Module 14

Question 1

Environmental Sociology

Answer 1

-Focuses on the relationship between societies and the environment
~Study how humans affect the environment and vice versa
~Carrying capacity
*Refers to the maximum amount of life that can be sustained within an area
~Multiple actors involved with the environment
*Individuals, organizations, communities, nation-states, industries, political and economic interests, etc.
~Environmental movement
*extracting resources, ecological problem, Physical limits on economic growth

Question 2

The Social Construction of Nature

Answer 2

-American Wilderness
-Constructivist analysis
~Role of ideology and knowledge
-“Wilderness” produced from frontier mentality, the idea of pristine land allowed to remain undeveloped
-Creation of National Parks

Question 3

Facing out Environmental Challenges

Answer 3

-Hottest years on record according to national Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
~2016 was the warmest year on record
~2015 was the second warmest
~2017 was the third warmest
-Anthropocene period
~Human activity is the dominant influence on the environment and climate
-Environmental problems are social problems
~Biodiversity: 1 out of 4 mammals, 1 out of 8 birds, and 3 out of 4 plants are endangered. Threats from pollution, waste, and depletion of resources. Throwaway society.

Question 4

The treadmill of Production

Answer 4

-Capitalism is ecologically destructive, operating on the assumption that we can endlessly consume raw resources. Neglect the fact that we live on a planet with finite resources

Question 5

Treadmill of Production

Answer 5

-The constant and aggressive growth needed to sustain the modern global economy.
~Consumers and depends on constant resources extraction
~Global warming
*Carbon dioxide creates build-up that prevents warmth from escaping the earth
~Natural resource depletion
~Solid and Chemical waste
~Air and water pollution

Question 6

Climate Change Inaction Costs

Answer 6

-Trump administration releases climate report on Black Friday, November 23, 2018
~A major scientific report by 13 federal agencies produce a 1,656 page assessment
~Major findings contradict the president agenda of environmental deregulation
-Findings
~Climate change will damage up to 10% of gross domestic products by 2100
~$141 billion from heat related deaths
~$118 billion from sea level rise
~$32 billion from infrastructure damage
~American companies should expect greater disruptions from environmental damage harming production and workers

Question 7

Environmental Skepticism

Answer 7

-The organization of denial: Conservative think thanks and environmental skepticism
-Method: Content analysis of 141 environmentally skeptical book published between 1972 and 2005
~92% of books, mostly published in the U.S., linked to conservative think tanks and are sponsored by corporations and economic elites
~90% espouse environmental skepticism
-Conclusion
~Environmental skepticism: is a tactic of an elite-driven counter-movement designed to combat environmentalism
~It seeks to influence public opinion as well as government policy by way of anti-regulation and anti-liability of corporations
~The success of this tactic has contributed to the weakening of U.S. commitment of environmental protection