Abstract
Climate change has been mostly evaluated from scientific and economic perspectives; sociological contribution has not made a significant impact outside the academia. Consequently, ‘the deeper understanding of the human dimensions of climate change’ (p. 2) has not been fully integrated into national and international reports. The American Sociological Association (ASA) supported the creation of a committee, the Task Force on Sociology and Global Climate, to identify areas in which sociology could contribute to the analysis of climate change. Climate Change and Society summarizes the Task Force’s efforts, along with contributions from several experts, compiling a sociological report to enhance awareness of irreversible climate change. Beginning with the assertion that much harm is due to anthropogenic activity, this books explains who, when, what, where, and why human activities need to be examined. The chapters in this book relate to agency, assigning responsibility, addressing the individual, local, national, and global interactions, and how these are ingrained within cultures. Individuals have learned to consume in certain ways that shape their identities; local communities need to produce and satisfy their citizens’ needs; and nations compete in global markets generating patterns mostly in pursuit of economic growth. In such arenas, understanding how these actions affect the environment is at the core. The environment continues to be seen as an unlimited source capable of fixing by itself, persistently secondary to human needs.
The information presented in this book summarizes the institutional, political, and cultural dimensions of climate change, guiding the reader to examine human behaviors, institutional practices, and political endeavors. Along with these examinations, global power relations and issues of value formations need to be identified. The evidence presented in these chapters provides convincing evidence that will engage readers at different levels. This book responds to the quest for greater sociological involvement to affect policies, lifestyles, and future analysis, as well as stimulating a debate focusing on the present situation and the future state of climate change. Some of the information might repeat from one chapter to the other. Nevertheless, those interested in the subject might take advantage of the multiple viewpoints covering different approaches to climate change.
In terms of agency, the authors argue that the driving forces or causes of climate change derive from individual activities, mostly consumption, institutional and corporate activities mediated by politics, the market economy, and cultural arenas influenced by politics and power groups. At the international level, the United States is compared to European nations and new emerging economies. Carbon emissions are examined in terms of power groups’ efforts to prevent control of emissions and the negative effects it has on the poorest communities. In this regard, wealthier nations play a critical role when blocking international efforts to enforce stricter policies following the interests of a few corporations. Likewise, unintended consequences that emerge from new ‘green’ options or efforts to control carbon emissions include corruption, lack of control, unemployment, and inequalities.
Key points argued in this book include the notion that polluting the environment is inexpensive. Carbon emissions are still the less costly option for businesses and individuals. The opportunity cost of adapting to new energy efficient forms of production are not within reach or widely adopted because common sense would still drive consumers and producers into the less expensive option, that is, to continue with a known lifestyle and operate in similar conditions regardless of environmental damage. Moreover, the eco-friendly alternatives are learned behaviors that occur when social conditions are widespread. As such, neighborhoods and groups can change and adapt, but an actor alone might not. People, as a general observation, rely on peer support to engage in eco-friendly activities.
Environmental damage leads to forms of inequality, where Southern regions pay the price for the denial of wealthier nations and Northern communities (see Ch. 8). Facing natural disasters, the poor and most vulnerable suffer the consequences of climate change. It is asserted in this book that the ratio of carbon dioxide pollution is overwhelmingly distant when comparing the poorest and richest individuals and nations. Their voices are silent, their pleas excluded, when contrasted against the powerful quests for economic growth. Sociological research, then, moves around familiar themes of class, gender, age, health, and racial inequalities versus power structures and politics. It is also noted that most projections indicate that climate change damage is irreversible and is likely to affect all nations and communities alike.
Throughout this book, the authors propose that the steps toward solutions need to accomplish results at the structural, institutional, and societal levels in order to manage existing resources and adapt to future challenges. The endeavor requires substantial investment, which in the long term might be less expensive than preventing future damage. However, this is the ideal projection of what should happen, and confronts the reality that wealthier nations continue to protect their financial interests keeping their lifestyles as is. Activism, NGOs, and social movements are the available options for expressing individual discontent as well as coordinating cross-societal strategies. Social movements’ success depends on how the arguments resonate with others and frame common grievances. Access to the media provides a stronger opportunity to accomplish these results.
In terms of religion, two polar opinions are discussed in this book: first, some religious groups tend to consider ethical behaviors, taking the side of preserving and respecting the environment. The connectivity between individuals of the same religion is also important to influence the group as a whole. However, Judeo-Christian religions emphasize the anthropocentric belief that nature was made to provide resources for humans. Capitalism aligns with this belief. Social justice places the emphasis on the needs of the poor, protecting the most vulnerable. The case of Cochabamba, Bolivia, where peasants and indigenous communities fought to preserve natural resources, is mentioned as an example.
In the United States, Conservative and power groups deny the central findings behind scientific studies on climate change. They claim these studies are a hoax, and proceed to undermine the results. Their goal is to create uncertainty and fabricate the perception that climate change should still be under debate, when scientific studies have supporting evidence of the opposite. Individual perception, level of education, and location play an important role when addressing climate change. People who engage in their community and consider themselves immersed in the world are more likely to identify the harms. The level of education is also a source of awareness. However, knowledge and awareness do not correlate with taking actions. It is noted, that in terms of location, studies show that the United States, Great Britain, Russia, and China are generally the least concerned about climate change, in spite of having the strongest responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions.
This book accomplishes the goal of stimulating public debate. Whether by influencing individual activities or questioning political decisions, these chapters provide the tools to engage the reader into intellectual forums that challenge the status quo. The knowledge derived from reading these chapters creates the intellectual space to transcend culture by encouraging a critical perspective in search of alternatives to dealing with climate change. It is not outside of our decision, it is not other people’s problem, and it is not too late, seems to be the central message. Yet, to reach the goals, individuals would need to influence institutions, governments, and cultural spaces. Moving from bottom-up is always a larger distance than from top-down. In this regard, some nations might present a stronger progress. When power groups undermine what is best for all, they undermine democracy, making this precisely the time to disseminate knowledge. Climate Change and Society pursues this task through carefully researched chapters covering multiple arenas of social change, providing the needed knowledge by empowering readers in search of a better future.