Page 527 - Essencials of Sociology

500 CHAPTER 15 Social Change and the Environment

Do the Industrializing and Least Industrialized movement takes many forms, from peaceful attempts to influ-
Nations have environmental problems? ence the political process to eco-sabotage.Pp. 494–497.
The rush of the Least Industrialized Nations to industrialize What is environmental sociology?
is adding to the planet’s environmental decay. The pollu-
Environmental sociology is not an attempt to change the
tion in China is so severe that China now emits more carbon
environment but, rather, a study of the relationship between
dioxide than the United States does. Environmental activists
humans and the environment. Environmental sociologists are
in China are arrested and imprisoned. The world is facing a
generally also environmental activists. P. 497.
basic conflict between the lust for profits through the exploi-
tation of Earth’s resources and the need to establish a sus- What is the goal of harmony between technology
tainable environment. Pp. 491–493.
and the environment?
What is the environmental movement? The goal of harmony is to control industrialization so it
The environmental movement is an attempt to restore a doesn’t harm the environment, resulting in a world worth
healthy environment for the world’s people. This global social passing on to the next generation. P. 498.

Thinking Critically about Chapter 15

1. How has social change affected your life? Be specific— 3. Do you think that a sustainable environment should be a
what changes, how? Does Ogburn’s theory help to goal of the world’s societies? Why or why not? If so, what
explain your experiences? Why or why not? practical steps do you think we can take to produce a sus-
2. In what ways does technology change society? tainable environment?