Environmental Science, Study notes of Environmental science

Download Environmental Science and more Study notes Environmental science in PDF only on Docsity! E-ENVI-SCI FEBRUARY 12, 2022 PRELIM 2nd Lecture Material THE RISE OF MODERN ENVIRONMENTALISM By the end of this session, you will: • Be aware of the emergence of modern environmentalism • Understand the concepts of the influential thinkers on modern environmentalism • Be able to explain the six positions of human welfare ecologists Environmentalism • An awareness of the social world as circumscribed by enmeshed in, a physical and biological world • 18th Century - a self-conscious ethical movement emerged against a background of a certain intellectual, social and economic developments. • 19th Century – Conservation schemes typically aimed at preserving the environmental goods of the socially privileged. • 1960s – Modern environmentalism/conservation movements emerged Thomas Robert Malthus (1788-1834) • Anglican priest, economist and a population theorist • Argued that the progressives had overlooked the biological and physical constraints the world imposes to human social life. • Idea of strict ecological limits to material progress is fundamental to the modern environmental movement. Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882) • Naturalist and country’s gentleman • Inspired by Malthus • Natural Selection • “Survival of the fittest” • Foundation of both modern ecology and evolutionary theory – indeed of modern ecology. Peter Kropotkin (1842 – 1921) • Naturalist, anarchist and Russian Prince • Recognition of the ecological dimension to evolution. • Cooperation (e.g., co-operative activity or mutual aid) was just a natural as competition. • Motivations in human society: the urge to dominate and the urge to cooperate • framework of “Green” movements Positions of Human Welfare Ecologists • The Population Theory • Directly traceable to Malthus, proponents are called Neo-Malthusians • Various ecological problems are brought about by the striking increase in human numbers • The problem can only be solved if (i) the population growth rate ceases to grow, and (ii) population numbers are stabilized or perhaps even reduced II. The Affluence Theory • Directly traceable to Murray Bookchin, proponents are called Social Ecologists • Diverse environmental problems are brought about by social factors and processes rather than sheer population numbers (e.g., affluent nations are great contributors of eco-problems) • Prognosis: environmental survival is not good unless affluent nations will live a simpler lifestyle. III. The Technology Theory • The crucial factor in environmental degradation is the introduction of new technologies of resource exploitation and production • Argued to explain resource depletion and pollution • Environmental survival is not good unless we return to less wasteful and less energy intensive technology IV. The Capitalism Theory • a refinement of the technology theory attractive to left environmentalists • environmentally damaging new technologies are introduced because they are more profitable than environmentally sounder alternatives • solution: develop a new form of social and individual life which generates a new, green, economics V. The Growth Theory • Critical refinement of all preceding theories • Environmental degradation results primarily from exponential or geometrical growth in population, food production, industrialization, pollution and consumption of non-renewable resources VI. The Ethical Theory • Stresses the crucial importance of ideas in structuring our relationship with the natural environment • The roots of the environmental damage, lie in our exploitative attitudes towards the natural world which reflect the anthropocentric character of our ethical ideas.