The final focus of ENVS 160 has been the book Who Rules The Earth? By Paul F. Steinberg. In this book, we have learned about social rules, constructs, and norms that shape the way the world works and interacts. Steinberg’s main argument is that if there is to be environmental change in this world, we must think institutionally rather than individually.
Steinberg also discusses how vital politics and political movements are to creating change. He states, “If you dig down and examine the roots of environmental successes and failures that populate our landscapes, you will find that politics is never far below the surface” (Steinberg 2015, 265). The author seems to be right to point out that as many of the environmental issues in today’s world can easily be linked back to social norms or rules. For instance, today, think of something as normal as golf. It is fun for some and is somewhat considered to show social status. Having the freedom to play golf means you have the time and the wealth. People can use it to show off the money they have. Now the environmental issue with golf is, do I even need to say it, watering a large mass of grass year round to keep it green and pretty for people to play on. It uses fertilizers, causes eutrophication and is in my eyes one of the biggest wastes of water in our society. Why? Becuase it is a fun hobby to take up, with expensive golf carts, perfectly kept grass, and a whole lot of water, water, and more water. This social norm of playing a wasteful sport goes to show that some don’t care about what it actually all means. They might think climate change is below them, someone else’s job, and that they don’t need to change their ways.
There are social rules everywhere, not even just norms. There are rules that go into something as simple as sitting in the grass in Canada vs. The United States. In Canada, the use of pesticides is regulated because of a small town that once decided they wanted to stop the use of pesticides due to health effects. Major pesticide companies were outraged and claimed the people did not have the power to do such things. In Canada, they were shut down. The United States saw this example and didn’t want something like their own companies pesticide use to be regulated, so the large companies here made it nearly impossible for something like what occurred in Canada to happen again (Steinberg). These are rules put in place that affect the environment, heavily.
His other main argument has been the difference between individual and institutional change. What this means is that if someone wants to help the environment, they must do even more than recycling, buying local, and riding their bike to work. Not to say these actions are for naught but that they cannot create large scale change alone. The way to take action is institutional- diagnose deeply. Donate money to environmental groups, sign petitions, and have a strong voice and opinion (Steinberg 2015). He argues that this is the easiest way to really make a large-scale change. Sure good deeds build up but it won’t reverse climate change, reduce inequality, or save our oceans. The way to do that is to change the rules. Who changes rules? Who writes them? The answer is institutions, people in authority, etc. If people can get to them, have a voice, then something drastic may happen. Take, for instance, the Dakota Access Pipeline. There was so much action against it that it was actually postponed for a time period by the government (we can’t say the same as of now). That actually changed what happened, on a large scale. That kind of change is empowering. It is done through donations and strong voices. As a final word in the book, Steinberg says, “Connecting with the planet, and connecting with one another, are two inmportnant and complementary activities for the modern citizen looking for creative ways to take part in ruling the Earth” (Steinberg 2015, 279).
This book has been influential and enlightening to understand throughout our time reading it. I will take with me on a personal level the words of this book and the opinions expressed in it to try to develop an actual change in our world today.
Works Cited:
Steinberg, Paul F. 2015. Who Rules the Earth?: How Social Rules Shape Our Planet and Our Lives. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.