Population and Environment

1. Population and Environment

2. The Ecological Environment • Sociological inquiry and the environment • Social theory • A multi-dimensional solution to a problem that should unite all disciplines

3. The Health of the Earth • Climate Change • Ozone depletion • Pollution (Water, air and land) • Nitrogen and phosphorous pollution • Depletion of natural resources • Deforestation and desertification • Threats to Biodiversity • Environmental injustice & global inequality

4. Why are many people not concerned about environmental problems?

5. ???Underline Philosophical Assumption??? • Is it the right of humanity to assume that this world was made for people, and that all other species were placed here for our use and exploitation? • Are humans separated from nature and above nature? • Will this belief lead to the total destruction of the planet and humanity itself?

6. Sociological Perspectives on the Environment • Functionalist • Maintaining balance • Interactionist • People’s behaviors and understandings of environmental issues • Conflict theory • Who benefits from status quo? Why is status quo (lax regulation) not changing? • Which groups are competing in influencing public perception?

7. Corporate Interests and the Environment • Have corporate interests influenced the public debate concerning social problems?

8. Corporate Interests and the Environment …Concerning the environment, elite interests are far less subtle • Corporate Suasion • Environmentalists seek regulation, while most corporations are highly opposed • Are the interests of large multinational corporations the same as the public’s interests?

9. Corporate Suasion: Exploiting Scientific Uncertainty • Regarding issues of ozone depletion and global warming, there is scientific uncertainty, which is exploited for corporate interests. • I.e-Tobacco, asbestos, and lead industries • Efforts to postpone regulations on greenhouse emissions have followed this pattern as evidence surfaces to the dismay of skeptics: • 1) There was no evidence, then… • 2)Global warming was not due to human activity, now skeptics argue… • 3)Consequences won’t be too severe

10. What are the causes of environmental problems?

11. Social Causes of Environmental Problems • Population growth • Industrialization and economic development • Dependence on energy • Capitalism and economic growth • Growth=consumption; increased consumption=environmental deterioration (Polluting emissions, resource depletion, and generation of waste) • Cultural values • Attitudes such as individualism, materialism, and consumerism

12. Cultural Values and Attitudes • Individualism- Putting individual interests over collective welfare • Recycling • Consumerism- the belief that personal happiness depends on the purchasing of material possessions • In U.S. Quality of life is often related to one’s ability to purchase items • Americans are bombarded with thousands of advertisements each day

13. Inequality and the Environment • Environmental Injustice and Conflict theory • Environmental justice movement- A fusion of civil rights and environmental activism