NATR 2050: Anthropogenic Effects (Environmental anthropology)

anthropology

studies humans in terms of biology, evolution, culture, society

Topics anthropology covers

physical/biological

archaeology

linguistic

social/cultural

cognitive

environmental anthropology

the study of relationships btwn human societies & the physical, biotic, built environment.

What does physical/biological anthropology do in terms of environmental anthropology?

show human evolution in relation to a changing environment

What does archaeology anthropology do in terms of environmental anthropology?

finding historical evidence of how humans impacted the environment in order to put our current habits/practices into context

What does linguistic anthropology do in terms of environmental anthropology?

shows how language reflects the speakers’ biotic environment

What does social/cultural anthropology do in terms of environmental anthropology?

finds out how humans adapt to the environment & social norms/dynamics of conserving the environment & how it relates to environmental justice

What does cognitive anthropology do in terms of environmental anthropology?

explores cultural models like the western culture-nature dichotomy

environmental archaeology

reconstructing the relationships between past societies & the environments they lived in.

what did environmental archaeology study?

plant & animal remains to see which plant & animal species were present at the time of prehistoric habitats & how past societies used them.

anthropogenic

human-induced changes on the environment

example of anthropogenic effects

anthropogenic greenhouse gases

easter island- the people used all of the island’s resources which led to a societal collapse

how conservation social sciences influence anthropogenic effects

conservation psychology- can be used to help people understand what role they play in the well-being of our earth.