the environmental crisis michael itagaki sociology 102, social problems
TRANSCRIPT
The Environment: Global Warming/Climate Change
“An Inconvenient Truth” Rising carbon dioxide levels Correspond with rising
temperatures Ramifications?
Water: stronger storms/drought Artic/Greenland: sea level Climate: ecological niches
The Environment: Global Warming
“An Inconvenient Truth” Handout: 10 things to do, online We have technology/resources to
reduce our CO2 output and thus
slow global warming process.
The Environment: Global Warming
“An Inconvenient Truth” What was a
surprising/shockingfact in the film?
What can we do?
Discussion: “An Inconvenient Truth”
Confronted with these issues How does it make you feel about our
planet? What are some practical things we can
do?
The Environment: Global Warming
“An Inconvenient Truth” Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change Increase in temperatures caused by
greenhouse gases Temperature and sea levels will rise
regardless Sea levels will likely rise 7”-23”
The Environment: Global Warming
“An Inconvenient Truth” Caveats to consider
CO2 influence temperature? Temperature influence CO2 ? Both
The Environment: Global Warming
“An Inconvenient Truth” So what do you want to do? Informed decisions Do you believe you can make a
difference?
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
On-going destruction of our environment Prehistoric times: Burn forests Mesopotamia: River irrigation Mayans: Clearing of trees, soil
erosion
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
Parable of the tragedy of the commons (p. 457)
Is our world’s “pasture” limited? A rationalization to continue our
own self-destructive behavior?
The Scope of the Problem
Global scope of environmental problem Interconnectedness “An Inconvenient Truth”
The Scope of the Problem
Pollution Accumulation in air, water, land of
substances harmful to living things Presence of substances that interfere
withsocially desired uses of air, water, land orfood
Social definition of pollution: What peoplesay and believe is pollution
The Scope of the Problem
Pollution Pollutants introduced at
exponential rate Earth’s finite capacity to absorb
pollutants Long delay between introduction of
pollutant and indication of harm to environment
Symbolic Interactionism
How did the environment become a social problem? Conservation movement Shift to environmental concern
Professionals/interest groups Government agencies News media Public
Symbolic Interactionism
Ecosystem Interconnected system on the
earth Now, how do we connect to
future?
Functionalism
Global System: Interconnectedness
Ecosystem: Living organism Dysfunctions of Industrialization
Conflict Theory Environmental Groups vs. Polluters
Greenpeace, National Wildlife Federation
Industrial, corporate entities “Corporate Welfare” (p. 463) Power of U.S. Industry
Environmental injustice
Research Findings Air Pollution
Fossil fuels Autos/electricity
Waste incineration PCBs
Flourocarbon gases Damage to ozone expected to be
repaired
Research Findings Global warming
Potential effects (p. 465) Difference of opinion (Henslin)
One claim: Increase in CO2 will lower sea levels
More CO2 will increase plant growth?
National Academy of Sciences confirms threat of greenhouse effect