Worldviews & Environmental Perspectives (HL IB ESS OLD COURSE - IGNORE)

Revision Note

Understanding Worldviews

What are worldviews?

  • Worldviews can be described as the lenses through which groups of people to see and understand the world around them (it is just their "view of the world")

  • They are made up of cultural beliefs, philosophical ideas, political opinions, religious teachings and many other factors

    • For example, in some cultures, the idea of family and community is highly valued, while in others, individual achievement and success are prioritised

  • Worldviews shape how people think, what they believe and how they behave

  • They influence our moral compass, our judgments and our decisions

    • For example, a person who grew up in a religious household may have different views on topics like abortion or marriage compared to someone who didn't

How do worldviews differ from perspectives?

  • Worldviews generally encompass a broader and deeper set of beliefs, values and ideologies that shape how individuals or groups perceive and interpret the world around them, whereas perspectives are usually more specific and immediate viewpoints or attitudes individuals hold on particular issues or topics

    • Perspectives are often more situational and may be more likely to change based on circumstances or new information

Impact of technology and media

  • With the rise of the internet and social media, people are exposed to a wide range of worldviews beyond their local community

    • For example, a teenager from one part of the globe can quickly learn about different world cultures, religions, and political ideologies just by scrolling through their social media feed

  • Attempts to categorise different perspectives into groups can be challenging because individuals often have a complex mix of beliefs and opinions

    • For example, a person might identify as liberal on social issues but be more conservative on economic policies

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Remember that worldviews are diverse and complex, and individuals may hold a variety of beliefs that don't fit neatly into categories.

You should be able to use real-world examples to illustrate different worldviews and their impact on society. Whilst studying the ESS course, make a note of any case studies or examples you come across that could be used to demonstrate certain worldviews.

Environmental Value Systems

  • An environmental value system (EVS) is the way that an individual, or any group of people, perceives the environment and the resources it provides them with

    • That includes you - your environmental value system determines the way that you perceive and evaluate environmental issues, as well as the course of action you might decide to take regarding these issues

  • A person’s or group’s environmental value system is shaped and influenced by a variety of factors, including cultural, religious, social, political, economic and environmental factors

    • These factors act as flows of information into individuals within societies

    • Individuals then process and transform this information into their perception of the environment and how to act on environmental matters

EVS inputs and outputs

  • An environmental value system is considered as a system because it is determined by a set of inputs (i.e. the factors described above) and generates a set of outputs (in the form of the person’s or group’s perceptions, evaluations, decisions and actions)

Diagram showing the inputs and outputs of an environmental value system
Like any system, an environmental value system (EVS) has a set of inputs and a set of outputs

Environmental value system categories

  • Although there is a very wide spectrum of environmental value systems, environmental perspectives or worldviews can be broadly divided into three categories. These are:

    • Ecocentric environmental value systems (ecocentrism)

    • Anthropocentric environmental value systems (anthropocentrism)

    • Technocentric environmental value systems (technocentrism)

Diagram showing the three main environmental value system categories
There is a very broad range of environmental value systems held by people and groups around the world—on a basic level these EVSs usually fall into one of three main categories

Ecocentrism

  • Ecocentrism is a philosophical and ethical approach that prioritises the intrinsic value of nature and the environment over human needs and interests

  • This approach emphasises that all living organisms and ecosystems have inherent worth and should be protected for their own sake

  • Ecocentrism advocates for sustainable practices that maintain the balance and integrity of ecosystems and the natural world, rather than exploiting them for human benefit

  • This approach is often associated with environmental movements and conservation efforts that aim to protect biodiversity, ecosystems and natural resources

Anthropocentrism

  • Anthropocentrism is a worldview that places human beings at the centre of the universe, prioritising human needs and interests over those of other living beings and the environment

  • This approach emphasises that humans have the right to use natural resources and ecosystems for their own benefit

  • Although an anthropocentric viewpoint would ideally involve sustainable managing global systems, in reality, anthropocentrism often results in unsustainable practices such as overexploitation of natural resources, habitat destruction, and pollution

  • This approach only values preserving biodiversity when it can provide economic and ecological advantages to humans

  • This approach is often criticised by environmentalists and conservationists for ignoring the intrinsic value of nature and its ecosystems

Technocentrism

  • Technocentrism is a worldview that places technology and human ingenuity at the centre of all problem-solving and decision-making processes, often overlooking the impact on the environment and other living beings

  • This approach emphasises the use of technology to overcome environmental problems and maintain human well-being

  • Technocentrism often assumes that all environmental problems can be solved through technological innovation and economic growth, which may lead to neglect of the need for conservation and sustainability

  • This approach is often criticised by environmentalists for being short-sighted and ignoring the complex and interconnected nature of environmental issues

Strengths and Limitations of Contrasting EVSs

EVS

Advantages

Disadvantages

Ecocentrism

Reuses materials so more sustainable

Minimises environmental impact by encouraging restraint

Better for long-term human wellbeing

No need to wait for technology to develop

Conservation can be expensive with no obvious or quick economic return

Many countries are still developing economically and argue they should be allowed to continue

Difficult to change individual attitudes

Technocentrism

Substitutes materials so avoids costly industrial change

Provides solutions so people are not inconvenienced

Allows social and economic progress

Allows even greater rates of resource consumption

May give rise to further environmental problems

High cost

Humans increasingly disconnected from nature

Case Study

Plastic pollution in the oceans

Plastic pollution in the oceans is a major environmental problem. Humans might use an ecocentric approach or a technocentric approach to try and solve this problem.

Photo of plastic pollution and juvenile fish—Indonesia
Plastic pollution and juvenile fish—Indonesia (Photo by Naja Bertolt Jensen on Unsplash)

Ecocentric approach:

The ecocentric approach prioritises the preservation of natural ecosystems and biodiversity. In the context of plastic pollution, an ecocentric approach would focus on reducing the amount of plastic waste that enters the oceans in the first place.

This could involve reducing the production and use of single-use plastic items, implementing stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent illegal dumping of plastic waste into the oceans and promoting sustainable alternatives to plastic products. Additionally, an ecocentric approach would prioritise the restoration and protection of marine ecosystems that have been impacted by plastic pollution, such as coral reefs and sea turtle nesting habitats.

Technocentric approach:

The technocentric approach relies on technological solutions to environmental problems. In the context of plastic pollution, a technocentric approach would focus on developing new technologies to clean up plastic waste from the oceans and prevent further pollution.

This could involve the use of advanced filtration systems or autonomous robots to remove plastic waste from the oceans, as well as the development of biodegradable plastics that break down more quickly in marine environments.

Conclusion:

Overall, the ecocentric approach emphasises the need for systemic change (fundamental changes in human behaviour and resource use) in order to reduce the amount of plastic waste entering the oceans and preserve marine ecosystems, while the technocentric approach focuses on developing new technologies to address the problem (allowing current rates of plastic use to continue).

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Alistair Marjot

Author: Alistair Marjot

Expertise: Biology & Environmental Systems and Societies

Alistair graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Biological Sciences. He has taught GCSE/IGCSE Biology, as well as Biology and Environmental Systems & Societies for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. While teaching in Oxford, Alistair completed his MA Education as Head of Department for Environmental Systems & Societies. Alistair has continued to pursue his interests in ecology and environmental science, recently gaining an MSc in Wildlife Biology & Conservation with Edinburgh Napier University.

Bridgette Barrett

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After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.