ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM

SOC 1
Siyang Yang

In the 1960s and 1970s, environmental problem history emerged in th

e US. Environmentalism, a social movement about environment prote
ction, provides protection, restoration and make change for the natur
e.
Due to the industrialization and human activities, many environmenta
l issues are caused by humanity, such as global warming and climate c
hanges.
Thousands of environmental organization and government are trying
to reduce the damage on the earth and make improvement.

THE HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL PRO

BLEMS

SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE
Structural-Functionalist Perspective states that how envi
ronmental problems affect different group of peoples li
ves. And it also warns the latent dysfunctions.
For example, people have to move to other place becau
se they dont have enough clean water or food.
Facts:
According to Cancer Prevention Coalition,
cancer incidence rate has increased 60 %
because of pollution.
Asthma increased 75% between 1980-1994

SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE
From conflict perspective, environmental problems are cause by human competing power and money.
For example, business and factories dont care about the environment and pollute water and land. Mor
e products they made, more profit they got from consumers. Industry profits at the expense of the env
ironment. Companies always use their power and money to influence the law policy which is most ben
efit for them.

WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGEkXQx9dP0

Global warming and climate change are both

relate to an increase in average global
temperatures.
There is a significant increase in CO2 emission
because of the development of human lives
and technology.

GLOBAL WARMING AND EFFECTS

More frequent and severe weather

Death rate rise
Extinction of animals
Sea level rises
Increase in average temperatures
Ice melt

POLLUTION
Pollution has become the top reason of death i
ncreasing. There are more than 100 million pe
ople dead because all kinds of pollution, such
as water pollution and air pollution. Besides, a
nimals cannot live where has been polluted. N
ear all of foods are grown in the US where is tr
ashed.

There are more than 250 million garbage in US. 4.3 pounds
of waste per person in 1 day.
Industrial waste is a significant reason of land pollution.
Industries produces chemical waste which toxic and
dangerous.
Land pollution is harmful for both human health
And environment.

Land pollution

 70% of industrial waste are dumped into water

without filtration in developing countries
Water pollution is hard to detect and have to be
tested what is the concentration of chemical in
the water.
11 % of the population dont have access to
drink clean and safe water.
Oil, radioactive, chemical, plastic all can cause
pollution.

Water pollution

"The introduction by man,

directly or indirectly, of
substances or energy into
the marine environment
(including estuaries)
resulting in such
deleterious effects as
harm to living resources,
hazards to human health,
hindrance to marine
activities, including
fishing, impairment of
quality for use of sea
water and reduction of
amenities. (1969
United Nations report)

IS THIS TOO LATE?

Isnt that our responsibility to protect this planet? Enviro
nment problems affect human health and all living kinds
. We have to live more carefully and reduce unnecessary
waste. For example, so many company recommend pape
rless communication method instead of mail. We can re
use items. Recycling is also a good way to protect enviro
nment.
Many developed countries have government
agencies protect the environment.
Many independent environmental organization
in the world defend the nature and fight against
issues.
The population is aware of the seriousness of
environmental issues and they are willing to
devote themselves protecting the only home.

MY REFLECTION
There are many environmental problems need to fixed. Last decade, global warning has
become one of worst environment issues. Human releases too much greenhouse gases which
absorbs infrared radiation and holds the heat in the atmosphere. Thus, the temperature is
increasing continuously and global warming is getting worse and worse if we do not solve this
issue in priority. Extreme weather events which caused by global warming may occurs in the
future such as heat waves, severe winter cold, drought and intense precipitation episodes.(globa
l
warming). Thus, I feel responsibility to protect our environment. Even though I cant encourage
everyone to do the same thing, at least I can protect environment from start making movement.
I
hope more people can aware of the problems and polluters also have to pay for what they have
done. We can build a better place and make the pollution not a problem any more .

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