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Measuring the Environment with Thoughtful Rulers: The Importance of Environmental Indicators

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 June 2015

Jenny Henty
Jenny Henty*
Affiliation:
Monash University
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Extract

How do we ‘know’ that environmental problems exist? For most of the general public it is because scientists and other experts tell us via the print and electronic media. In affluent, urban societies we rely on scientific interpretation because we are so far removed from intimate involvement with the environment by time, space, technology and social constructions that what we are told and what we experience (sense) do not correspond. Because we do not experience our adverse impact on the environment as a loss to ourselves, our family or identifiable community, we are not motivated to change the way we think and act.

Type
Feature 2: Systems Thinking and Practice
Information
Australian Journal of Environmental Education , Volume 17 , 2001 , pp. 119 - 122
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

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