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SOC101YSOC101Y
Introduction to SociologyIntroduction to SociologyProfessor Robert BrymProfessor Robert Brym
Lecture #19Lecture #19The EnvironmentThe Environment
20 March 1320 March 13
Important TermsImportant Terms
Technology is often defined as the application of scientific principles to the improvement of human life.
Normal accidents occur because the very complexity of modern technologies ensures they will inevitably fail, though in unpredictable ways.
In a risk society, technology distributes danger and advantage among all social groups, although some are more exposed than others are.
Global Warming and Polar IceGlobal Warming and Polar Ice
Heat-trapping gases (C02, CH4, etc.)
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, speeding up global warming.
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.
Mean
tem
pera
ture
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
CO
2 in
parts p
er m
illion
by v
olu
me
Year
Safe upper limit: 350 ppm
Global Warming, 1880-2007Global Warming, 1880-2007
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
Ocean AcidificationOcean Acidification
The high level of CO2 in the atmosphere is absorbed by the oceans, causing them to acidify faster than at any point in the past 300 million years. 56 million years ago: ocean pH of the ocean increased by .01 unit per century. Now: ocean pH is increasing by .1 unit per century. Coral reefs, oysters, salmon, and other species are threatened by ocean acidification.
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 discover and promote the issues;
2. people connect real-life events to the information learned from these groups; and
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
CAD $2,813.29 + tax (21 March CAD $2,813.29 + tax (21 March 2012)2012)
Country Percent of global CO2 emissions (A)
Share of world population (B)
Index of irresponsibility (A/B)
China 23.71 19.4 1.2USA 17.91 4.6 3.9India 5.47 17.1 0.3Russia 5.28 2.1 2.5Japan 3.77 1.9 2.0Germany 2.59 1.2 2.2Iran 1.84 1.1 1.7Canada 1.80 0.5 3.6South Korea 1.78 0.7 2.5UK 1.61 0.9 1.8
Top Carbon Dioxide Emitters, 2011
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 done nowWhat needs to be done now Reduce consumption of just about
everything by people in rich countries. Increase investment in energy-saving
technologies and environmental cleanup. Subsidize environmentally friendly
industrialization in developing countries. Renew commitment to voluntary efforts,
new laws and enforcement bodies to ensure compliance.
Raise taxes. Carefully assess risks associated with
biotechnology projects and consult public before such projects go forward.
Share profits from genetic engineering with donors of genetic material.
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 hometemp
Uses low-flowshower head
Does not driveto work
Percent