ESS Topic 1 Flashcards
(30 cards)
Ecocentric Value System
puts ecology and human nature as central to humanity
emphasises less materialistic approach - self sufficiency
integrates social, spiritual and environmental dimensions into holistic idea
Anthropocentric Value System
humans must sustainably manage global system
through taxes, regulation and legislation
Technocentric Value System
technological developments provide solutions to environmental problems
prioritises scientific research and development
Intrinsic Value
the inner worth of something to someone - the environment has intrinsic value
Systems
set of things working together to form a. complex whole
comprised of storage and flows
Open systems
exchanges both energy and matter
Closed systems
exchanges only energy
Isolated systems
neither energy or matter is exchanged
purely hypothetical
Strengths of models
allow scientists to make predictions,
simplifies complex situations,
inputs can be changed and outcomes examined without waiting for real events,
results can be shared by others
Weaknesses of Models
Involves approximation,
loss of accuracy,
different people interpret them differently,
relies on expertise of people making them
Principle of conservation energy
in an isolated system energy cannot be created nor destroyed - only transformed
2nd law of thermodynamics
entropy of a system increases over time
entropy
measure of disorder in a system, reduces availability for energy to do work, occurs from energy transformation
Equilibrium
ecosystem normally exists in a stable equilibrium either steady-state or one developing over time - maintained by negative feedback loops
Negative Feedback loops
when output of a process inhibits or reserves the operation of the same process to reduce change
e.g. rising global temperature = melt ice caps - more water for evaporation = more clouds = more radiation reflected by clouds = falling global temperature
Positive Feedback Loops
will amplify change to drive system towards tipping point where new equilibrium in adopted
e.g. rising global temperatures = melting ice caps = dark soil exposed = more solar radiation absorbed = drop in albedo = rising global temps
Sustainability
use and management of resources allowing for full natural capital replacement of resources exploited and full recovery of ecosystems affected by their extraction and use
Sustainable Devleopment
meets need of present without compromising the ability of future genreations to meet own needs
Natural capital
goods and services the environment provides humans with in order to rpvoide natural income
Natural income
yeild obtained from natural resources
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) Benefits
incoorporates baseline studies before development project is undertaken,
assess social, environmental, economic impacts of project,
predicts possible impacts of projects
EIAs weaknesses
hard to determine where boundary of investigation should be,
very difficult to consider all indirect impacts of a development - some may be missed,
different countries have different EIA standards - hard to compare
Primary Pollutants
active on emission
e.g. carbom monoxide from fossil fuels causing headaches, fatigue and possibly death
Secondary Pollutants
primary pollutants undergoing physical and chemical changes
e.g. sulphuric acid forms when sulphur trioxide reacts with water
