Environmental Destruction in the Past - Assignment Example

The Environmental Crisis I. The Problem in Sociological Perspective a. Environmental Destruction in the Past: The Myth of the Noble Savage Man was always highly destructive towards his environment and this was extant from the very dawn of civilization. Initially man hunted animals and brought about the extinction of a several species. In addition, he demolished vast areas of forest land. This destruction of forests reached a stage where the forests could no longer regenerate themselves and this led to the extinction of such civilizations. i. Early Humans and the Extinction of Animals Incontrovertible evidence exists, which establishes that prehistoric man made three species of large animals extinct. The conclusion that can be derived from this is that a number of species of the larger animals were obliterated from the face of the earth by these early men. This has been the contention of Luiz, Martin and Harz. 1. The Destruction of Entire Civilizations A conjecture regarding the destruction wreaked by man in ancient times is that entire civilizations were totally destroyed. Instances of such destruction are the Mesopotamians, Mayans and Anasazi. b. The Tragedy of the Commons Civilization contributed to the destruction of the environment throughout the ages. The proliferation of new technologies has led to an enhancement of the destruction of the environment. The population explosion and the hankering of a better and improved life style have also contributed to the destruction of the environment. II. The Scope of the Problem The problem can be viewed from the perspective of an interdependent system that is global. a. Threatening the Planet The population explosion, the industrialization and the drive for higher living standards have proved to be detrimental to the eco balance of earth. The principal threat to the environment has been pollution. In addition to the industrialized nations of the world, the nations that have embarked on ambitious projects in order to engender industrialization, have proved to be the major pollutants. b. Leaving a Legacy of Death The citizens of the erstwhile states of the USSR have received the curse of abandoned factories that used to manufacture biological weapons, in addition, these unfortunate people inherited large amounts of improperly disposed nuclear waste. III. Theoretical Approach The cause for the transformation of the environment into a social problem is dealt with by symbolic interactionism in conjunction with functionalism. This approach permits the study of interdependence of people and their environment. The conflict theory reveals the divergence of interests between the polluters and the environmentalists. a. Symbolic Interactionism It was established that the social problem in respect of the environment was a creation of society. However, the destruction of the environment did not receive the attention that it now does. In fact, a significant portion of society was apathetic to the wanton destruction of the environment. i. Objective Conditions and Subjective Concerns Widespread and harmful conditions that adversely affect the environment are rarely deemed to be social problems. For instance the harm caused to the environment by a polluting industrial revolution, in the US, was not recognized as a social problem for many years. ii. The Growth of Subjective Concerns By the year 1960, the destruction and harm being caused to the environment was viewed with seriousness. The various sections of society that were seized with this problem included even college students. iii. The Conservation Movement It had been the observation of several American sociologists that an interest in the environment was disclosed in the 1900s itself. During the 1900s people became aware of the damage being caused to the environment. iv. From Conservation to Environment The conservation of the environment has different connotations, it is essential to differentiate between safeguarding the environment in order to maintain a sufficient number of wild animals, which can be subsequently hunted and conserving the environment with the objective of preventing the polluting of the air that we breathe, the water that we drink and the food that we eat. The first section of society to bestow its attention on the harm being caused to the environment comprised of the professionals, who made several presentations in seminars regarding this malaise. Subsequently, several interest groups were formed that highlighted the harm being caused to the environment. After this the government was sufficiently, actuated to view this problem with the required gravity that it demanded. Finally, the press gave wide publicity and endeavored to educate the general public in this matter. b. Functionalism This theory has its origins in the interconnection between society and its environment, because if the ecosystem fails then society ceases to exist. i. The Essence of Functionalism: Interconnection Individuals are members of particular groups and these groups in their totality constitute society in its entirety. In this manner every individual is connected to society and to other individuals. ii. The Ecosystem The ecosystem comprises of an interconnected system in which humans obtain oxygen from the atmosphere, food from the flora and fauna and water from streams, rivers, lakes, etc. Any disruption of these interconnections could have a destructive cascading effect on the ecosystem. The main culprit in harming the ecosystem has been industrialization. iii. Functions and Dysfunctions of Industrialization The versatility of humans cannot be gainsaid. Whether it be the cold and forbidding icy regions, the desolate deserts, the slopes of mountains or the plains, men have tamed the habitat. The forces of nature were harnessed by man in order to improve his quality of life. Industrialization was aimed at improving this standard of life further. However, in addition to enhancing consumerism it also proved extremely harmful to the habitat and this could spell disaster to man. c. Conflict Theory This theory deals with the conflicting opinions regarding the environmental crisis, between those who seek to protect the environment and the polluters. i. Environmental Groups Greenpeace and other such environmental groups indulge in hectic lobbying to bring in legislation to protect the environment, they also indulge in litigation against those who cause damage to the environment. ii. Polluters Industrialists and manufacturers in the developed world oppose pollution control as this escalates the cost of their products. Their counterparts in the underdeveloped world are at a decided advantage as the labor is cheaper and as there are no costly pollution prevention measures to be adopted. iii. Environmental Injustice The polluting industries are generally located in areas inhabited by the poor and underprivileged. The rich, who own these industries, never live where these industries are located. IV. Research Findings The various measures to contain damage to the environment have met with limited success, because of adequate lack of pollution control. a. Air Pollution It is essentially a poison that accumulates in the human body leading to several fatal diseases. It is caused by, i. Fossil Fuels Incomplete combustion of wood, coal and petroleum causes pollution. ii. Waste Incineration The burning of garbage is another source of pollution and the burning of plastic is especially hazardous to human health. iii. Fluorocarbons The use of these substances in aerosols, refrigerants, cars, etc, has caused serious damage to the ozone layer, which has resulted in global warming. iv. Global Warming The depletion of the ozone layer due to pollution has resulted in global warming, which disrupts the ecosystem. b. Land Pollution i. The Problem of Garbage The ever increasing amount of garbage and its improper disposal could seriously pollute the land. ii. Strip Mining This type of activity also increases land pollution. c. Water Pollution i. Acid Rain The oxides of sulfur and nitrogen are emitted into the atmosphere where they combine with moisture to form sulfuric and nitric acids. These acids harm humans and monuments. ii. Mercury Rain This results from the burning of coal and damages the food chain. iii. Ground Water Ground water is contaminated with mercury, arsenic, benzene and other such pollutants. This makes the water unfit for consumption. iv. Oil Spills Pollution due to oil spills causes extensive damage to the environment and marine and bird life. d. Chemical Pollution Chemical waste is packed in containers and then buried. These containers slowly dissolve and the chemicals leak into the ground water and canals, thereby posing a grave health hazard. e. Nuclear Pollution i. Three Mile Island Accident A nuclear reactor in Three Mile Island leaked, but the damage was minimal. ii. Chernobyl In 1987, a nuclear reactor exploded in Chernobyl in the erstwhile USSR and the escaping gases were detected as far away as in the US. This was the worst nuclear disaster of all times. f. Food Pollution i. Disease Causing Germs in Food Due to lack of hygiene food is sometimes contaminated with disease causing germs. ii. Chemical Additives Some of these are food colorings, flavorings, preservatives, etc, which are harmful to the human body. iii. Profits Ahead of Health In order to maximize profits, the industries have paid scant regard to the health of the consumer and have provided him with food that is contaminated with chemicals. g. Pollution in the Industrializing Nations In addition to the pollution caused by the industrialized nations, the industrializing nations also contribute towards pollution. i. Use of Banned Chemicals A number of chemicals whose use has been proscribed in the industrialized nations can be lawfully used in the industrializing nations. ii. Production of Banned Chemicals Some chemicals that have been banned in the US are produced by the industrializing nations. iii. The Rush to Industrialize In the race to become industrialized, industrializing nations are proceeding at a breakneck speed and they thrown all caution regarding pollution to the winds. Prime examples of such nations are China and India. iv. Dumping Grounds The industrialized nations take full advantage of the poor countries and make them accept their toxic wastes. India receives a lot of such toxic waste from the giant US corporations. h. Getting the Other Side i. The Optimistic Environmentalists This group of people contends that the situation is not as serious as has been shown. 1. The Technological Fix The belief of this group is that improving technology will be able to overcome the dangers posed by pollution. 2. Environmentalism can cause Disease However, even these people accept the fact that such measures could worsen the situation. 3. Things are getting better These people also contend that life expectancy is related to the improvement of the environment. i. Of Special Concern: The Tropical Rain Forests Despite the importance of rain forests to maintain the oxygen levels in the atmosphere, significant areas of these forests are cleared by humans. This has caused a great deal of damage to the environment. j. Energy and Resources The myth of limitless availability of gasoline in the US was shattered by the 1973 OPEC embargo. i. The Pessimistic Environmentalists This group of people contend that citizens of the US have become dependent on fuels whose quantity is limited. ii. The Water Shortage In addition to the shortage of gasoline, there is a water shortage looming in the near future. At present only one percent of the available water is fit for consumption. iii. Minerals, Too Many of the nations are competing fiercely with each other, in order to garner the meager and non – increasing mineral resources of the world, like copper, aluminum, zinc, etc. iv. Optimistic Environmentalists These people do not accept the views held by the pessimists. 1.Resources are not Getting Scarcer These people do not accept that resources are getting scarcer. 2. Energy This group contends that the perceived scarcity of natural resources can be attributed to wars, monopolistic practices, etc and not an actual depletion of resources. 3. Technology Developing technology takes care of the problem of depletion of a particular resource by inventing processes that do not depend on such a scarce resource. k. Reconciling the Positions i. Framework of Interpretation The perspective from which the facts are interpreted will depend on whether it is assumed that the environment is being destroyed or not. 1. Science at Work With the progress of science, it will become clear as to whether the environmental pessimists or optimists are correct. ii. Implications of the Frameworks It will be beneficial to all concerned if this debate is not colored by political or economic considerations and if it is allowed to proceed on the basis of logic and facts. V. Social Policy a. Opposing Viewpoints and Overarching Solutions i. The Steady State Society The environmental pessimists recommend the stabilization of industrial growth at present levels, so that there will be a check on the depletion of natural resources and a check on the increase of pollution, which will permit the development of alternative energy sources and provide time to solve the crisis. ii. The Scaled Back Society This perspective recommends the scaling down of industrial activity to some previous optimal level. iii. The Expanding Society The exponents of this theory state that The Steady State Society and The Scaled Back Society theories are unviable and that industrial output and the wealth of the world can be increased tremendously. b. Pollution Control i. Preventing the Misuse of Toxic Chemicals 1. International Controls The use of toxic chemicals should be disallowed globally. 2. Holding Industry Accountable Some of the states in the US have enacted legislation that makes it mandatory for employers to inform their employees regarding the hazardous chemicals to which they will be exposed at work. This has to be extended to the remaining states of the Union. ii. Preventing Food Pollution The use of chemical additives to enhance the flavor, color and appearance of food is uncalled for and presents a hazard to health. iii. Preventing Pollution through Industrial Wastes 1. Detoxifying Wastes This approach to pollutants converts toxic substances into reusable materials. Recycling is one of its main examples. 2. Hazardous Waste Sites There are many sites around the country, which have become dumping grounds for oil, battery acids, pesticides and paints. 3. Nuclear Wastes Radioactive waste material that comes from nuclear reactors have been inadequately stored in containers. Their toxicity does not diminish for millions of years. 4. The Greenhouse Effect The greenhouse effect increase carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which raises its temperature. Therefore, emission levels of carbon dioxide have to be controlled by the countries of the world. 5. Rain Forests It is essential to protect the existing rain forests from destruction. They are a major source for purifying the atmosphere by converting carbon dioxide to oxygen. 6. An Overarching Solution It is essential to modify our production techniques in such a manner that what harms the environment is produced in much lesser quantities. iv. Energy Substitutes for the conventional forms of energy are given in the sequel. 1. Coal The amount of coal available in the US is sufficient for centuries. 2. Synthetic Fuels Examples of this are fuels developed from sawdust, garbage and other wastes. They are more efficient and cause less pollution in comparison to conventional fuels. 3. Other Alternative Fuels Wind, Ocean Tides, Geothermal Energy and Nuclear Fusion are examples of such fuels. v. Energy Conversation 1. Our Homes Houses have been designed in such a manner that they consume less energy in comparison to the older houses. 2. Our Cars The newer hybrid cars consume less fuel and use a combination of electricity and gasoline. 3. Cogeneration This is the production of electricity from the heat produced by industrial boilers. VI. Moral Issues in a Global Age a. The Dilemma of Global Solutions The gravity of the problem posed by pollution requires stringent measures to be adopted, however, some nations are likely to object to such measures and a powerful international regulatory body seems to be the only solution to this problem V. The Future of the Problem a. Energy The dwindling quantity of available conventional resources will constrain mankind to take recourse to alternate sources of energy. b. Pollution There is an absence of an adequate mechanism to deal with pollution. i. The Greens This is a political party that aims to curtail pollution. c. Lack of Unity There is a lack of will and unity to reduce pollution and the existing efforts in this direction are insufficient. d. The Environmental Pessimists and Optimists i. Picture Painted by Pessimists The pessimists feel that pollution cannot be contained. ii. Picture Painted by Optimists However, optimists feel that neither pollution nor nuclear waste are important problems to worry about. Read More