Hello, my name is Gro Torsethaugen and I am your instructor for BI SC 003
Environmental Science. This is lesson 1: Environmentalism and Worldviews.
Let’s start by looking at the learning objectives. At the end of lesson 1 you should be
able to explain the multidisciplinary field of environmental science, outline the
history of the environmental movement in the US, outline and explain the steps of the
scientific method, be aware of the importance of critical thinking, outline the most
common environmental worldviews and determine your own personal world view.
As we discuss various environmental issues it will be helpful to keep in mind that not
everyone see the world the way you do; what is right and wrong for you in terms of
environmental behavior might not be the same for others. This week you will also
practice locating and evaluating information sources, an essential skill in this
environmental science course.
• Explain the mul tidisciplinary field of Environmental Sc ience.
• Outline the history of environmentalism in the United States from pragmatic
resource conservation to the modern concepts of sustainability and g lobal
citizenship.
• Outline and explain the steps of the scientific method
• Sharpen your critical thinking skills.
• Outline the most common environmental worldviews.
• Determine your personal worldview with the hope that this heightened sense of
self-awareness will aid you in becoming more adept at working with others whose
worldviews are different from your own.
•Practice locating and evaluating information sources about environmental issues.
© Penn State Biology -­‐ BISC 003: Environmental Science Gro Torsethaugen 2 So what is environmental science? Well, compared to many other sciences it is a
relatively young science, the first college courses in environmental science were
not offered until the 60s. Many different disciplines come together in
environmental science, including biology, chemistry, physics, geography, political
science, economics and even some philosophy. As you work through the course
you may be able to add other disciplines to this figure. As the text book points out,
the challenge to finding solutions to many environmental problems is often more
related to politics and economics than to understanding the science underlying the
problem.
© Penn State Biology -­‐ BISC 003: Environmental Science Gro Torsethaugen 3 As you work through this course you will be reading about and discussing many different
environmental problems. Whenever you read about an environmental problem identify the
following four: causes, effects, solutions and connections. First consider the various factors that
may be causing this problem. It could be caused by one or more natural factors, human activities,
or a combination of both. What are the various effects associated with this problem and what can
we do to solve it. And finally how does this problem relate to other environmental problems?
Some factors or activities contribute to multiple environmental problems. Cause A in this figure
contributes both to effects A and B. And one observed effect may be caused by multiple factors,
as illustrated by cause A and B both contributing to effect B.
Some solutions (A and B in this figure) are directed towards one or more effects, this is typically
clean-up type solutions. While other solutions go directly to the cause, like solution C affecting
cause B. These are typically prevention type solutions. We will get back to prevention vs cleanup later in the semester.
Because of the complexity of nature, solving one environmental problem may solve others at the
same time, like solution B affecting both effects B and C in this figure. Or in some cases, the
solution to one problem can cause other environmental problems! It is therefore important to
carefully study causes and effects, and think critically about solutions. Just jumping on the latest
“go green” bandwagon might not benefit the environment as much as expected.
© Penn State Biology -­‐ BISC 003: Environmental Science Gro Torsethaugen 4 Chapter 1 in the text book outlines some of the environmental problems or challenges we are faced with today.
When you start reading about environmental problems it may feel overwhelming and depressing, it may seem
like everything we do negatively affects the environment. It is impossible to eliminate our effect on the
environment so we need to focus on realistic ways we can reduce our impact. Instead of making a list of the
major environmental problems, let us make a list of solutions or a “Call to Action” list instead.
To live more sustainably we should do what we can to
•Protect and preserve biodiversity and natural habitats
•Ensure a safe and clean water supply for humanity and nature
•Slow the buildup of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere to
lessen global climate change
•Increase efforts to reduce air, water, and solid waste pollution
•Develop renewable energy alternatives while continuing efforts to conserve energy and
increase energy efficiency
•Keep pace with food production and improve food distribution
•Slow the growth of the human population while facilitating demographic transition such
that all humanity can share in the benefits of a post-industrial economy
•Work towards more sustainable consumerism
© Penn State Biology -­‐ BISC 003: Environmental Science Gro Torsethaugen 5 But before look at today’s environmental issues in more detail, let us take a look at
how environmentalism came about, and whose ideas and thoughts today’s
environmental movement is built upon.
© Penn State Biology -­‐ BISC 003: Environmental Science Gro Torsethaugen 6 With the onset of the industrial revolution, the human population began to rapidly
increase. At about the same time, late 1700 to mid 1800s, interest in conservation
and the beginnings of the environmental movement can be seen. Pragmatic
Resource Conservation advocated protection and preservation of the environment
for the benefit of human society. They realized some of the many benefits we get
from healthy ecosystems. Though this may seem somewhat callous and selfserving, without this start, the National Wildlife Refuges, an expanded national
forest system, and government protection of major waterways would not have
gotten its start.
George Perkins Marsh published “Man and Nature” in 1864, which set the stage
for the first major phase of the environmental movement. US President Theodore
Roosevelt and his chief conservation advisor Gifford Pinchot were among those
influenced by Marsh. Pinchot became the first chief for the newly formed Forest
Service. He was also a governor of Pennsylvania, and some of you may have
visited Gifford Pinchot State Park located close to York, PA.
© Penn State Biology -­‐ BISC 003: Environmental Science Gro Torsethaugen 7 Moral and aesthetic nature preservation, which is considered the second phase, was
first exemplified by Henry David Thoreau, but was given a voice at the turn of the
20th century by John Muir and later Aldo Leopold. Biocentric preservation as
advocated by Muir and others stresses the importance of preserving nature for its
aesthetic and spiritual value rather than solely for economic benefit. Though allied
with Roosevelt in a desire to preserve some of the nation's wild beauty, Muir took
exception to the idea that the only reason to preserve nature was for human
economic gain. In the writings of Muir, one can see the foundations of modern
ideas of stewardship and even ecocentrism, where the environment should be
protected for the benefit of all organisms, not just humans.
© Penn State Biology -­‐ BISC 003: Environmental Science Gro Torsethaugen 8 Rachel Carson and her pivotal book “Silent Spring” signals the start of the third
phase, the modern environmental movement. David Brower and Barry Commoner
also made significant contributions to this phase. The focus of the 1960s onward
was on pollution concerns and environmental health. The expansion of the use of
chemicals was initially viewed as a boon to humanity, but the words of Carson and
others revealed the darker side of chemical usage. Concerns regarding the use of
pesticides expanded to other issues. The first Earth Day was held in 1972, and by
the end of the 1970s, the modern environmental movement had an established
agenda.
© Penn State Biology -­‐ BISC 003: Environmental Science Gro Torsethaugen 9 Which brings us to the 4th and current phase of the environmental movement; a focus on global
citizenship and sustainability are the hallmarks of the current phase. In the 21st century,
concerns about preserving natural resources, pollution prevention, and protecting biodiversity
are coupled with concern for the future of the human race. The push is towards a sustainable
society. Sustainable development supports the ability of a system to survive in the future,
including using resources in such a way as to not deplete or degrade those resources. A truly
sustainable society balances the need to protect the environment and protect human life as well
—environmentally, economically, and culturally around the world.
The former prime minister of Norway, former leader for the World Health Organization and
also the first environmental minister in the world, who I also happen to share a first name with,
Gro Harlem Brundtland, was the first to define sustainable development as “meeting the needs
of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Wangari Maathai founded the green belt movement and contributed to the planting of more than
40 million trees in Kenya and beyond. She was the first African woman to receive the Nobel
Peace Prize for her reforestation projects.
And I am sure you can think of other individuals and organizations that are influential in today’s
environmental movement.
© Penn State Biology -­‐ BISC 003: Environmental Science Gro Torsethaugen 10 This is probably a review for most of you, but it is important to understand the scientific method
when studying any type of science. Scientists typically start with an observation, it may be
something they see out in nature or something they read or hear about. They then formulate a
question and do some background research to find out what is already known based on previous
scientific experiments and observations. They then state a hypothesis, which is a prediction of
the results or a testable statement. One example of a hypothesis could be “If a large amount of
oil is dumped into the Gulf of Mexico, many fish will die”. An experiment is then designed and
conducted to test the hypothesis. This could include counting the number of oil stained fish
washed up on shore and floating in the water, as was done after the big oil spill in 2010. This is
compared to the number of dead fish typically found in the area, prior to the oil spill. This
would be the control in the experiment. The data are analyzed and conclusions are drawn, for
example “Large amounts of oil dumped into the Gulf of Mexico did kill a large number of fish”.
In this example, the hypothesis was supported by the results. The scientists that conducted the
experiment can then publish their results in a peer-reviewed scholarly journal. If the conclusion
does not support the hypothesis they may go back to state a new hypothesis and start over again.
Keep this process in mind when you read about scientific research, and when you ask questions
and collect information to make your own conclusions.
© Penn State Biology -­‐ BISC 003: Environmental Science Gro Torsethaugen 11 Environmental world views relate to how we believe the world works, what our own role in the
world should be and what we believe is right and wrong in terms of environmental behavior. So
before we start discussing environmental problems and solutions it is important to be aware that
not everyone views the world the same way, and also consider the various factors that have shaped
our own world-views.
© Penn State Biology -­‐ BISC 003: Environmental Science Gro Torsethaugen 12 Atomistic, or individual-centered, world views can be divided into two main categories; anthropogenic or human
centered and biocentric or life/animal centered.
Within the anthropogenic world view there are four sub groups:
The No Problem world view could also be called technological optimist. People with this worldview believe that
technological advances will solve all problems—"someone else will figure it out so I don't have to worry about. “
People with the Free Market worldview believe a robust economy will take care of environmental problems, no or
very little government regulation is necessary to protect the environment.
Responsible Planetary Management is sometimes described as "enlightened self interest." Think of this one as the
modern day version of "pragmatic resource management." People with this worldview believe it is worthwhile to
protect the environment as it protects humans. Just like Teddy Roosevelt, the "RPM" folks believe that government
intervention is necessary, but should be limited and that human needs should come first.
Stewardship: People with this worldview believe that humans have an ethical responsibility to care for earth
beyond just self-interest. People should "tend the earth like a garden“; we should manage the environment not only
for our own benefit, but as a duty to earth and future generations. This is the modern day version of John Muir’s
"moral and aesthetic nature preservation.“
Within the biocentric world view there is
--Hierarchical Animal Rights Worldview where animals are put on pedestals, but some animals have more rights
than others—humans should protect all animals that do not threaten humans.
--All-Inclusive Animal Rights Worldview: where all organisms, or at least animals, have intrinsic value equal to
that of humans.
© Penn State Biology -­‐ BISC 003: Environmental Science Gro Torsethaugen 13 Then there is the more Holistic, Ecocentric or Earth-Centered Worldview:
For this worldview, the focus is no longer on the individual but on the
whole system.
• Nature exists for all species, not just humans.
• Most resources have a definite limit and can be depleted.
• Not all economic growth is good; if it is environmentally
degrading it should be curtailed.
• Success depends not on management but on understanding
how earth sustains itself, cooperation with nature and each
other is essential.
© Penn State Biology -­‐ BISC 003: Environmental Science Gro Torsethaugen 14 As in any college course, critical thinking is essential when studying
Environmental Science. Critical thinking is defined as “logical, orderly, analytical
assessment of ideas, evidence and arguments” in the text book. Check out the
questions for Baloney Detection listed in table 1.3 in your text book. I also
recommend that you watch the 5 minute critical thinking video included in the
course video library: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OLPL5p0fMg
Thinking critically is always important, but maybe especially when you read
information posted on the World Wide Web. Having access to an enormous amount
of information is wonderful, but also challenging. Information literacy, an essential
skill, is the ability to locate and use information in an effective and responsible
manner. I recommend that you get into the habit of evaluating information sources
you come across for currency, authority, accuracy and potential bias.
© Penn State Biology -­‐ BISC 003: Environmental Science Gro Torsethaugen 15 After you have read the required reading in the
text book and completed this lecture, check the
syllabus for this lesson's assignments.
If you have questions about course content and
assignments please post them in the Cyber Cafe
so that your classmates may benefit from the
answers also.
For more personal questions about grades,
extensions etc. contact me through ANGEL e-
After you have read the required reading in the text book and completed this
lecture, check the syllabus for this week’s assignments.
If you have questions about course content and assignments please post them in
the “Ask Gro” discussion forum under the Communicate tab in ANGEL so that
your classmates may benefit from the answers also. For more personal
questions about grades, extensions etc, contact me through ANGEL e-mail.
© Penn State Biology -­‐ BISC 003: Environmental Science Gro Torsethaugen 16