Sociological Approach To Climate Change Essay

Another key sociological approach to climate change is the conflict theory. To acknowledge this point, one needs to understand the economic concept of profit-maximization and cost-minimization. People naturally tend to act in their self-interest and that often results in clashes between one another. For instance, Should we close down a potable water factory because it is spilling its wastes in a nearby lake? Here is where the sociological perspectives come into place. It is necessary to weigh the costs and benefits of each solution, this is done by natural scientists. It is equally essential when making these solutions, to not apply environmental racism. This is defined by Robert Bullard as “any environmental policy, practice or directive that differentially affects or disadvantages individuals, groups, or communities based on race or colour” (2009).
Compared to other systems, the capitalist system that we live in today especially fosters the growth of unequal environmental policies because of its centralization and concentration on self-benefits. This discourages mainly lower income people and people of colour living in rural areas and benefits urbanized elites who have a large accumulation of capital. Some sociological concepts can
Environmental principles set by the system would urge non-green companies to either switch to environmentally-friendly production or be turned down, thus improving the climate. Education would also help consumers with choosing to buy from the right producers as to avoid engaging in any non-green productions. Additionally, structural functionalist perspective argues that in order to find a solution to climate change, international regimes ought to prevent both poverty and the negative effects of climate change at the same