The three labels at Higher Level: At HL, use the labels to explain a real conflict, then show where they break down: most real plans mix all three.
Practise this as you read
- Sort each strategy in a plan into its approach.
- Judge which approach does most, and why.
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A sinking delta, three plans: Floods in the Senna river delta get worse every year. Three groups each have a plan.
Ecocentric
- Nature first.
- "Let the wetlands flood again."
Anthropocentric
- People manage nature.
- "Zone where people may build."
Technocentric
- Technology fixes it.
- "Build flood barriers and pumps."
Three broad ways of classifying environmental perspectives.
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An ecocentric perspective gives the natural world first place. Wetlands have intrinsic value, beyond any use to people.
Ecocentric plan for the delta
- Restore wetlands that soak up floodwater.
- Move homes away from the riverbanks.
- Stop draining new land.
Strengths
- Works with nature, cheaply.
- Brings back habitats.
Limits
- Farmers and families must move.
- Takes years to recover.
An anthropocentric perspective puts people at the centre as careful managers. It splits into many views, from strict rules to gentle nudges.
Anthropocentric plan for the delta
- Zoning laws: no new building on floodplains.
- Insurance and taxes that reward safer land use.
- Public meetings to agree a plan.
Strengths
- Acts now, for everyone.
- Needs little new money.
Limits
- Hard to enforce on existing homes.
- Can be unpopular.
Management, not domination: Anthropocentric is responsible stewardship. 'Humans may do as they please' is not credited.
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A technocentric perspective expects engineering and innovation to solve problems while growth continues.
Technocentric plan for the delta
- Storm-surge barriers across the river mouth.
- Pumping stations.
- Raised roads and homes on stilts.
Strengths
- Protects the city quickly.
- Lets farming and industry carry on.
Limits
- Very expensive to build and run.
- Treats the flood, not the cause.
The delta's planning board funds a barrier, a zoning law and a wetland park together.
Labels as tools: The three categories overlap. People hold a complex range of positions that change over time and context.
Useful
- They group solutions.
- They explain disagreements.
Imperfect
- Real plans combine them.
- Other schemes classify differently.
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How this comes up: Paper 2 part (c) [9]: how effective is one approach compared with another, for a named problem?
To what extent is a technocentric approach the most effective way to protect a river delta from flooding?
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Presentation: Short paragraphs, one point each, and a conclusion that takes a clear position.