BUILDING BLOCKS FOR R.E.B.:

GET THE LANGUAGE RIGHT!

BELIEF: An idea which a person holds to be true.

VALUE: The worth a person (or groups of people) place on something.

POSITION: When a person has a point of view about something.

ISSUE: A matter about which two or more parties can not agree.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM: Involves humans, the environment, and the interaction between them. Usually threatens some aspect of human well-being.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE: Includes humans, the environment, and the interaction between the two. Also involves differing beliefs and values which lead to differing positions regarding the solution of an issue.

PLAYERS: Those who participate in an issue.

SOLUTION: A person's (or a group of persons) proposed means of addressing an environmental problem.

Definitions adapted from Hungerford, Litherland, Peyton, Ramsey and Volk, Investigating and Evaluating Environmental Issues and Actions: Skill Development Program. Champaign, Illinois: Stipes Publishing, 1996.