Technology and Environment

1
Chapter 17

• Technology and Environment

2
Ecology

• Ecology the study of how living organisms
  interact with the natural environment
• Technology knowledge that people apply to the
  task of living in a physical environment

3
Environmental Impact

• IPAT
• I environmental impact
• P population
• A level of affluence
• T level of technology

4
Environment Deficit and Concerns

• Profound and negative harm to the natural
  environment, caused by humanitys focus on
  short-term material affluence
• Concerns
• Water supply, water pollution, air pollution,
  rainforests, etc.

5
Cultural Patterns

• How we as a society live and what we value affect
  the environment
• The logic-of-growth thesis supports economic
  development and asserts that people can solve
  whatever environmental problems which may arise
• The limits-to-growth thesis states that
  societies have little choice but to curb
  development in order to avoid environmental
  collapse

6
Theoretical Analysis

• Structural-Functional relationship between
  environment, culture, and technology. Society
  has the ability to change or correct
  environmental problems.
• Social-Conflict inequality in environmental
  problems elites acting in self-interest
• Environmental racism - Pattern by which
  environmental hazards are greatest for poor
  people, especially minorities

7
Ecologically Sustainable Culture

• A way of life that meets the needs of the present
  generation without threatening the environmental
  legacy of future generations
• Control population growth
• Conserve finite resources
• Reduce waste