ESS Topic 1 – Foundations of environmental systems and societies
To help you monitor your progress toward and understanding of the significant ideas of each Sub Topic the
specific applications and skill are listed in the table below. Thinking about where you are at the beginning of the
unit will be helpful in evaluating how much you have learned by the time we are done.
Knowledge Evaluation - Rate your level of understanding on the following learning goals
4 = I have mastered this skill or concept and could teach someone else,
3 = I may have questions, but can work independently on this skill or concept,
2 = I still need some practice and support, but this is familiar to me.
1 = I need a lot of practice, support and instruction, this is new material
Sub-topic 1.1 – Environmental Value Systems
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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
Sub Topic 1.1 Applications and skills
1. Define environmental value system in a general
application (not one specific system)
2. Discuss the view that environment can have its own
intrinsic value
3. Evaluate the implications of two contrasting EVSs in the
context of given environmental issues
4. Justify, using examples and evidence, how historical
influences have shaped the development of the modern
environmental movement
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Sub-topic 1.2 – Systems and models
Significant Ideas –
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A systems approach can help in the study of complex environmental issues.
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The use of systems and models simplifies interactions but may provide a more holistic view
without reducing issues to single processes.
Sub Topic 1.2 - Applications and skills
1. Construct a system diagram or model from a given set of
information
2. Evaluate the use of models as a tool in a given situation,
for example, climate change predictions.
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ESS Topic 1 – Foundations of environmental systems and societies
Sub-topic 1.3 – Energy and Equilibria
Significant Ideas –
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The laws of thermodynamics govern the flow of energy in a system and the ability to do work
Systems can exist in alternative stable states or as equilibria between which there are tipping
points
Destabilizing positive feedback mechanisms will drive systems toward these tipping points,
whereas stabilizing negative feedback mechanisms will resist such changes
Sub Topic 1.3 – Applications and skills
1. Distinguish between the first and second law of
thermodynamics
2. Compare and Contrast positive and negative feedback
loops
3. Discuss resilience in a variety of systems
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4. Evaluate the possible consequences of tipping points
Sub-topic 1.4 – Sustainability
Significant Ideas –
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All systems can be viewed through the lens of sustainability
Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs
Environmental indicators and ecological footprints can be used to assess sustainability
Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) play an important role in sustainable development
Sub Topic 1.4 - Applications and skills
1. Explain the relationship between natural capital , natural
income and sustainability
2. Discuss the value of ecosystem services to a society
3. Discuss how environmental indicators such as MA can be
used to evaluate the progress of a project in increase
sustainability
4. Evaluate the use of EIAs
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5. Explain the relationship between EFs and sustainability
ESS Topic 1 – Foundations of environmental systems and societies
Sub-topic 1.5 – Humans and Pollution
Significant Ideas –
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Pollution is a highly diverse phenomenon of human disturbance in ecosystems
Pollution management strategies can be applied at different levels
Sub Topic 1.5 – Applications and skills
1. Construct systems diagrams to show the impact of
pollutants
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of each of the three different
levels of intervention, with reference to fig. 3
3. Evaluate the uses of DDT
Process of pollution
HUMAN ACTIVITY
PRODUCING
POLLUTANT
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Level of pollution management
Altering human activity
The most fundamental level of pollution management is to
change the human activity that leads to the production of
the pollutant in the first place, by promoting alternative
technologies, lifestyles and values through:
 Campaigns
 Education
 Community groups
 Governmental legislation
 Economic incentives/disincentives
Controlling release of pollutant
RELEASE OF
POLLUTANT INTO
ENVIRONMENT
Where the activity/production is not completely stopped,
strategies can be applied at the level of regulating or
preventing the release of pollutants by:
 Legislating and regulating standards of emission
 Developing/applying technologies for extracting
pollutant from emissions
Clean-up and restoration of damaged systems
IMPACT OF
POLLUTANT ON
ECOSYSTEMS
Figure 3
Where both the above levels of management have failed,
strategies may be introduced to recover damaged
ecosystems by:
 Extracting and removing pollutant from ecosystem
 Replanting restocking lost or depleted populations
and communities
Pollution management targeted at three different levels