Environment Food and Society Midterm
What are possible ways to overcome the collective action problem and what must they all somehow accomplish?
"nothing to lose scenario," moral or emotional motivations, communication, front liners / motivated individuals, solidarity, legal binding commitments / enforcements any solution must transcend rational self-interest
What, according to the professor, are some of the implicit cognitive implications or assumptions of the key word "sustainability" that might actually be a problem in helping to make human life more sustainable?
'sustain' implies maintain, continue we need transition to sustain the earth and the human race, not the way we currently live
What is the typical modern, industrial view of dirt? What is the actual truth about dirt regarding planetary life and health? What biological effects does industrial agriculture have on the earth's dirt?
'treat like dirt' most monocultures and agrobusinesses do not worry about the soil, while in some cultures it is revered as the source of fertility and life monocultures, pesticides, plowing all take nutrients out of soil, lead to leaching etc.
Name three ways that the exercise of power operates in the structural relationships between (a) food corporations, (b) food growers, (c) governments (legislatures, regulators), and (d) food consumers—as we saw in Food, Inc. and perhaps some of the readings?
1. corporation monopolization 2. lobbyists / patents 3. financial power
What is the "Green Revolution," in what ways did it succeed, and what was its success based upon/what transformations did it require?
1950/60s technologies such as pesticides and fertilizers allowed for food industry to match population demand, but at the expense of the environment and traditional, small-scale agriculture
What is the basic approach of "food regime theory?"
3 stages of development to achieve today's globalized food market: 1. colonies + Great Depression create a surplus transferred to 2. developing countries + Green Revolution --> total reliance on globalized, cheap food that pushes local farmers out of the market 3. 'corporate-environmental food regime'
Describe the Catholic view of the relationship between God and creation/the natural order. How is God actually related to creation? And how does creation properly relate back to God?
God is in all created things. everything is connected. we are all called to lead each other back to the creator
essay 1
Humans have evolved from Paleolithic lifestyles to neolithic, agrarian to industrial. Along with social, cultural, political and technological changes, food has changed. When humans were able to settle instead of hunting and gathering, agriculture was a main cause. Over time, things like plows and hoes were developed and agriculture, pastoralism, etc governed the food for communities. As the human population grew and efficiency of farming increased, the cultivation of food continued to change. Colonies - Europe and the americas etc discovered new foods an exchange between countries increased the Great Depression caused food production to exceed the amount of food people could actually afford and also put a lot of farmers out of business (not to mention the industrialization before and moved many people into urban cities) Developing countries - especially places like Central America grew in political and economic power while heavily depending on the surplus from north America and Europe entire societies shifted to global food market, local farmers could not match low prices shaped the type of food that appealed to people, as well Current system - as globalization continued and the number od people increased, the green revolution gave us the means to keep food supply high enough to support all of humanity we are dependent on technology, fertilizers and pesticides food travels large distances and we can have any season of food whenever of course there are people starving (hidden hunger, chronic hunger, obesity) Character shifted with the system - at first cultures grew with and developed food, then it became more of a difference between wealthier and poorer countries (some people view food as a class indication) and now convenience, appearance, taste, etc are all more important than just what feels good in your body Marketing and advertising influences the way that we think Awe never pay the real cost!
What is the relationship between human population growth and poverty, hunger, and famine?
IPAT the composition of population, as well as population size, are related to food demand but it doesn't seem to be a Malthusian dilemma -- we need to improve infrastructure and supply chain
Essay 3
Intrinsic value: we need to love ourselves, each other and all of creation because we all have value without having to do anything Competition: social media, efficiency, comparison, etc all lead people to devalue themselves and each other and neglect the care of the earth. We use people and love things. We do not respect life and feel grateful for it, which means that mental health is getting worse, the way we treat soil, oceans, etc is getting more and more careless Closeness versus distance: God put us on the planet to be close to each other, close to nature, working with all of creation to get back to Him (this is why Adam was gifted other animals, another human). all three relationships, though, are broken. We move further and further from each other (technology and isolation) and from the natural world. What do you think of when you picture success? Surely not a big family sitting outside eating a meal harvested from their garden, giving thanks to God and playing in the dirt. More likely someone alone in a big high-rise in a big city with fancy meals being delivered, maybe a partner at home in a beautiful home or apartment, trips on jets and visits to nature when they need a 'break from reality' we are nothing without each other and we do not have a right to anything on the earth. our bodies, our hearts, our friends, our plants and animals and earth, all are gifts
What lessons about consumer awareness and government regulations did the tobacco industry learn in the 1950s-90s that have been subsequently deployed by industries that benefit from "climate-change skepticism/denial?" What are the strategies in their "Playbook?"
PR organizations have a ton of power over the public experts, focusing attention, confidence, appearance of independence
Essay 2
Science is a supplement to the precautionary principle and a good way to help us understand the way we exist within the natural world. Issues such as global warming, climate change, environmental degradation and food and health are growing areas of concern and are hard to quantify/study because they are so complex, interdisciplinary and are constantly evolving. While we are limited by the amount of data that has been collected in the past and many unknowns in the present, science provides a fairly objective analysis of the unnatural dimensions of human impact on the planet. I believe that science should be at the forefront of our responses to these issues, taking into account alongside it the social/cultural and humanitarian effects of all the actions we do or don't take, as well. (Common good) Science is meant to be objective. Unfortunately, every experiment conducted can be affected by human error. In our society the acceptance of science is influenced by politics. The funding of research is largely sourced from private companies and/or biased government, corporate groups. From start to finish, from funding to spreading the word, there is more than just numbers at play. Science is also not moral, which can lead to criticism. It often examines problems but the next step, finding solutions, requires much more than just science.
What is the "precautionary principle," when does it apply, and what does it commend as a rule for decision-making and action?
a guideline for how to make decisions in situations of uncertainty and/or irreversible consequences (non-preclusion and prohibitory) favor being hesitant
Describe and contrast the "agrarian ethic" and the "industrial ethic," as outlooks on life, society, and power.
agrarian = small-scale, middle class, hard work, appreciation for and direct relationship with the environment industrial = efficient, technology, science, nature can be broken down and controlled scientifically
What, according to Pope Francis, should be the proper relationship between a (1) good and desirable society and (2) science/technology/economic growth?
all resources should be available equally, progress with justice and an understanding of the common good basically no person or people should be disproportionately affected
What role does "authentic" food play in the social construction of identity politics and gastronationalism? And how can that be capitalized upon for profit by the food industry?
authentic food = originates from a certain culture (slow food movement) sentimental, relationship between common practices and production/distribution of food can be advertised to get more consumer interest
How did the evolution of food production from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic eras and then to the Agricultural Revolution develop and change the organization of social and institutional structures?
basically allowed for political, cultural and social structures to become more complex horticulturalism, domestication, pastoralism all allowed for the establishment of culture once basic human needs were met with less difficulty
What are the potential benefits of food corporation consolidation to consumers and corporations in oligopolies/market monopolies? And what are the potential costs or disadvantages to consumers and food producers?
benefits - potential price drop, lots of market power, production is efficient costs - potential price inflation, less healthy, more vertical integration
Who benefits from dangerous waste-disposal practices? Who may be reluctant to admit and own responsibility and pay for changes, and why?
big corporations, anyone who does not live close to a waste facility and can easily throw out their garbage big corporations (money/efficiency, public image) government (controversial, no great solutions that are easily and cheaply implemented)
What is "nutritionism," on what valuable things about food does it focus consumer attention, and what other important issues around food does it ignore or put out of focus?
calories, micronutrients, quantitative aspects of food does not address the sociocultural value of some foods, take into account the different needs different bodies have, or highlight the negative ingredients in many foods (even low calorie foods)
How, according to the film, Trashed, are mass-consumption, waste disposal, chemistry, the oceans, food chains, eating, and human health and reproduction all connected?
capitalist society of waste, products are disposed of and take a very long time to cycle on, spill/leach chemicals into the water so that whole communities are exposed to toxic waste, water supply is tainted and the food we eat contains chemicals and microplastics, which have negative effects on human beings and is often more concentrated in each generation than the one before it
How does a sociological approach to understanding and explaining environmental, food, and health problems differ from individualistic, personality, psychological, moralistic approaches?
causal powers: social structures, institutions, cultures, groups and social networks understanding complex, interdisciplinary issues
According to Pope Francis, what other moral beliefs and commitments are required to secure the common good?
common good = social life allowing all groups to achieve fulfillment future generations, integral ecology, coming together, intrinsic value of all creation, distributive justice, scientific and political honesty
In what sense is raising grave concern about global warming and climate change "an attack on a way of life?... a demand that we need to change our lifestyles?... a judgment that the whole way we have created our lives is wrong?" Why might that make people vulnerable to the claims of climate-change skeptics?
concerns about climate change mean that we need to change systems that affect the way we live our lives: food, travel, energy use, technology, prices, etc who wants to face that reality? guilt?
In what ways does food function as a form of "cultural capital" and an element in the construction and presentation of social identity?
different classes eat different foods, serve as symbols of identity and culture
How (besides the obvious) is the "consumer democracy" of purchasers in markets "voting with dollars" different from the traditional political democracy of citizens voting with ballots for political representatives? What difference does it make in our notions of "citizenship" and "policy?"
dollars: direct influence on what gets shelved, everyone participates whether or not they know democracy: indirect form of policy change, not everyone participates our actions have influence even outside of the voting booth, even without any policy change
What does it mean, according to Pope Francis, for ecology to be "integral?" What are the important things must be integrated into a holistic approach? Why?
everything is closely related, understanding ecology includes understanding ourselves in relationship to all living things around us
How has globalization changed the way we—at least modern, middle-class westerners—purchase and consume food today?
food from nowhere we can have beautiful looking, seasonal foods at any point in the year and hear nothing about the negative externalities we don't pay for (pseudo foods, saturated foods)
Under what conditions and in what ways can the norm of "balance" in news and journalism actually work against rather than for learning the truth?
honestly science is not usually a two-sided issue however, many issues are more complex than 'two sided' so, at both extremes, the public is corralled into a specific way of thinking without always grasping the complexities/details of the problem at hand
How and why does the globalized food system and evolving consumer expectations produce massive food waste?
imperfect products are tossed, long transport distances allow some things to spoil, packaging
According to the film, Trashed, how do the ways industrial humanity functions differ from the ways that nature functions? What are the consequences?
industrial: throwaway, negative externalities, mass-production, efficiency nature: cyclical, balanced humans are out of sync with the environment and are messing with delicate, intricate natural systems
What are the implications of Personalism's belief that human beings are persons and not merely things for how human beings must be treated? And what implications does that have for humanity's treatment of the natural environment?
intrinsic value means that we all reflect God, nature is also God's creation and it is our job to respect the value in everyone and everything
In what ways may it be that, ironically, when it comes to global warming and climate change, "people who don't like big government are going to get more of it?"
less government regulation now means more government bailout, regulation, taxes, etc in the future... the issue is going nowhere, will likely compound & get very bad
How and why do pressures to increase the productivity of labor contribute to environmental degradation, the industrialization of food production, and, arguably, the decline in food nutrition?
low in cost, large in number: cheap labor exploits immigrants and small farmers, soil humus begins to falter, pesticides and fertilizers are artificially added, food goes down in price and in nutrition content
How do corporate centralization, vertical integration, and ownership of mass media arguably reduce citizens' understandings of environmental and food problems? What are the various mechanisms by which that happens?
market oligarchies control most steps of production and influence consumer perspectives from start to shelf marketing, government subsidies, lobbyists, technology
What are the two central goals of nation state funding of science and technology and the one central goal of corporate funding of science and technology?
nation state: 1. military / geopolitical power 2. economic competitiveness / stability corporate: profit
What, according to the professor, are some of the hidden cognitive implications, suggestions, assumptions, or leadings of the key words "the environment" and "nature" that might actually contribute to continued environmental problems?
nature: intrinsic, original environment: surrounding conditions we are outside of or acting upon nature, so we don't view harm to the earth as harm to ourselves
What kind of influences do interested food-production corporations exert on official nutritional advice and labeling? What are their means of influence?
nutritionism green washing removes consumer guilt or makes consumer feel healthy without any change in the actual product - labeling technicalities and marketing strategies
Describe the Catholic view of humanity's proper place and condition in creation/the created order. What is and is not the case about humanity's status in the natural order?
owners of the earth versus stewards can be a force for good or for evil "mutual responsibility" between humans and nature but we are not outside of the natural world
If some of the debate over global warming/climate change isn't really, ultimately about the scientific data, then what is it really about? What role do social-identity dynamics of "tribes" and "teams" play in the politics of climate change? In what sense does that offer a specifically sociological analysis?
politics, tribes = political parties, this issue is hard to face so denial is a window into the response many people default to in the face of a horrible truth
What are possible ways to eliminate the tragedy of the commons and why are they difficult to implement?
prohibit (no people in ntl parks), regulate (limit fishing), marketize (tax electricity) resources are shared, collective, public
What are possible ways to eliminate negative externalities and why are they difficult to implement?
prohibit, regulate, marketize, 'true price' monetization, cost, would need to change systems and societies foundationally
Accurately explain the meaning of the Catholic doctrine of "the common destination of goods" and what it means ethically for human economic and social systems.
right of everyone to equal amount of goods we need to implement a system that doesn't value some people over others and we need to morally stop using more than our fair share of this planet's resources
Why do most real scientists have difficulty helping to educate the public and politicians about their research and its implications for environmental policy?
scientists and scientific writing do not easily communicate with the public, media fills that gap but there is potential for huge bias to be broadcasted there are debates about scientific evidence for climate change even though most climate science experts are in absolute agreement
Explain the concept of "the tragedy of the commons" and how it helps us to understand how and why environmental degradation happens?
shared, unregulated resource depleted when individuals act in rational self interest (non-excludable, rival goods) resources like freshwater, fish, natural gas
Explain the concept of "the collective action problem" and how it helps us to understand how and why environmental degradation happens?
situation where action is required from everyone, but it comes with a cost and is not worth it without the participation of everyone (assumes: individuals are rational and self interested, participation is costly, failure is worse than initial cost if people bail, success is greater than cost if all participate, all benefit if all participate) we continue to take the 'easy' path living the way that we do because starting to restructure the relationship humans have with the environment is hard to front alone
What specific arguments does the approach of ecological modernization theory make with regard to global warming and environmental degradation?
smart environmentalism is good for a capitalist economy / tech: Demands major innovations in technology, political commitment, business and finance, and consumer values and lifestyles
In what ways is the food people eat today not simply determined by individual, demand-side, consumer-driven, personal choice of the food shopper?
subsidies & tariffs (aka costs), shelving, advertising, nutritionism
How do U.S. government "Agricultural Bill" subsidies influence what agribusiness grows and what Americans eat?
subsidizes crops like corn, soy, wheat so they are cheapest to grow and incorporate into food products, filling if not nutritious... therefore they are in everything
What are "cascades," according to Wallace-Wells, and how do they help explain how global warming could accelerate in complex ways that could lead to an uninhabitable earth? Give one example of such a cascade.
system crises: causation, amplification examples: albedo effect, greenhouse effect, ocean anoxification
Describe what are, according to Pope Francis, the main components of the deepest roots of the environmental crisis.
view of nature as separate from humans, throwaway culture, technocratic paradigm
What is the important idea to be learned from any theory of "treadmill" (e.g., of production, of consumption, of technology) that helps us understand environmental problems?
we are using more and more resources, energy and we are not making huge bounds in a global, collective, positive direction eventually we will be forced off of the treadmill so it is in humanity's best interest to start slowing the pace (ie farmers)
What deep changes are required, according to Pope Francis, as a precondition for truly solving our environmental problems?
we need a paradigm shift - from profit to compassion
Explain the concept of "negative externalities" and how it helps us to understand how and why environmental degradation happens?
when one does not directly experience the negative effects of their actions, others do many of the things we do in this country that are environmentally harmful (ie exploiting natural resources) do not directly affect us in the short term, but they will eventually and already do make quality of life lower in other areas
What are the unresolved issues and critical questions that add uncertainty and differences within ecological modernization theory?
who takes the lead? who pays? how much gov. interference results?
