An environmental value system (EVS) is a particular worldview or set of paradigms that shapes the way individuals or societies perceive and evaluate environmental issues. To a large extent I agree with the definition above because cultural (including religious), economic and socio-political factors influence views and perspectives no matter the subject or, context. For example, those who come from MEDC will have different life experiences, cultures, education, and type of society than LEDC which means they will have a different worldview. Another example would be countries with a democratic or, authoritarian society will have completely different views than one another. How an individual views the world or, their paradigm affects the assumptions
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Technocentrist believe that technology will keep pace and provide solutions to environmental problems and that humans are dependant on nature but nature is there to benefit humankind. On the other end of the spectrum, ecocentrist believe in environmental sustainability and minimizing disturbances to natural processes. This is a more holistic view as oppose to the human centered one above. Anthropocentrist believe in a combination of both viewpoints. The term technocentrist is sometimes referred to as a cornucopian view which is a belief in the unending resourcefulness of humans and their ability to control the environment which leads to an optimistic view about the state of the world. Technocentric worldviews also include environmental managers who believe that economic growth and resource exploitation can continue as long as the government is there to enforce policies and protect the environment. On the ecologist end there are two types, soft ecologist and deep ecologist. Soft ecologist reject materialism and adopt a more conservative view on environmental problem-solving. Deep ecologist put more value on nature than humanity. Most of the people living in the MEDC with a thriving economy and those in the industrial world have a more technocentric/human centered worldview. However, it is noted that with the advancement of science and technology in the last 40 …show more content…
For example, the Buna chemical works in East Germany dumps 10 times more mercury into its neighbouring river and emits 100 times more carbon monoxide than the East. The occurrence of environmental disasters such as this can be partially blamed on the economic principles of communism. A world where natural resources are only meant to serve the state allows it to be easily exploited. In addition, the idea of equal distribution and no profit motive means resources can be wasted and easily squandered. In contrast, the capitalist model and a free market creates and imposes checks and balances that makes sure resources are used correctly and efficiently to maximize profits. Although, capitalism has a better track record when it comes to taking care of the environment, it is not without flaws. The rise of capitalism in Germany led to polluters organizing into powerful lobbies to protect their own interest at the expense of the
Technocentrist believe that technology will keep pace and provide solutions to environmental problems and that humans are dependant on nature but nature is there to benefit humankind. On the other end of the spectrum, ecocentrist believe in environmental sustainability and minimizing disturbances to natural processes. This is a more holistic view as oppose to the human centered one above. Anthropocentrist believe in a combination of both viewpoints. The term technocentrist is sometimes referred to as a cornucopian view which is a belief in the unending resourcefulness of humans and their ability to control the environment which leads to an optimistic view about the state of the world. Technocentric worldviews also include environmental managers who believe that economic growth and resource exploitation can continue as long as the government is there to enforce policies and protect the environment. On the ecologist end there are two types, soft ecologist and deep ecologist. Soft ecologist reject materialism and adopt a more conservative view on environmental problem-solving. Deep ecologist put more value on nature than humanity. Most of the people living in the MEDC with a thriving economy and those in the industrial world have a more technocentric/human centered worldview. However, it is noted that with the advancement of science and technology in the last 40 …show more content…
For example, the Buna chemical works in East Germany dumps 10 times more mercury into its neighbouring river and emits 100 times more carbon monoxide than the East. The occurrence of environmental disasters such as this can be partially blamed on the economic principles of communism. A world where natural resources are only meant to serve the state allows it to be easily exploited. In addition, the idea of equal distribution and no profit motive means resources can be wasted and easily squandered. In contrast, the capitalist model and a free market creates and imposes checks and balances that makes sure resources are used correctly and efficiently to maximize profits. Although, capitalism has a better track record when it comes to taking care of the environment, it is not without flaws. The rise of capitalism in Germany led to polluters organizing into powerful lobbies to protect their own interest at the expense of the