Ess topic 1 foundations of environmental systems and societies(first exam 2017)GURU CHARAN KUMAR
Topic 1: Foundations of environmental systems and societies (16 hours)
Big questions: This topic may be particularly appropriate for considering big questions A, C, D and E.
Sub-topic 1.1: Environmental value systems
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 implications.
Knowledge and understanding:
• Significant historical influences on the development of the environmental
movement have come from literature, the media, major environmental disasters,
international agreements and technological developments.
• An EVS is a worldview or paradigm that shapes the way an individual, or group
of people, perceives and evaluates environmental issues, influenced by cultural,
religious, economic and socio-political contexts.
• An EVS might be considered as a system in the sense that it may be influenced
by education, experience, culture and media (inputs), and involves a set of
interrelated premises, values and arguments that can generate consistent
decisions and evaluations (outputs).
• There is a spectrum of EVSs, from ecocentric through anthropocentric to
technocentric value systems.
• An ecocentric viewpoint integrates social, spiritual and environmental
dimensions into a holistic ideal. It puts ecology and nature as central to humanity
and emphasizes a less materialistic approach to life with greater self-sufficiency
of societies. An ecocentric viewpoint prioritizes biorights, emphasizes the
importance of education and encourages self-restraint in human behaviour.
• An anthropocentric viewpoint argues that humans must sustainably manage the
global system. This might be through the use of taxes, environmental regulation
and legislation. Debate would be encouraged to reach a consensual, pragmatic
approach to solving environmental problems.
• A
Ess topic 1 foundations of environmental systems and societies(first exam 2017)GURU CHARAN KUMAR
Topic 1: Foundations of environmental systems and societies (16 hours)
Big questions: This topic may be particularly appropriate for considering big questions A, C, D and E.
Sub-topic 1.1: Environmental value systems
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 implications.
Knowledge and understanding:
• Significant historical influences on the development of the environmental
movement have come from literature, the media, major environmental disasters,
international agreements and technological developments.
• An EVS is a worldview or paradigm that shapes the way an individual, or group
of people, perceives and evaluates environmental issues, influenced by cultural,
religious, economic and socio-political contexts.
• An EVS might be considered as a system in the sense that it may be influenced
by education, experience, culture and media (inputs), and involves a set of
interrelated premises, values and arguments that can generate consistent
decisions and evaluations (outputs).
• There is a spectrum of EVSs, from ecocentric through anthropocentric to
technocentric value systems.
• An ecocentric viewpoint integrates social, spiritual and environmental
dimensions into a holistic ideal. It puts ecology and nature as central to humanity
and emphasizes a less materialistic approach to life with greater self-sufficiency
of societies. An ecocentric viewpoint prioritizes biorights, emphasizes the
importance of education and encourages self-restraint in human behaviour.
• An anthropocentric viewpoint argues that humans must sustainably manage the
global system. This might be through the use of taxes, environmental regulation
and legislation. Debate would be encouraged to reach a consensual, pragmatic
approach to solving environmental problems.
• A
Understandings:
Most species occupy different trophic levels in multiple food chains
A food web shows all the possible food chains in a community
The percentage of ingested energy converted to biomass is dependent upon the respiration rate
The type of stable ecosystem that will emerge in an area is predictable based on climate
In closed ecosystems energy but not matter is exchanged with the surroundings
Disturbance influxes the structure and rate of change within ecosystems
Applications:
Conversion ratio in sustainable food production practices
Consideration of one example how humans interfere with nutrient cycling
Skills:
Comparison of pyramids of energy from different ecosystems
Analysis of a climograph showing the relationship between temperature, rainfall and the type of ecosystem
Construction of Gersmehl diagrams to show the inter-relationships between nutrient stores and flows between taiga, desert, and tropical rainforest.
Analysis of data showing a primary succession
An investigation into the effect of an environmental disturbance on an ecosystem
This presentation supports the IB Environmental System and Societies Diploma Programme course.
Extensive support material can be found at www.sciencebitz.com
Additional review and revision material is available as an iTunesU course at
https://itunesu.itunes.apple.com/enroll/DEZ-HWS-HNJ
Understandings:
Most species occupy different trophic levels in multiple food chains
A food web shows all the possible food chains in a community
The percentage of ingested energy converted to biomass is dependent upon the respiration rate
The type of stable ecosystem that will emerge in an area is predictable based on climate
In closed ecosystems energy but not matter is exchanged with the surroundings
Disturbance influxes the structure and rate of change within ecosystems
Applications:
Conversion ratio in sustainable food production practices
Consideration of one example how humans interfere with nutrient cycling
Skills:
Comparison of pyramids of energy from different ecosystems
Analysis of a climograph showing the relationship between temperature, rainfall and the type of ecosystem
Construction of Gersmehl diagrams to show the inter-relationships between nutrient stores and flows between taiga, desert, and tropical rainforest.
Analysis of data showing a primary succession
An investigation into the effect of an environmental disturbance on an ecosystem
This presentation supports the IB Environmental System and Societies Diploma Programme course.
Extensive support material can be found at www.sciencebitz.com
Additional review and revision material is available as an iTunesU course at
https://itunesu.itunes.apple.com/enroll/DEZ-HWS-HNJ
Indicator approach to understanding resilience of Socio-ecological Production...Bioversity International
Presentation by Kaoru Ichikawa from UNU-IAS and the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI).
This was presented during a seminar hosted at Bioversity International on 'The Indicators of Resilience in Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS)' in January 2014.
Find out more: http://www.bioversityinternational.org/research-portfolio/agricultural-ecosystems/landscapes/
SWaRMA_IRBM_Module1_#1, Principles of IWRM and IRBM: Challenges for the Himal...ICIMOD
This presentation is the part of 12-day (28 January–8 February 2019) training workshop on “Multi-scale Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) from the Hindu Kush Himalayan Perspective” organized by the Strengthening Water Resources Management in Afghanistan (SWaRMA) Initiative of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and targeted at participants from Afghanistan.
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
Biological screening of herbal drugs: Introduction and Need for
Phyto-Pharmacological Screening, New Strategies for evaluating
Natural Products, In vitro evaluation techniques for Antioxidants, Antimicrobial and Anticancer drugs. In vivo evaluation techniques
for Anti-inflammatory, Antiulcer, Anticancer, Wound healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Cardio protective, Diuretics and
Antifertility, Toxicity studies as per OECD guidelines
A Strategic Approach: GenAI in EducationPeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
Unit 8 - Information and Communication Technology (Paper I).pdfThiyagu K
This slides describes the basic concepts of ICT, basics of Email, Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives in Education. This presentations aligns with the UGC Paper I syllabus.
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It is possible to hide or invisible some fields in odoo. Commonly using “invisible” attribute in the field definition to invisible the fields. This slide will show how to make a field invisible in odoo 17.
Welcome to TechSoup New Member Orientation and Q&A (May 2024).pdfTechSoup
In this webinar you will learn how your organization can access TechSoup's wide variety of product discount and donation programs. From hardware to software, we'll give you a tour of the tools available to help your nonprofit with productivity, collaboration, financial management, donor tracking, security, and more.
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
2. Assessment statements
Significant ideas
• SI1.4.1 All systems can be viewed through the lens of
sustainability.
• SI1.4.2 Sustainable development meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.
• SI1.4.3 Environmental indicators and ecological
footprints can be used to assess sustainability.
• SI1.4.4 Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) play
an important role in sustainable development.
3. Assessment statements
Knowledge and understanding
• U1.4.1 Sustainability is the use and management of resources that allows full
natural replacement of the resources exploited and full recovery of the
ecosystems affected by their extraction and use.
• U1.4.2 Natural capital is a term used for natural resources that can produce a
sustainable natural income of goods or services.
• U1.4.3 Natural income is the yield obtained from natural resources.
• U1.4.4 Ecosystems may provide life-supporting services such as water
replenishment, flood and erosion protection, and goods such as timber,
fisheries, and agricultural crops.
• U1.4.5 Factors such as biodiversity, pollution, population or climate may be used
quantitatively as environmental indicators of sustainability. These factors can be
applied on a range of scales, from local to global. The Millennium Ecosystem
Assessment (MA) gave a scientific appraisal of the condition and trends in the
world’s ecosystems and the services they provide using environmental
indicators, as well as the scientific basis for action to conserve and use them
sustainably.
4. Assessment statements
• U1.4.6 EIAs incorporate baseline studies before a development project is
undertaken. They assess the environmental, social and economic impacts of the
project, predicting and evaluating possible impacts and suggesting mitigation
strategies for the project. They are usually followed by an audit and continued
monitoring. Each country or region has different guidance on the use of EIAs.
[There is no expectation to explore an EIA in depth, but rather to focus on the
principles of their use.]
• U1.4.7 EIAs provide decision-makers with information in order to consider the
environmental impact of a project. There is not necessarily a requirement to
implement an EIA’s proposals, and many socio-economic factors may influence
the decisions made.
• U1.4.8 Criticisms of EIAs include: the lack of a standard practice or training for
practitioners, the lack of a clear definition of system boundaries and the lack of
inclusion of indirect impacts.
• U1.4.9 An ecological footprint (EF) is the area of land and water required to
sustainably provide all resources at the rate at which they are being consumed
by a given population. If the EF is greater than the area available to the
population, this is an indication of unsustainability. [EFs can be used to give
students a sense of their own impact at the start of the course and are
addressed in more detail in topic 8.]
5. Assessment statements
Applications and skills
• S1.4.1 Explain the relationship between natural capital,
natural income and sustainability.
• S1.4.2 Discuss the value of ecosystem services to a
society.
• S1.4.3 Discuss how environmental indicators such as
MA can be used to evaluate the
progress of a project to increase sustainability.
• S1.4.4 Evaluate the use of EIAs.
• S1.4.5 Explain the relationship between EFs and
sustainability.
6. Assessment statements
International mindedness
• International summits and conferences aim to
produce international tools (bodies, treaties,
agreements) that address environmental issues.
• EIAs vary across national borders.
7. Vocabulary
• Baseline study: measurement of conditions existing before
development project against which subsequent changes can be
compared (adapted from Kubo et al.)
• Ecological footprint (EF): the area of land and water required to
sustainably provide all resources at the rate at which they are being
consumed by a given population
• Environmental Impact Assessment: A systematic process to identify,
predict and evaluate the environmental, social and economic impacts
of a proposed development project in order to aid decision making
• Natural capital: natural resources that can produce a sustainable
natural income of goods or services
• Natural income: a good or service produced by a natural capital
resource that regenerates over time
• Sustainability: the use and management of resources that allow full
natural replacement of the resources exploited and full recovery of
the ecosystems affected by their extraction and use
• Sustainable development: development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs
8. SI1.4.1 All systems can be viewed through the lens of sustainability
SI1.4.2 Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without
comprising the ability off future generations to meet their own needs
U1.4.1 Sustainability is the use and management of resources that allows
full natural replacement of the resources exploited and full recovery of the
ecosystems affected by their extraction and use
• Sustainability: the use and management of resources
that allow full natural replacement of the resources
exploited and full recovery of the ecosystems affected
by their extraction and use
• Living within the means of nature, on the “interest”
(sustainable natural income)
• Finite amount of materials, any society that is depleting
natural capital is unsustainable, most societies are
using unsustainable; using the “interest” as well as the
“capital”
• At some point we will run out and have to deal with the
consequences
9. SI1.4.1 All systems can be viewed through the lens of sustainability
SI1.4.2 Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without
comprising the ability off future generations to meet their own needs
U1.4.1 Sustainability is the use and management of resources that allows
full natural replacement of the resources exploited and full recovery of the
ecosystems affected by their extraction and use
• According the UN, humanity has overshot its
sustainable level
10. U1.4.2 Natural capital is a term used for natural resources that can
produce a sustainable natural income of goods and services
U1.4.3 Natural income is the yield obtained from natural resources
• Economists define capital as what is produced by
factories, machines, etc; environmentalists define it as
follows
• Natural capital: natural resources that can produce a
sustainable natural income of goods or services
• Goods
• Forest (natural capital) provides timber (natural income)
• A shoal of fish or agricultural crop (natural capital) provides
food (natural income)
• Services (“The Five Capitals”)
• Processes: Prevent erosion, regulates climate, etc
• Sinks: absorb, neutralise or recycle wastes
• Natural income: a good or service produced by a
natural capital resource that regenerates over time
11. • Natural capital (“The Five Capitals”)
• In their extraction and use, substances taken from the
earth do not exceed the environment's capacity to
disperse, absorb, recycle or otherwise neutralise their
harmful effects (to humans and/or the environment)
• In their manufacture and use, artificial substances do
not exceed the environment's capacity to disperse,
absorb, recycle or otherwise neutralise their harmful
effects (to humans and/or the environment)
• The capacity of the environment to provide ecological
system integrity, biological diversity and productivity is
protected or enhanced
12. S1.4.1 Explain the relationship between natural
capital, natural income and sustainability.
• Natural income is a good or service produced by a
natural capital (natural resource) that regenerates
over time
• As long as we allow for full natural replacement of
the resources exploited and full recovery of the
ecosystems affected by their extraction and use it is
considered sustainable
• Simply put, as long as the harvest of natural income
doesn’t cut into the natural capital it is sustainable
14. Why don’t things change?
• Inertia: resistance to change because it seems too
difficult
• Due to “tragedy of the commons” (4.3)
• Individuals act in their own self-interest to destroy a resource
for all
• Ex. over-fishing international waters ruins it for all
• Ex. Vehicle pollution results in more CO2, nitrogen oxides, etc
in atmosphere which affects all
• Ex. Hunting an endangered species will cause extinction but
feeds your starving family
• Hard to value environmental services; how do you
assign economic value to soil, water, clean air,
biodiversity (or valuate the loss of biodiversity)
15. S1.4.2 Discuss the value of ecosystem services to a society
U1.4.4 Ecosystems may provide life-supporting services such as
water replenishment, flood and erosion protection and goods
such as timber, fisheries and agricultural crops
16. SI1.4.3 Environmental indicators and ecological
footprints can be used to assess sustainability
• Can use lots of different indicators, ecological and
socio-economic; including air quality, water
poverty, GDP per capita, life expectancy, gender
parity, etc.
• Smaller scale = more accurate; also need a global
overview though
17. U1.4.5 Factors such as biodiversity, pollution, population or climate may be used
quantitatively as environmental indicators of sustainability. These factors can be
applied on a range of scales from local to global. The Millennium Ecosystem
Assessment gave a scientific appraisal of the condition and trends in the world’s
ecosystems and the services they provide using environmental indicators, as well as
the scientific basis for action to conserve and use them sustainably.
• Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) started
2001 by the UN looks at how ecosystems have
changed over the last decade
• Also predicts future changes
• Four-year study released in 2005…
18. U1.4.5 Factors such as biodiversity, pollution, population or climate may be used quantitatively
as environmental indicators of sustainability. These factors can be applied on a range of scales
from local to global. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment gave a scientific appraisal of the
condition and trends in the world’s ecosystems and the services they provide using
environmental indicators, as well as the scientific basis for action to conserve and use them
sustainably.
S1.4.3 Discuss how environmental indicators can be used to evaluate the progress of a project
to increase sustainability, eg. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
19. U1.4.9 An ecological footprint (EF) is the area of land and water required to
sustainably provide all resources at the rate at which they are being
consume by a given population. Where the EF is greater than the area
available to the population, this is an indication of unsustainability.
• Ecological footprint (EF): the area of land and
water required to sustainably provide all resources
at the rate at which they are being consumed by a
given population
• Allows direct comparison between LEDCs and
MEDCs
• Shows sustainable (footprint smaller than country –
under carrying capacity) vs
• Unsustainable lifestyles (footprint bigger than
country – exceeds carrying capacity)
20.
21. U1.4.9 An ecological footprint (EF) is the area of land and water required to
sustainably provide all resources at the rate at which they are being
consume by a given population. Where the EF is greater than the area
available to the population, this is an indication of unsustainability.
• Global ecological footprint
22.
23.
24.
25.
26. S1.4.5 Explain the relationship
between ecological footprint (EF) and
sustainability
• Large ecological footprint shows unsustainable
lifestyle (exceeds carrying capacity)
• Small ecological footprint shows a more sustainable
lifestyle (under carrying capacity)
27. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)
• What is an EIA?
• A systematic process to identify, predict and evaluate the
environmental, social and economic impacts of a proposed
development project in order to aid decision making.
• Where did EIAs come from?
• In 1969, the US Federal government passed the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
• NEPA made a priority for Federal agencies to consider the
natural environment in any land use planning.
• Within 20 years of NEPA becoming law in the US many other
countries had also included EIAs as part of their planning
policy.
28. SI1.4.4 Environmental Impact Assessments
(EIAs) play an important role in sustainable
development
• EIAs are prepared before large development projects
proceed ex. golf course, dams, quarries, port
developments, road networks
• Need to be non-technical so people can understand
what it says
• Weighs advantages and disadvantages of the project
and alternatives
• Predicts possible impacts on habitats, species and
ecosystems
• Part of the EIA is establishing how the abiotic and biotic
community would change due to the project
• Helps developer decide if the project should go ahead
with, terminate, or modify the current plan
29. U1.4.6 Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) incorporate baseline studies
before a development project is undertaken. They assess the environmental, social
and economic impacts of the project. They are usually followed by an audit and
continued monitoring. Each country of region has different guidance on the use of
EIAs.
EIA Components
1. Scoping: baseline study (identifying impacts)
2. Predicting: scale of potential impacts
3. Mitigation: limiting the effect of impacts to
acceptable limits
4. Monitoring: change during and after the
development.
30. U1.4.6 Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) incorporate baseline studies
before a development project is undertaken. They assess the environmental, social
and economic impacts of the project. They are usually followed by an audit and
continued monitoring. Each country of region has different guidance on the use of
EIAs.
1. Scoping/baseline study tries to (adapted form Kubo et al.)
• Assess present environmental quality
• Identify key environmental factors, which may influence project design
(site lay-out, etc);
• Quantify possible changes to the microclimate, biodiversity, scenic and
amenity value
• Identify environmentally significant factors that could prevent project
development.
• Identify sensitive issues or areas requiring mitigation or compensation;
• Provide input data to impact prediction models; and
• Provide baseline data against which the results of future monitoring
programs can be compared.
31. U1.4.6 Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) incorporate baseline studies
before a development project is undertaken. They assess the environmental, social
and economic impacts of the project. They are usually followed by an audit and
continued monitoring. Each country of region has different guidance on the use of
EIAs.
Baseline looks at
• Environmental
• Ecology
• Habitat type and
abundance – total area of
each type
• Species list – flora and
fauna
• Species diversity
• List of endangered
species
• Geology
• Land use – type and
coverage
• Soil – quality, fertility, pH
• Hydrology – volume,
discharge, flows, water quality
• Social
• Human populations
present
• Noise
• Traffic
• Visual appearance
• Health
• Economic
• Cost
• Benefit
• Jobs created
32. U1.4.6 Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) incorporate baseline studies
before a development project is undertaken. They assess the environmental, social
and economic impacts of the project. They are usually followed by an audit and
continued monitoring. Each country of region has different guidance on the use of
EIAs.
2. Predicting: possible impacts on habitats, species
and ecosystems
3. Mitigation
• May lead to changes in the development to avoid
negative environmental impacts
• Limit the potential environmental impact
associated with the development
4. Monitoring: change during and after the
development
33. U1.4.7 EIAs provide decision makers with information in order
to consider the environmental impact of a project. There is not
necessarily a requirement to implement an EIA’s proposals and
many socio-economic factors may influence the decisions
made.
34. S1.4.4 Evaluate the use of EIAs
U1.4.8 Criticisms of EIAs include the lack of a standard practice or training
for practitioners, the lack of a clear definition of system boundaries and the
lack of inclusion of indirect impacts.
EIA Weaknesses
• Difficult to collect a full data set; how big an area (boundaries of
the system)? how many variables?
• EIA may be limited by the quality of the baseline study
• Often focuses on biophysical issues (often a fault of poor terms of
reference)
• Hard to quantify the costs of damaging the environment
• Hard to identify indirect impacts
• Expensive; easily hundreds of millions
• Where environment, social and economic aspects are addressed,
they are not always addressed in an integrated way – EIA reports
tend to present them as separate chapters
• EIA is a prediction; speculative due to complexity of natural
systems and uncertainty about feedback mechanisms
• This makes environmental decisions more difficult
35. S1.4.4 Evaluate the use of EIAs
U1.4.8 Criticisms of EIAs include the lack of a standard practice or training
for practitioners, the lack of a clear definition of system boundaries and the
lack of inclusion of indirect impacts.
EIA Benefits
• EIAs at least provide some analysis to change the development
plans to reduce the impact
• Argued that any improvements to the development outweighs
the uncertainty of EIAs
• EIAs improve long-term viability of many projects
• Offers alternative projects which may have more positive
outcomes
• EIAs provide an opportunity to learn from experience of similar
projects and avoid the (often high) costs of subsequently
mitigating unforeseen negative and damaging impacts.
• Depends who does the EIA and if they have any involvement with
company
• Certain countries often ignore the EIA findings or prioritize
economic concerns
36. Practice question: Outline the components of an Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) and justify your personal viewpoint on the value of EIAs in
the environmental decision making process. Refer to a specific EIA in your
answer. (7 marks)
37. Practice question: Outline the components of an Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) and justify your personal viewpoint on the value of EIAs in
the environmental decision making process. Refer to a specific EIA in your
answer. (7 marks)
EIA requires the production/evaluation of a baseline study;
analysis of baseline study and development character used to predict
environmental impact of development;
EIA also addresses mitigation of potential environmental impact associated
with development;
EIA is therefore one important tool that may be used to inform environmental
decision-making;
EIA may lead to changes in the development-avoiding negative environmental
impact;
EIA may be limited by quality of baseline study;
in certain countries the findings of the EIA are often ignored/take second place
to economic concerns;
environmental impact prediction is speculative due to the complexity of
natural systems and the uncertainty of feedback mechanisms thus making
environmental decisions more difficult;
Responses do not need to reflect a balance of values but the personal
viewpoint must be fully justified.
7 max Award [5 max] if no reference is made to a specific EIA.
38. Visit ProjectEd for more resources
https://sites.google.com/a/dwightlondon.org/projected/
39. Works Cited
• International Baccalaureate Organization. Diploma Programme
Environmental systems and societies guide. The Hague: IB Publishing
Ltd, Feb. 2015. PDF.
• Kubo, B. M., J. O. Were, and G. N. Wetang’ula. "Environmental Baseline
Studies for Geothermal Developments." (2009): n. pag. National Energy
Authority. Orkustonfnun, 22 Nov. 2009. Web. 15 Aug. 2015.
<http://www.os.is/gogn/unu-gtp-sc/UNU-GTP-SC-10-0108a.pdf>.
• Rutherford, Jill. Environmental Systems and Societies. Oxford: OUP, 2015.
Print.
• "The Five Capitals." Forum for the Future. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.
<https://www.forumforthefuture.org/project/five-capitals/overview>.
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