Lecture 2 - Environmental Problems

Question 1

What are the 3 reasons why environmental problems are the greatest current social problems?

Answer 1

1. They have the greatest potential for catastrophic results
2. Our economic system is set up such that environmental protection is resisted (and will continue to be)
3. It’s a global problem that requires a global solution, but the world’s nations are competing (rising nationalism)

Question 2

What are the environmental problems that we face?

Answer 2

• Increasing human population = more destruction of animal habitat, more animal extinction (negative effect on the ecosystem)
• Ecosystem and food chain effect (Coral bleaching, pesticides + bee population)
• Climate change (High levels of greenhouse gases resulting in increased global temperatures, wildfires, droughts, stronger + more frequent storms)

Question 3

What is drawdown?

Answer 3

When atmospheric greenhouse gases begin to decline on a year-to-year basis
(Costs $29 T USD, while current spending worldwide is $632 B USD)

Question 4

(Review) What are the 4 main points of structural functionalism?

Answer 4

1. Human behaviour is governed by social structures (relatively stable patterns of social relations, like families)
2. Social structures maintain/undermine social stability (Ex. Economy, education system, legal system)
3. Social structures are based on shared values/preferences
4. Suggests re-establishing equilibrium to solve social problems (sees social change as a destabilizing factor, how to balance the system)

Question 5

What 3 things have led to environmental problems?

Answer 5

1. Growing population = greater environmental strain
2. Greater scientific development = resource exploitation + environment change (Ex. Nuclear, fracking)
3. BIGGEST ISSUE Society hasn’t had to prioritize the environment over economy before (Culture)

Question 6

What is an externality?

Answer 6

Act of producing something that has a cost/benefit that the producer doesn’t have to deal with
(Ex. Pollution)

Polluting is free economically and governments don’t want to implement costs

Question 7

What are the 5 ways that society is set up to hurt the environment?

Answer 7

1. Earth as an externality
2. Path dependency
3. Moral foundation theory
4. Immediacy bias
5. Misinformation

Question 8

What is path dependency?

Answer 8

The idea that it’s easier to remain on the current path/trajectory than to switch gears entirely
(Cultural bias –> current path is normal, change is foreign)

Question 9

What is moral foundation theory?

Answer 9

• Foundations of people’s political preferences

- Exploring moral foundations of beliefs to understand political differences

Question 10

What are the 5 foundations in moral foundation theory?

Answer 10

1. Harm/Care –> ability to empathize (difference in how much empathy/suffering is justified)
2. Fairness/Reciprocity –> Golden Rule, no discrimination, justice (difference in what is seen as fair, like with welfare/social assistance)
3. In-group loyalty –> (Rousseau) we’re weak unless we work together (differ in who we consider in our group [cosmopolitanism, nationalism] + how loyal we are [patriotism])
4. Authority/Respect –> power based on voluntary deference (not power/brutality), respect for tradition (differ in who is considered valid authority + how much people weigh respect for things)
5. Purity/Sanctity –> disgust for things that violate purity (differ in what is considered a violation + what should be “pure”)

Question 11

(Moral foundation theory) What are the 2 higher-order clusters?

Answer 11

1. Individualizing (Care, fairness) –> Care/Harm are valued the most for both political parties, fairness is more valued by liberals
2. Bonding (Loyalty, authority, purity) –> Conservatives value these more than liberals

Question 12

What is immediacy bias?

Answer 12

-Preference for instant gratification rather than more benefit in the future

Question 13

How are echo chambers created?

Answer 13

Endless info + confirmation bias + in-group/affinity bias (gravitation towards people like us) = constant access to people who share our beliefs

Question 14

What is the structural functionalist solution to environmental problems?

Answer 14

• Voting –> shifts political preferences while working within the current system