SOC101YSOC101Y

Introduction to SociologyIntroduction to SociologyProfessor Robert BrymProfessor Robert Brym

Lecture #18Lecture #18The EnvironmentThe Environment

23 March 201123 March 2011

Important TermsImportant Terms Technology is often defined as the application

of scientific principles to the improvement of human life.

The term normal accident recognizes that the very complexity of modern technologies ensures they will inevitably fail, though in unpredictable ways.

A risk society is a society in which technology distributes danger and advantage among all social groups. However, some categories are more exposed than others.

Global Warming and Polar IceGlobal Warming and Polar Ice

Heat-trapping gases (C02, CH4, etc.)

1. Heat-trapping gases produced mainly by human activity collect in the atmosphere (CO2 [carbon dioxide], CH4 [methane], etc.)

2. The sun heats the surface of the earth.3. More heat enters the atmosphere than escapes because

some of it is absorbed and some of it is reflected back by the blanket of heat-trapping gases.

4. Heat melts ice, revealing tundra and creating water.5. Tundra releases CH4, a more effective heat-trapping gas

than CO2.6. Water reflects less heat than ice does because it’s darker

than ice.

Ice WaterTundra

(1) Gases fromburning fossilfuels, etc.

(3)

(4)

(5) (6)(2)

Annual Mean Global Surface Air Annual Mean Global Surface Air Temperature and Atmospheric Temperature and Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Concentration, Carbon Dioxide Concentration,

1880-20091880-2009

Note: Pre-1959 carbon dioxide concentration estimates come from intermittent Antarctic ice core measurements. Post-1958 carbon dioxide concentration estimates are based on continuous atmospheric measurements from the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii.

Mea

n te

mpe

ratu

re in

C

0

100

200

300

400

500

13

13.2

13.4

13.6

13.8

14

14.2

14.4

14.6

14.818

80

1890

1900

1910

1920

1930

1940

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2010

CO2 in parts per m

illion by volume

Year

Global Warming, 1880-2006Global Warming, 1880-2006

http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/animations/a5_1881_2003_2fps.mp4

Sea Ice in RetreatSea Ice in Retreat

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/10/01/science/20071002_ARCTIC_GRAPHIC.html?th&emc=th#

Worldwide Insured Losses Due Worldwide Insured Losses Due to “Natural” and Human to “Natural” and Human Catastrophes, 1970-2009 (in Catastrophes, 1970-2009 (in 2005 $US billions)2005 $US billions)$US billions

Important TermsImportant Terms

Genetic pollution refers to the health and ecological dangers that may result from artificially splicing genes together.

Recombinant DNA is a technique that involves artificially joining bits of DNA from a donor to the DNA of a host.

Environmental issues become Environmental issues become social problems when…social problems when…

1. Policy-oriented scientists, the environmental movement, the mass media, and respected organizations must discover and promote the issues.

2. People must connect real-life events to the information learned from these groups.

3. Scientists, industrial interests, and politicians who dispute the existence of environmental threats must fail to convince the public that the threat is illusory and human intervention is unnecessary.

0

2

4

6

0 20 40 60 80

Aboriginals as percent of population

Northwest Territories

Yukon

Alberta Saskatchewan

Manitoba

Total particulate matter, short tons per capita

Environmental racismEnvironmental racism: the : the tendency to heap tendency to heap

environmental dangers on the environmental dangers on the disadvantaged.disadvantaged.

Fort Chipewyan: Fort Chipewyan: 250 km. downstream250 km. downstreamalong the Athabasca along the Athabasca River from the River from the industrial centre of industrial centre of the Alberta tar sandsthe Alberta tar sands

Air Pollution and Poverty Air Pollution and Poverty in Toronto Neighbourhoodsin Toronto Neighbourhoods

Trucks in ChinaTrucks in China

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/12/08/world/asia/choking_on_growth_7.html#story4

The Nano by Tata Motors, The Nano by Tata Motors, MumbaiMumbai

Now in India for ~CAD $3,125In Canada ~2012 for ~CAD $6,250

Price signals are imperfect. Political pressure is needed. The pace of change is too slow.

Why the market and high technology Why the market and high technology can’t solve the problems of can’t solve the problems of environmental degradation on their environmental degradation on their own:own:

Renewable Resources, World,Renewable Resources, World,Percent Decrease, 1990-2010Percent Decrease, 1990-2010

fishcatch

irrigableland

crop land rangeland,pasture

forests

Percent decrease

What needs to be doneWhat needs to be done Reduced consumption of just about everything by

people in rich countries Increased investment in energy-saving

technologies and environmental cleanup Subsidization of environmentally friendly

industrialization in the developing countries Renewed commitment to voluntary efforts, new

laws and enforcement bodies to ensure compliance Higher taxes More careful assessment of risks associated with

biotechnology projects, and public consultation before such projects go forward

Sharing of profits from genetic engineering with donors of genetic material

Immediate action

Preconditions for actionPreconditions for action

Awareness of the gravity of the environmental problem

Belief in the capacity of people and their governments to solve the problem

Willingness to make substantial economic sacrifices to get the job done.

Environmental Practices, Environmental Practices, Canada, 1994Canada, 1994

83

71

42

21

0

20

40

60

80

100 Recycles paper,glass

Regularlylowers hometempUses low-flowshower head

Does not driveto work

Percent