The Environmental Crisis

Michael ItagakiSociology 102, Social Problems

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

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

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?