define “feedback loop” and give one environmental example.
A process where a system’s output feeds back into itself. Example: Melting ice reduces albedo, increasing warming (positive feedback).
What is the difference between renewable and replenishable resources?
Renewable: Can be regenerated within a human lifespan (forests, fish). Replenishable: Naturally replaced but over much longer timescales (groundwater, soil).
How did the Industrial Revolution shift environmental worldviews?
Increased technocentric values—belief in human progress, exploitation of resources, industrial growth.
Name the book that launched the modern environmental movement in the U.S. and describe its impact.
Silent Spring (Rachel Carson); led to pesticide bans and public awareness of pollution.
Give one strength and one weakness of the ecocentric perspective.
Strength: Promotes conservation and harmony with nature. Weakness: May limit technological or economic development.
What is the difference between resilience and tipping point in a system?
Resilience is the ability to recover from disturbance; tipping point is when a system shifts irreversibly into a new state.
Give an example of an ecological footprint calculation and explain what it measures.
Hectares of land/water required to supply resources and absorb waste for one person—measures human demand on ecosystems.
Explain how globalization influences environmental issues.
Spreads technology, trade, and pollution globally, but also allows cooperation on environmental agreements.
Which 1987 international agreement successfully reduced CFCs to protect the ozone layer?
The Montreal Protocol.
Explain how EVSs can influence decision-making in environmental management.
EVSs shape whether societies prioritize economic growth (technocentric), human regulation (anthropocentric), or ecological balance (ecocentric), which affects policies and actions.
Evaluate the usefulness of models in environmental science (give one strength and one limitation).
Strength: Allow predictions and testing of scenarios. Limitation: Simplify reality, may miss variables.
Discuss one strategy for sustainable resource use and evaluate its effectiveness.
Example: Sustainable forestry—planting trees after harvesting; effective long-term, but may reduce biodiversity if monocultures are used.
Compare the environmental impacts of agricultural vs. industrial societies.
Agricultural: localized deforestation, soil loss. Industrial: global pollution, fossil fuel use, large-scale resource depletion.
Who wrote Walden, and how does it reflect ecocentric values?
Henry David Thoreau; promotes simple living in harmony with nature.