theory

Theory offers an explanation for phenomenon. Theories seek to explain. One job of theory within Sociology is to make social structure visible. Theory allows us to identify the stable, persistent, and often hidden and complex patterns of social relationships that are established quickly and over time.

Some invisible strings that connect us are just not thought about, some are taken for granted, and others are masked by power relationships. By making structures visible, theories offer us the opportunity to make more conscious choices about participating in, or changing, these patterns. Without understanding how they work, and who and what is attached to them (ourselves included), conscious choice is impossible. Theory allows us to see stakeholders and vested interests, or, who benefits? Theory allows us to look at who or what is harmed?

environmental racism

Environmental racism is one of the easiest theories to see in this field; it is nearly ubiquitous.

Environmental racism refers to the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color. It is the phenomenon of "environmental injustice that occurs within a racialized context both in practice and policy."-wikipedia

naturework

Human Exemptionalism Paradigm (HEP)

"We are the best thing that has happened to this planet!" (Gould and Lewis)

Human Exemptionalism Paradigm According to the tenets of this theory, we, humans, are the best thing that has happened to this planet! (Gould and Lewis). Because of how great we are, we can control and use the environment without regard for natural resource-based limits to social growth (Catton and Dunlap).

"Anthropocentrism is a core belief of the HEP. Anthropocentrism is the belief that human beings are the most important entity in the universe. Anthropocentrism interprets or regards the world in terms of human values and experiences. The term can be used interchangeably with...human exceptionalism." -wikipedia

New Ecological Paradigm (NEP)

According to the New Ecological Paradigm, humans are not meant to, and cannot, stand above ecological laws (Gould and Lewis).

Which of these last two theories make the most sense to you? Are you a proponent of HEP or NEP?

marx, weber, durkheim

on the topic of theory...what did the founding theorists in Sociology have to say about the environment?

Weber theorized about the rationalization of nature. For example, he looked at the state’s efforts to control the terms of the debate as to what counts as rational and irrational land use practices. He also wondered: are we collectively becoming prisoners of a cage of our own making? Will nature end up controlling us? Weber noticed how nature is increasingly seen as a problem.

Marx studied what he called the theory of metabolic rift. According to Marx, the metabolic rift is an "irreparable rift in the interdependent process of social metabolism", i.e. Marx felt that the divide between man and nature was one of the key ecological crises under capitalism. -wikipedia

Durkheim's studies included seasons and temperatures, what he termed the so-called "cosmic effects" on suicide.

political ecology

Political ecology is the study of the relationships between political, economic and social factors with environmental issues and changes. -wikipedia. Political ecologists see that environmental struggles are material and symbolic.

• "First, changes in the environment do not affect society in a homogenous way: political, social, and economic differences account for uneven distribution of costs and benefits.
• Second, "any change in environmental conditions must affect the political and economic status quo."
• Third, the unequal distribution of costs and benefits and the reinforcing or reducing of pre-existing inequalities has political implications in terms of the altered power relationships that then result."
• -wikipedia

Do you see how the interconnectedness of the political, social and economic systems and the environment within this theory mirrors some of the founding principles of Environmental Sociology?

eco-feminism

Eco-feminism argues that a masculine world view, or logics driven by rationalism, domination, competitiveness, individualism, and a need to control, is responsible for the exploitation of women, people of color, nature, animals and the environment. Eco-feminists see that environmental conflicts mirror social injustice struggles in other areas – for women, for people of color, for the poor. They see the links between the universalized oppression of women and nature. They theorize that both are rooted in the enlightenment and the (Western) scientification of society, with it’s objectification of nature as the formal object of dispassion or lack of care.

Eco-feminists notice that limitless consumption exists, but only for the most privileged, for whom the limits are born by others, including the earth itself. They also notice how so-called “development” projects place extra burdens on women. They also notice how solutions to environmental degradation (particularly overpopulation) translate to reproductive control over and public discourse about women’s bodies

institutionalization

Institutionalization discussed last module can also be considered as a theory. As a review, institutionalization looks at the extent to which behaviors, beliefs and attitudes about the environment are embedded in our collective and shared culture. This theory illustrates how the the status quo results in environmental harm; thus, as earth citizens we must go out of our way to be environmentally friendly and step off the treadmills (Bell and Carolan 2004).

The Treadmills

The dual treadmills of production and consumerism are also theoretical, as well as arguably, very empirical.

The treadmills are connected and help to accelerate each other. Both treadmills have eat natural resources and demonstrate insustainable practices. 

We talk again about the treadmills in the next module on consumerism here.