As I have worked through the assigned readings in this ENVS course, one of the biggest overarching themes I continuously return to is the interconnectedness of nearly everything. It pervades all aspects of environmental studies from nature spirituality in deep ecology, to the earth ecosystems, and to the entire discipline as a whole. This is demonstrated in many of the readings we have done in class, as they tend to connect and build off one another.
In Who Rules The Earth: How social Rules Shape Our Planet and our Lives, Paul F. Steinberg identifies the invisible social rules that shape our society. “Occasionally moments of great political enthusiasm well up and puncture the otherwise placid stillness of a society… the rules left behind determine the true legacy of a movement for change. (Steinberg, 2015 p30). With this insight, one could use the natural fluctuation of the focus of society as an advantage to attempt to create new social rules. Making a Modern World, by Vaclav Smil, provides valuable insight into what we can do collectively to aid in the dematerialization of our world. The point that resonated with me the most, was his assertion that we should expand the “We” to include those who have been excluded in the past (Smil, 2014). Making more people feel like they have a voice creates more allies for your cause which can ignite positive interest in the public, potentially provoking the kind of political enthusiasm that leads to social change. In this way, ideas from the two books can enhance one another’s prescribed modes of action.
One of the books that opened my mind the most was Why We Disagree About Climate Change by Mike Hulme. Although it is difficult at times, understanding the opinions of people that disagree with your personal opinions is a very valuable practice. Hulme discussed how the high expectations people have of scientific statements can spark skepticism of science in certain sectors of the public. A similar example of practices that ignite skepticism of scientific claims is reflected in Who Rules the Earth. Steinberg discusses the controversies that arise when research and advocacy are mixed. He asserts that many people question, “whether a researcher is committed to a cause… or so bound to a particular organization or ideological agenda that the person relinquishes the practice of open inquiry”(Steinberg, 2015, p16). Some people are suspicious of scientific claims because they believe the people making them have ulterior motives. This is aggravated when, due to the evolving nature of the scientific world, claims are retracted, disproved, or debated.
Often individuals have widely different, and often conflicting views of nature. Like many people I am very invested in my personal view of nature, so the process of understanding other’s contrasting views of nature was very illuminating to me. In Why We Disagree About Climate Change, Mike Hulme summarized Dunlap: “Three of the most important principles he elaborates on are a focus on relationships between humans and Nature; the recognition of the spiritual or transcendent dimensions of the human experience of Nature; and a holistic world-view that, while embracing the power of science, is never able to concede that science can give us access to all that matters”(Hulme 2009 p.150) This view of the importance of humanity’s relationship with the earth, and science as a flexible entity that cannot provide all the answers to the world’s questions, exemplifies a popular view that many people hold in relation to environmental studies. I found this extremely reminiscent of quote on deep ecology discussed in class: “I am not the rainforest, I am the rain forest made conscious protecting myself.” (Naess 1973). Both presented texts explore the relationship of deep ecology with environmental studies
Hulme, Mike (2009-04-30). Why We Disagree About Climate Change: Understanding Controversy, Inaction and Opportunity (p. 150). Cambridge University Press. Kindle Edition.
Smil, Vaclav. 2014. Making the Modern World: Materials and Dematerialization. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley.
Steinberg, Paul F. 2015. Who Rules the Earth?: How Social Rules Shape Our Planet and Our Lives. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Arne, Naess. 1973