18 concepts the spec wants you to use precisely, drawn from the Panther database. Read them, then test yourself.
In test mode, tap a concept to reveal its definition.
The concepts
Anthropocentric(tap to reveal)- A view that places humans at the centre of everything, treating the natural world as existing purely for human use and benefit.
Biocentric equality(tap to reveal)- The radical green idea that all living things have equal moral worth and an equal right to live and flourish, not just humans.
Biodiversity(tap to reveal)- The variety of plant and animal species in a given area; ecologists see rich biodiversity as essential to a healthy ecosystem.
Buddhist economics(tap to reveal)- An alternative economic approach based on Buddhist philosophy that focuses on human wellbeing and living in harmony with nature, rather than maximising profit.
Consumerism(tap to reveal)- A culture that encourages buying and consuming goods as the main route to happiness, which ecologists criticise as environmentally unsustainable.
Decentralisation(tap to reveal)- Moving power and decision-making away from central governments and large institutions towards local communities.
Deep green ecology(tap to reveal)- Deep greens believe nature has value in its own right, not just because it is useful to people. They want radical changes to how society is organised, not just environmental regulations.Use it: Use deep green ecology to contrast with shallow green approaches. Leopold, Carson, and Merchant are all deep green thinkers. Useful for questions on the different strands of ecologism and their political implications.
Eco-anarchism(tap to reveal)- Eco-anarchists believe both governments and big business are destroying the environment. The solution is small, self-governing communities that manage their own resources sustainably.Use it: Use eco-anarchism to show the intersection of anarchism and ecologism. Bookchin's libertarian municipalism is the key framework. Contrast with eco-socialism (which may retain a transitional state).
Eco-feminism(tap to reveal)- Eco-feminists argue that the same thinking that lets men dominate women also lets humans dominate nature. To protect the environment, you also need to challenge sexism and gender inequality.Use it: Use eco-feminism to show how ecologism connects with feminist politics. Merchant is the key thinker. Contrast with other social ecology strands and with mainstream environmentalism.
Eco-socialism(tap to reveal)- Eco-socialists say capitalism is destroying the planet. To save the environment you need to replace capitalism with a system that does not depend on endless growth.Use it: Use eco-socialism to show how ecologism and socialism overlap. Contrast with green capitalism and shallow green approaches. Useful for questions on tensions and overlaps between ideologies.
Ecocentric(tap to reveal)- A view that places nature and all living things at the centre of moral value, rather than treating the environment only as a resource for humans.
Environmental consciousness(tap to reveal)- A deep awareness of your connection to and dependence on the natural world, and a personal commitment to protecting it.
Environmental ethics(tap to reveal)- Environmental ethics asks: what moral duties do we have to the natural world? Deep greens argue nature has its own rights and value, not just value because it is useful to us.Use it: Use environmental ethics to explain the deep green challenge to anthropocentric ethics. Leopold's land ethic is the key example. Contrast with shallow green views that nature is valued instrumentally.
Green capitalism(tap to reveal)- The idea that environmental problems can be solved within the existing market system, through eco-friendly businesses and green investment.
Greenwash(tap to reveal)- Greenwash is when companies or governments pretend to be green when really they are not making the serious changes needed. It is environmental PR rather than genuine action.Use it: Use greenwash to criticise shallow green capitalism from a deep green or social ecology position. Useful for questions on the limits of market-based approaches to environmental problems.
Holism(tap to reveal)- Holism means everything in nature is connected. You cannot understand one part of an ecosystem without understanding how it relates to everything else around it.Use it: Use holism to explain why ecologists reject the mechanistic worldview of industrialism. Contrast with the anthropocentric view. Leopold and Carson both draw on holistic thinking.
Industrialism(tap to reveal)- A way of organising society around large-scale factory production and economic growth, which ecologists see as damaging to the planet.
Limits to growth(tap to reveal)- The idea that the Earth's resources are finite, so indefinite economic growth is impossible and will eventually have to stop.