V. Values discussion
Answer the following questions. Then discuss your answers with your classmates.
1. What is cornucopianism?
a. It is the dominant world view.
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Environmental Science: Two World Views 11
b. It embodies the assumption that natural resources are to be
exploited for the advantage of humans, с It assumes that the natural resources are essentially infinite, d. other
2. How do you feel about cornucopianism?
a. It is good for the environment.
b. It is not good for the environment, с It is dangerous for the environment, d. other
3. What is environmentalism?
a. It is the second world view and has been gradually gaining ground.
b. It embodies the assumption that natural resources are products of the natural environment.
с It considers resources to be limited by the regenerative capacities of the natural environment, d. other
4. How do you feel about environmentalism?
a. It is good for the natural environment.
b. It is not good for the natural environment, с It is dangerous for the natural environment, d. other
5. Why are environmentalists firmly convinced that continuing the trend of increasing exploitation is unsustainable?
a. It will inevitably reach a dead end.
b. It refers to whether or not a process can be continued indefinitely, с It is like a profligate heir squandering her or his inheritance, d. other
6. What are the most prominent points to back up the argument that humanity is on a collision course with the environment's ability to provide resources?
a. Depleting of the protective ozone shield.
b. Loosing thousands of plant and animal species every year, с Global warming because of acid precipitation.
d. other
7. What is the only way to maintain human progress in positive direc tion?
a. To learn to protect the natural environment.
b. To enhance the natural environment.
c. То support all forms of life.
d. other
VI. Role-play
Choose one of the following situations to act out.
You and your colleague are cornucopians. You are going to make a joint report at the international conference on environmental issues. You are discussing what arguments in favour of cornucopianism are to be reported there.
You and your colleague are environmentalists and you are going to make a joint report at the international conference. You are discussing what arguments in favour of environmentalism are to be reported there.
Two environmentalists are discussing their feelings about cornucopianism.
Two cornucopians are discussing their feelings about environmentalism.
Two scientists are backing up the argument that humanity is on a collision course with the environment's ability to provide resources. They are innumerating the most prominent points.
A post-graduate is talking to a reporter about what is the only way to maintain human progress in a positive direction. The reporter will ask questions after a short (5 minutes) talk.
An audience (which can be the whole class) is asking an environmentalist questions about the productive capacity of the natural environment.
VII. FOR DISCUSSION AND COMPOSITION
Choose one of the following to discuss or write about.
Discuss advantages and disadvantages of two world views — cornucopianism and environmentalism.
Why is cornucopianism the dominant world view? Why has it been adopted by most peoples of the world?
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Why
does our survival depend on suitable protection and
stewardship
of the natural environment?
Why are environmentalists attacked by cornucopians? Are their accusations true?
Describe the most prominent points to back up the argument that humanity is on a collision course with the environment's ability to provide resources.
Describe what environmentalists offer. What sustainable alternatives do they offer and promote?
Discuss what there will be if humanity continues to destroy the natural environment.
What is the only way to achieve further human progress from the point of view of cornucopians?
What is the only way to maintain human progress in a positive direction from the point of view of environmentalists?