Human-Environment Interactions in Geography

Human geography

Examines the relationship between society and the environment from the perspective of the social sciences and the humanities

George Perkins Marsh

Leading scholar and conservationist who argued that humans could radically alter nature, affecting forests, wildlife, and human society

The Columbian Exchange

Exchange of animals, plants, and pathogens from one area to another, beginning in the early modern era (~1500). Biological exchange

Virgin soil epidemic

Occurs when people who haven't been exposed to a sickness/disease before are affected more heavily

The Great Acceleration

Explosion in the scale of human enterprise after 1945, marked by increased energy use, population growth, and technological advancements

The Anthropocene

Proposed name for the epoch where humans are the dominant force in changing the environment

Thomas Malthus

Economist who argued that the capacity of human population to grow is greater than the finite supply of Earth's resources

Neo-Malthusian View

belief that population growth would lead to famine and resource scarcity - advocated strong population control measures to stabilize pop.

Karl Marx

Scholar who believed that environmental crises were caused by capitalism, not population growth

China's one child policy

Coercive population reduction policy in China involving fines, forced sterilizations, and forced abortions

IPAT

Impact = population x affluence x technology formula used to calculate environmental impact

Julian Simon

Believed that human markets and innovation would overcome any resource scarcity and solve environmental problems

Market Based Solutions (MBS)

Uses prices, trading, and ownership to solve environmental problems. green taxes: taxing use or practices that are env. harmful

Externalities

Costs or benefits that are not figured into the price of goods or services, leading to market failures

Green consumption

How consumers can drive certain production practices and innovations by choosing to buy products made with more environmentally friendly practices

Greenwashing

False claims about green practices

Green certification

Program to ensure sustainable production. ex: dolphin-safe tuna

Household Carbon Footprint

Total carbon emissions from a household

Consumer boycotts

Refusal to buy products as a form of protest

Dolphin-safe tuna

Tuna caught without harming dolphins. Example of green certification.

Green consumerism

Trying to harness market forces and consumer agency to reduce impact on environment

Capitalism

Economic system focused on profit and growth

Means of production

Tools owned by employers in capitalism

Primitive accumulation

Appropriating resources for private interests ex. bolivian water bechtel

Treadmill of accumulation

Continuous pursuit of profit and surplus labor

Spatial fix

Seeking new locations for production and waste disposal. geographic solution to capitalism's problems.

Anthropocentrism

Focus on human interests over environment.

Fast fashion

Quick production and turnover of clothing styles

Labor theory of value

Political Economy value, comes from human labor but ignores the value that comes from nature

Environmental degradation

Harm to the environment due to human activities

Fashion impact on environment

Environmental consequences of fashion industry

Bird conservation

Protection of bird species from harm or extinction