The purpose of this essay is to write a reflective piece on the application of the social sciences to environmental matters, considering the role and limitations of the social sciences in environmental management and policy. While the case study assignment was practical and applied, the essay is more theoretical and thoughtful (even philosophical). High marks will be awarded for clearly written and well-structured essays, which demonstrate superior skills of analysis and synthesis by building effective arguments and demonstrating insightful interpretations of course content. Use of subheadings is encouraged. A correctly used scholarly referencing system is compulsory (in-text referencing such as Harvard )._________________________________ Choose ONE of the following essay questions. 1. Explain what it means to say an environmental problem is ‘socially constructed’, using at least one specific example (not the one chosen for your case study assignment). Discuss the insights this provides into how environmental problems can be solved, while indicating the limitations of social science approaches. 2. Explain the connections between values, knowledge and trust in the context of public participation processes. Discuss at least two models of public participation, exploring how values, knowledge and trust are factors in each model. Framed by that discussion, assess how and why social science methods would contribute to the operation of your preferred model for participation. 3. “In Environmental Management, everything is contingent and political.”Discuss this statement in a social science framework, drawing on ethical, historical, policy and sociological dimensions. (HINT: the word ‘everything’ is important in the statement. In an environmental management context it implies, amongst other things, consideration of whether science can be said to be contingent and political.)
4. How do moral and ethical concerns enter into environmental management? In what ways should environmental managers structure decision-making processes to take these concerns into account? Comment on any limitations that a) the natural sciences and b) the social sciences have in dealing with ethical and moral issues. 5. Develop your own essay topic. If you choose this option, your topic should include an opportunity to assess the value of the social sciences in environmental management. You may want to propose the topic to the course co-ordinator before you progress too far. Important Note: Use of examples is encouraged for all essay topics BUT you should NOT use the same example you used in your case study assignment. Essay Marking Guide1. Have you conducted sufficient research for this essay, as evidenced in your bibliography and the use you make of your sources?2. Is there evidence of in-depth understanding of the topic, with an essay structure that allows you to adequately address the topic?3. Is there evidence that you understand and can critique how social science approaches work; in other words have you understood, exploited and critiqued the ideas of our course?4. Have you explored the topic in sufficient depth?5. Have you made good use of examples?6. Is the overall response insightful, critical and analytical?7. Is the format and written expression clear, concise and convincing?8. Are all sources properly referenced?
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Introduction
The world faces a number of challenges and among them are environmental problems. These are issues that directly affect the environment and are mainly caused by human activities. Examples of environmental problems include pollution, global warming, overpopulation, loss of bio-diversity, deforestation among others. These problems affect both human beings, number of animal species, plant and micro organism species. For instance changes caused by global warming affect some organisms resulting to their inability to adopt naturally and thus resulting to their extinction. The problems also result to changes in the ecosystem by affecting environmental features such as deserts, forests and coral reefs. The essay will aim at defining the meaning of the fact that environmental problems are socially constructed, show how environmental problems can be solved and indicate the weaknesses of social science solutions.
Meaning of ‘environmental issues are socially created’
This means that the problems are caused by human beings during their interactions, research or in the process of finding solutions to their problems. This could be individuals, groups, organizations or any other category of human being who perform the act either intentionally or unintentionally. The problems are thus caused during human beings activities which are mostly aimed at raising their living standards. Mostly the problems are constructed during advancements aimed at increasing income or as a result of scholarly work (Leon-Guerrero 2008). One of the common problems caused by many individuals is deforestation. Individuals in many parts of the world have reduced the percentage ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
