Environmental Crisis

Social Problems - Fall 2025

Environmental Sociology

Study of how people interact with their natural environment and how social structures, behaviors, and inequalities shape environmental problems

Sustainable development

Development that seeks environmental protection, economic growth, and social well-being

NIMBY

Not in my back yard

Social construction of environment

Environmental problems are shaped by cultural values, media, politics, and power. A “crisis” is socially defined.

Ecological Modernization

We can address environmental problems through technological innovation and rational planning

Tragedy of the commons

Situation of people acting in their own self-interest over a shared resource, depleting it

Brownfields

Former industrial and commercial sites contaminated by pollutants, requiring clean up before redevelopment

Superfund program

US federal program that identifies and cleans up toxic waste sites