Can an individual have multiple conflicting EVSs?

Yes, an individual can have multiple conflicting Environmental Value Systems (EVSs).

Environmental Value Systems (EVSs) are the worldviews or ideologies that an individual or group has towards environmental issues. These systems are shaped by cultural, religious, economic and socio-political contexts. It is possible for an individual to have multiple conflicting EVSs due to various factors such as personal experiences, education, and exposure to different cultures or ideologies.

For instance, an individual might have been raised in a culture that values the preservation of nature for its intrinsic value, forming a deep-ecologist EVS. However, if the same individual later pursues a career in a sector that prioritises economic growth over environmental conservation, they might also develop a technocentric EVS. These two EVSs are in conflict as the deep-ecologist perspective views nature as having inherent worth beyond human utility, while the technocentric perspective sees nature as a resource to be managed and used for human benefit.

Moreover, education plays a significant role in shaping our EVSs. Through learning, an individual might be exposed to various perspectives on environmental issues. For example, they might learn about the anthropocentric perspective, which places human needs and interests at the centre of environmental considerations. This could conflict with a previously held ecocentric perspective, which views humans as a part of the ecosystem with no more inherent value than other species.

Furthermore, personal experiences can also lead to conflicting EVSs. For example, an individual who has experienced the negative impacts of environmental degradation might develop a strong ecocentric EVS. However, if the same individual also experiences economic hardship, they might also develop a utilitarian EVS, which supports the exploitation of nature for economic gain.

In conclusion, it is indeed possible for an individual to have multiple conflicting EVSs. This is because our EVSs are not static, but rather, they evolve and change over time based on our experiences, education, and exposure to different cultures and ideologies.