The Root of Environmental Problems

Currently, environmentalism and the green movement can be seen everywhere in society from urban grocery stores or laundromats to windmills in remote fields. The green movement, along with the ever-increasing popularity of organic foods, has become a conscious part of many citizens’ lives. Additionally, environmental issues are becoming an increasingly important part of the global social fabric which provides further evidence that the public as well as the policy makers are heading in the right direction. In a historical perspective, however, environmental movements have often been plagued with ignorance and misinformation of the public.

The term "environmentalism" is commonplace in today’s society, however, it encompasses longstanding concern. Throughout human history all across the globe, environmental issues have always been present in societies as discussed by Najam et al. and Theodore Panayotou. Evidence of this can be found from numerous sources including manuscripts, books, journals, and historical archives. Although the historical evidence of environmentalism is there, it is often veiled behind ambiguous titles and is easily overlooked. History classes don’t cover it, political science classes never mention it and most text books don’t explain it.

Historical exploration of environmentalism is problematic in that it exposes questionable human-centered sociologies and the negative role that humans have played in transforming nature. Socially constructed myths, as described by Wright, are partially to blame for declining environmental health. By allowing ourselves to believe the socially-constructed myth that tells the human race that environmental issues can be safely ignored with few future implications, we have trapped ourselves in an over polluted world with limited resources remaining. These human-centered sociologies and the negative impact we have had on the environment is clearly shown through resource depletion, habitat destruction, pollution, etc.

Humans need water, food, air, energy, medicines, warmth, shelter and minerals for survival. Since the start of human civilization, we have relied on resources that the environment provides to fulfill these needs. Complete ignorance of the impacts we have on nature has led us into a difficult situation with resource depletion that is not going to be easily solved. For example, mining is depleting natural mineral sources at a rapid rate. Additionally, deforestation in the tropics is on the rise. Humans currently cut or burn down more than 100 acres a minute. Not only has unrestricted utilization of resources proven problematic but excessive pollution of remaining resources has proven equally as detrimental.

Historically, the importance of environmental issues seems inconsistent. Throughout history, these issues have often been brought into the lime light of mass media for a short time before being dismissed or forgotten with little care or attention to the matter. Since little action was taken, policy makers were viewed as apathetic. This translated to further lack of concern or indifference in the general public toward environmentally sustainable practices. Fortunately, this trend of apathy is being reversed as environmental concerns and issues take the lime light for good. Increasing attention to and implementation of regulations and policies that effect the environment are a strong first step toward solving the environmental problems we face today.

The immensity of all environmental concerns across the world renders the topic much too complex to be summarized in any short order. However, the vast majority of all current global concerns revolve around the consequences of previous human activity stemming from ignorance and misinformation. With the more recent trend of increasing environmentally conscious behaviors, policies and regulations, significant environmental issues are likely to be overcome.

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