Having studied Geography throughout high school and taken Environmental Systems and Societies in the IB programme, my Introduction to Environmental Studies has broadened my perspective, expanded and built upon previous knowledge and of course introduced me to totally new concepts and theories.
One of the most significant and provoking insights I have been exposed to is the idea that the earth has no carrying capacity (Phillips 2015, 56-71). This idea is something that has caused me to rethink how I view population growth and policies controlling them causing me to ask further questions in relation to this subject. One of them being: Do the limitations people have set on population growth possibly have an effect on technological innovations? If so, how? This specifically is of interest to me as limitations often may cause be to not think further than a certain point. Personally the possibility of the earth going over the projected limit of 11 million people had me thinking of ways in which housing and transportation could possibly improve, assuming there would be a cultural shift as well. In this way the current environmental issues we are facing are far more complex than we think.
This book also resonated with me as it addressed the issues of economic disparity and illustrated how primarily in the West, the quest to decrease consumption is often something that can realistically be done by people who have the means to reduce their carbon footprint by buying less of certain products or being able to afford alternatives. Being from South Africa, which although is considered a “newly-industrialised country” still sees large disparities in wealth amongst the population the question of accessibility is often synonymous with economic ability. Hence taking this into account and history- especially in “the global south” through postcoloinial theory- the current issues should be situated within a more wholistic model whereby problems can be identified so that solutions can be sought.
Being in the Introduction to Sociology class, I have found all this can be encompassed by conflict theory in terms of who has the power to implement and dictate the policies that control climate change who controls the media stories people consume and how does this benefit their agenda.
The next lesson I have learned through writing group posts is the importance of the intentionality in academic writing. This is something that became evident to me when writing about the -isms as I came to see that words either encompass and carry a lot of meaning or they can also be very ambiguous as is the case with “the environment” and “nature”. This is especially important in academic writing especially when one is describing, evaluating or making an argument to fully communicate one’s objectives.
Lastly, through the interdisciplinary approach of the course I have come to see that perspectives are very important in addressing many issues, not only those that are environmental, but world issues in general. Those we have come to explore have many layers and also serve the interests of different groups in various capacities. This approach is something that can either bring us closer to or farther from solutions, however it ensures, to some degree, that many aspects are considered.
So far my opinions of various environmental issues have not changed but are more informed and the new theories and concepts have caused me to think differently about beliefs I previously held. I have become more critical of the things I read as opposed to taking them at face value.
Works cited:
Phillips, Leigh. 2015. Austerity Ecology & the Collapse-Porn Addicts, A Defence of Growth, Progress, Industry and Stuff. Hants: Zero Books. Google Books Edition.