Chapter 13 Environmental Problems

Myth or Fact? Environmental pollution did not become a problem until the 1960s and 1970s. Environmental conditions deteriorated in the last half of the twentieth century. It was not until the 1960s that serious attention was focused on the issue. Whereas many conditions have deteriorated, there have also been significant improvements. MYTH FACT

Environmental Sociology Ecology Branch of biology that studies relationships between living organisms and environment The environment Refers to conditions and circumstances surrounding and affecting a particular group of living creatures An ecosystem A complex, interrelated network of life and non-life forms Interact to produce an exchange of materials Each ecosystem achieves a natural balance

Environmental Problems The most severe environmental damage in the past century The product of human beings The social conditions that affect the impact that humans have on environment Formula developed by biologists Paul and Ann Ehrlich I = P x A x T Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology

Social Sources of Environmental Problems Population Growth Affluence Technology Economic Growth Cultural Values

Social Sources of Environmental Problems: Population Growth Carrying capacity Upper-size limit imposed on a population by its environmental resources Cannot be permanently exceeded Determining carrying capacity of an ecosystem Complicated by what is considered socially acceptable Some ecosystems have been made unlivable When are there too many people for the earth to support? Ecological footprint quiz

Social Sources of Environmental Problems: Affluence Achieving material comfort and affluence Consuming resources Creating waste Consumer products List of typical lifestyle items Other nations want to achieve our standard of living The “phenomenon of rising expectations” We may exceed carrying capacity of earth If others achieve Western levels of affluence

Social Sources of Environmental Problems: Technology Two-edged sword: Positive aspects: Makes life more comfortable Enables production of foods and medicines Can help reduce environmental damage Negative aspects: Short-term rewards without consideration of impact

Social Sources of Environmental Problems: Economic Growth If a nation’s population is growing Economy must produce more to provide the same standard of living Provides increasing levels of affluence Capitalism stresses ideology of growth Drive to expand Find new markets Worldwide pressures toward economic growth and competition Corporations often ignore environmental damage as cost of doing business Pressure for economic growth in less developed nations Raising low standards of living Controversy over some policies

Social Sources of Environmental Problems: Cultural Values Supports practices that damage the environment Mastery Religious beliefs that humans are superior Mastery over the earth and its creatures Progress People’s standard of living should keep rising Individualism Individual desires and achievements more important than collective accomplishments and goals Environmental concerns often focus on what is good for the whole

The Social Construction of Environmental Problems Process of identifying and defining environmental problems Raising consciousness Early environmental (conservation) movement (1890-1900s) National Parks Sierra Club, Audubon Society Modern environmental movement (1960s) Carson’s “Silent Spring”, Ehrlich’s “The Population Bomb” Environmental Defense Fund, Greenpeace Legislation (1970s) Clean Air Act Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Media coverage Publicizing the problems Convincing people of need to address

and the Modern Environmental Movement Santa Barbara and the Modern Environmental Movement

Santa Barbara Oil Spill Union Oil platform 6 miles out from Summerland January 29, 1969 11 days 200,000 gallons of crude oil 800 square miles of ocean 35 miles of coastline Renewable and nonrenewable resources Declining biodiversity

The Extent of Environmental Problems Water Supply and Pollution Solid and Toxic Wastes Radioactive Wastes Land Degradation Declining Biodiversity Air Pollution Pesticides and Other Chemicals Energy Resources

The Extent of Environmental Problems Water Supply and Pollution Acid rain Eutrophication Solid and Toxic Wastes U.S. the world’s “trashiest” people Residues of production, problematic to dispose Radioactive Wastes Lifespan of wastes NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) syndrome of disposal Land Degradation Desertification Deforestation

Levels of Various Air Pollutants

Levels of Lead Emitted into the Air

Toxic Chemical Releases by Industry

Worst Hazardous Waste Sites

Municipal Garbage

The Extent of Environmental Problems Declining Biodiversity Loss of many species Could be of use to humans, or necessary to support life Air Pollution Threats from various sources Concern about “greenhouse effect” and “global warming” Pesticides and Other Chemicals Increase in synthetic organic chemical production Longer lasting and less biodegradable Energy Resources Affluent nations use inordinate shares Most existing forms of energy are finite

Energy Consumption Among Nations

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Future Prospects Collective Action by Interest Groups Environmental and grassroots groups Moderating Economic Growth Unrestrained capitalism is a threat Government Regulation Endangered Species Act Environmental Partnerships Stakeholders collaborate efforts

Future Prospects Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Renewable Energy Resources Consume less, reuse and recycle more Renewable Energy Resources Solar energy, wind, geothermal, biomass International Cooperation Kyoto Protocol New Cultural Values and Social Institutions Sustainability, deep ecology, eco-terrorism