ENS 102
History of Environmental Standards
2
Course Description
At the end of this course students will be able to:
1. distinguish between egocentrism and anthropocentrism;
2. discuss how these two competing ideologies influenced the development of environmental
standards;
3. state the Key issues in the Rio declaration.;
4. discuss the impact of human – caused environmental damage in the society; and
5. explain how two worldviews has led to problems and delay in establishing standards.
Course Outline
History and development of environmental standards as influenced by two competing ideologies
of egocentrism and anthropocentrism. Case studies of dumping of cocoa toxic waste. Rio
declaration. The meanings and differences between the two worldviews. How this has led to
problems and delay in establishing standards, environmentalism and the increased understanding
of science and medicine, as well as advances in the measurement of factors contributing to
environmental damage. How this improved measurement has allowed scientists to further
understand the impact of human – caused environmental damage and destruction on human
health and the biodiversity which compose the natural environment and how these developments
in science and medicine have been fundamental for the setting of environmental standards.