ESS syllabus – part 1

12 Aug ESS syllabus – part 1

ESS syllabus outline

Syllabus component

Core content

Topic 1 – Foundations of environmental systems and societies

Topic 2 – Ecosystems and ecology

Topic 3 – Biodiversity and conservation

Topic 4 – Water and aquatic food production systems and societies

Topic 5 – Soil systems and terrestrial food production systems and societies

Topic 6 – Atmospheric systems and societies

Topic 7 – Climate change and energy production

Topic 8 – Human systems and resource use

Topic 1.1 – Environmental value system

What is a world view? Maybe more importantly what is an environmental world view? What is it? This is the “world view” or set of paradigms that shape the ways that individuals and groups approach environmental issues. It can also be viewed as a system as there are inputs and outputs that influence it.

Views vary from people who believe the world has unending resources and humans have unending resourcefulness (Cornucopians) to the ecocentrists who believe we are a part of nature and that we have to change our lifestyles to prevent any further damage to the Earth.

In this unit we will look at the environmental philosophies of an individual, as with that of a community. We will see how these philosophies are shaped by cultural, economic and socio-political context. You should recognize this and appreciate that others may have equally valid viewpoints.

​Significant ideas:

• Historical events, among other influences, affect the development of environmental value systems (EVSs) and environmental movements
• There is a wide spectrum of EVSs, each with its own premises and implication

Big questions

• What value systems can you identify at play in the causes and approaches to resolving the issues addressed in this topic?
• How does your own value system compare with others you have encountered in the context of issues raised in this topic?

Knowledge and Understanding

1.1. Significant historical influences on the development of the environmental movement have come from literature, the media, major environmental disasters, international agreements and technological developments. 

Chernobyl disaster of 1986; Fukushima Daiihi nuclear disaster of 2011; whaling; Bhopal disaster of 1984; Gulf of Mexico oil spill of 2010; Rio Earth Summit 2012 (Rio+20); Earth Day; Green Revolution;
Copenhagen Accord; recent or local events of student interest.)
(Guidance 2: In the range of historical influences selected, it is beneficial to have both local and global examples.)

• Use examples and evidence to justify how historical events such as major environmental disasters, international agreements, literature, the media and technological developments have shaped the development of the environmental movement
• Discuss three key historical influences on the development of the modern environmental movement

Significant historical influences on the development of the environmental movement have come from literature, the media, major environmental disasters, international agreements and technological development.

Consider major landmarks, for example, James Lovelock’s development of the Gaia hypothesis; Minamata disaster; Rachel Carson’s book
Silent Spring (1962);, Davis Guggenheim’s documentary An Inconvenient Truth (2006); Chernobyl disaster of 1986; Fukushima Daiihi nuclear disaster of 2011; Bhopal disaster of 1984; Gulf of Mexico oil spill of 2010; Chipko movement; Rio Earth Summit 2012 (Rio+20); Earth Day; Green Revolution; Copenhagen Accord; recent or local events of student interest., whaling (Save the Whale), First Nation Americans, aka American Indians or Native Americans leading to environmental pressure groups, both local and global, the concept of stewardship and increased media coverage raising public awareness.

If you are interested in this subject please read more at ESS Syllabus – 2.