Topic 1 Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is the ecocentric worldview?
Sees nature as having intrinsic value and believes human activities should prioritize environmental protection and sustainability.
What is the anthropocentric worldview?
Focuses on human welfare and views nature as a resource for human needs.
How do ecocentrism and anthropocentrism influence environmental management?
Ecocentrism leads to policies prioritizing conservation and ecological balance, while anthropocentrism might promote resource exploitation for human benefit.
How does a technocentric perspective view technology’s role in environmental problems?
Emphasizes the use of technology to solve environmental issues.
Example: Using renewable energy technologies (e.g., solar, wind) to mitigate climate change.
What is the Gaia Hypothesis?
Suggests that Earth and its biological systems behave as a self-regulating system.
How does the Gaia Hypothesis relate to ecocentrism?
It views the Earth as a complex, interconnected system where all elements, including human activities, should maintain ecological balance.
What is a system in environmental science?
A set of interacting components that work together as a whole, exchanging energy and/or matter.
Provide an example of a system in environmental science.
A forest ecosystem where biotic (plants, animals) and abiotic (water, soil) components interact.
What is a feedback loop in environmental systems?
A process that amplifies or dampens system changes.
What is a positive feedback loop?
Amplifies the change.
Example: Global warming leads to more water vapor in the atmosphere, which further increases warming.
What is a negative feedback loop?
Counteracts the change.
Example: Increased plant growth due to higher CO2 levels, which helps absorb more CO2 and slows warming.
What is an open system?
Exchanges both energy and matter with the surroundings.
Example: A lake (water, nutrients, energy enter and leave).
What is a closed system?
Exchanges energy but not matter.
Example: A greenhouse where sunlight enters but matter (e.g., soil or plants) doesn’t leave.
How do models help environmental scientists?
They help simplify and predict complex systems by showing how components interact.
Give an example of a model used in environmental science.
The Planetary Boundaries Model helps us understand the limits of human impact on Earth, and the Doughnut Economics Model shows how to balance human needs and environmental sustainability.
What are the key components of the Planetary Boundaries Model?
Identifies nine critical environmental thresholds (e.g., climate change, biodiversity loss) that humanity must stay within to avoid irreversible damage.
Why is the Planetary Boundaries Model important?
It provides a framework to measure and manage human impact on Earth’s systems.
How do human activities impact the Planetary Boundaries?
Activities that exceed these boundaries (e.g., CO2 emissions, deforestation) threaten ecological stability.
What is the Circular Economy Model?
Promotes a system where resources are reused, recycled, and kept in circulation, reducing waste and reliance on new raw materials.
How does the Circular Economy Model differ from the traditional linear economy?
It contrasts with the traditional linear economy, which follows a ‘take, make, dispose’ pattern.
How can businesses adopt circular practices?
By implementing practices like designing products for longevity, promoting recycling, and reducing waste.
What is the concept of ‘safe and just space’ in the Doughnut Economics Model?
Represents a zone where humanity can meet basic human needs (social foundations) while staying within the ecological limits (planetary boundaries).
How does the Doughnut Economics Model promote sustainable development?
It advocates for economic systems that prioritize human well-being and environmental health, rejecting traditional growth-focused models that harm the planet.
