8.6 Chapter Summary
Avery Temple and Kimberly Puttman
Climate change is a social problem impacting both people and the planet. Like other social problems, climate change reveals a conflict in values. These conflicts of culture and worldview are deeply rooted in the practices of capitalism and colonialism perpetuated by Western worldviews and values that have been established through colonialism.
Sociologists and environmental activists use the theories and practices of environmental racism, environmental justice, critical environmental justice, and ecofeminism to make sense of why climate change is happening so rapidly. These theories also suggest effective opportunities for action. Youth, Indigenous people, and their supporters are leading the way with collective action for social justice.
As we look back at the Jordan Cove Energy Project, where we began this chapter, we now see how unexpected this victory is. They had to promote a common vision of clean renewable energy and the projected costs and risks of a pipeline. They had to convince local and state government officials that the pipeline was not in the best interests of the people who lived in that area and the people who might benefit from cheap energy.
The stakes were high, and their victory was uncertain. Working together, they succeeded in protecting the piece of the planet they call home.
Essential Ideas
Learning Objective 1: Why is climate change a social problem as much as an environmental problem?
Climate change is a social problem first because the activities of humans are the major contributor to creating the climate crisis. Second, we see conflicts in values between colonialist capitalism and more sustainable ways of living. Third, we know that climate disasters and environmental challenges impact groups unequally based on their social location. Finally, solving the climate crisis requires changes in laws, policies, and practices throughout the world, interdependent solutions that create environmental justice.
Learning Objective 2: How does colonization contribute to the environmental crisis?
Colonization as a social and economic system extracts resources from the people and lands of colonized areas to contribute to the wealth and power of the colonizers. This extractive form of economics prioritizes making profits over sustainable care for people and land. This economic system is still at play today, even though few colonies are left in the world.
Learning Objective 3: How do differences in Indigenous and Western worldviews contribute to the climate crisis and offer opportunities for innovative solutions?
Indigenous culture and worldview values communities and relationships. The land is sacred and must be cared for. Western culture values the individual and profit. The land is a resource that can be used to make profit. Because Indigenous cultures choose practices that nourish the land for generations, they offer solutions for healing our earth.
Learning Objective 4: How can a