Value |
Processes A sequence of actions, natural and/or cultural, that shape and change environments, places and societies. Some examples of geographic processes include erosion, migration, desertification and globalisation. |
Sustainability Involves adopting ways of thinking and behaving that allow individuals, groups, and societies to meet their needs and aspirations without preventing future generations from meeting theirs. Sustainable interaction with the environment may be achieved by preventing, limiting, minimising or correcting environmental damage to water, air and soil, as well as considering ecosystems and problems related to waste, noise, and visual pollution. |
Patterns May be spatial: the arrangement of features on the earth’s surface; or temporal: how characteristics differ over time in recognisable ways. |
Environments May be natural and/or cultural. They have particular characteristics and features which can be the result of natural and/or cultural processes. The particular characteristics of an environment may be similar to and/or different from another. A cultural environment includes people and/or the built environment. |
Change Involves any alteration to the natural or cultural environment. Change can be spatial and/or temporal. Change is a normal process in both natural and cultural environments. It occurs at varying rates, at different times and in different places. Some changes are predictable, recurrent or cyclic, while others are unpredictable or erratic. Change can bring about further change. |
Interaction Involves elements of an environment affecting each other and being linked together. Interaction incorporates movement, flows, connections, links and interrelationships which work together and may be one or two way interactions. Landscapes are the visible outcome of interactions. Interaction can bring about environmental change. |
Perspectives Ways of seeing the world that help explain differences in decisions about, responses to, and interactions with environments. Perspectives are bodies of thought, theories or worldviews that shape people’s values and have built up over time. They involve people’s perceptions (how they view and interpret environments) and viewpoints (what they think) about geographic issues. Perceptions and viewpoints are influenced by people’s values (deeply held beliefs about what is important or desirable). |