QUESTIONS

1. Taking insights from different theories of environmental sociology, examine why and
how environmental sociology is a unique field of inquiry. [50 marks; word limit 1000]

2. Make a taxonomy showing the similarities and differences between (a) the new
ecological paradigm, (b) the environmental justice paradigm, and (c) the Islamic
ecological paradigm. [50 marks; word limit 1000]

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Question 1

Environmental sociology is a multi-faceted field of inquiry, given that it is a subject that

tackles many inherent issues pertaining to the environment. It is a unique and distinct field of

inquiry as it is still relevant and inherent within our modern society, though issues have arrived

and been examined decades back. Additionally, even though it appears to be simply studying

environmental issues, we recognize that it involves many actors and at different significance

levels. Results and contributions provided by different individuals, shareholders and even the

government could very well be in fluxes and are not always adjacent. Undeniably, we do see a

trend of global unanimity towards climate conservation and seemingly increase attention towards

improving current environmental situations- however we need to also analyse the degree of true

effectiveness of these measures and attitudes.

Firstly, we need to understand the underlying reasons for different degrees of emphasis

brought towards such a widespread issue. Drawing reference to symbolic interactionism - a

sociological theory which accounts for different cultures behaving differently based on varying

experiences, environmental issues experienced and dealt with could vastly differ from state
nations to another. It also goes hand in hand with the fact that different countries and its

inhabitants would have contrasting emphasis on environmental issues, therefore signaling

different degrees of attention towards it. Take for example the disparity of attention towards

conservation of natural resources between two neighbouring nation states, Singapore and

Malaysia. Singapore, being an inherently resource-scarce nation has always been fearful and

threatened by the potential of losing out on resources, especially water and land. As evident

“Water itself being a scarce resource, has to be used judiciously.” (Trade Chakra 2008) illustrates

Singapore’s stance towards water conservation whereby the government intervened heavily to

upgrade its water supply system. One of which is to introduce a highly renewable and self

sustainable water filtration system known as NEWater. Additionally, Singapore emerges as a

water supplier in return by selling locally treated water to other state countries like her raw water

supplier, Malaysia. The fear of losing out on natural resources has in turn propelled self-

sufficiency but also reaping state profits through selling. Comparatively, we have Malaysia who

was blessed with an abundant supply of raw materials like land and water. Since they enjoyed

the head start of abundance, they would naturally be less frightful of losing out on their natural

resources. However, this would later translate into ill-management of resources given that they

experienced water crisis from time to time, and even within recent years like 2019. It was

reported (Straits Times 2019) that six states faced water shortages as the dams were not upgraded

to meet the increased demands of inhabitants. This suggests that the initial relaxed stance

towards resource management has led to a reduced drive and motivation to upgrade or better

manage their resources. The comparison is straightforward and explained succinctly with the use

of symbolic interactionism, which accounts to the difference in approaches made by the two

states to utilise or manage their resources.

 Moving onto the long lasting impact and relevance of environmental sociology,

referenced in Environmentalism, a global history, author Ramachandra Guha referenced key

pioneer John Muir who was already firm in supporting a “non-utilitarian rationale for preserving

the wild” dated back to early years of industrialisation. The fact that industrialisation has made

such a lasting impact towards the environment and even bringing forth the movement of

urbanisation perpetuates the idea that environmental sociology will inherently be relevant and

non-foreign to its inhabitants for decades to come.

Undeniably, we do see an increase in global interests towards environmentalism and

conservation. Be it in engaging in foreign and transnational policies, local laws and even social

movements online and offline, they are all great efforts being engaged. Yet, the severity of

environmentalism persists as we still witness a minority group of individuals being self-invested

and unwilling to partake in conservation. Take for example the extent of air pollution in China,

where it is estimated (Kao 2018) to have killed 1 million people and incurring a cost of 267

billion yuan a year. Given that China is a superpower, the extent of her pollution and lack of

effective conservation would result in a greater damage as compared to smaller countries and

stakeholders. As the saying goes, “One black sheep spoils the whole flock”, sure, perhaps there

are efforts made towards progression in environmentalism, however the extent of true

effectiveness is still debatable and fluctuates based on detriments.

Therefore, we go back to the earlier mentioned element which environmental sociology

exhibits- that it is multifaceted and extremely complex to tackle. This perhaps also contributes to

the reason for its unwavering relevancy throughout the years till our time of modernity.
 References

Kao, Ernest. 2018. “Air pollution is killing 1 million people and costing Chinese economy 267

billion yuan a year, research from CUHK shows”. October 2. Retrieved

April 5, 2021.

(https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/2166542/air-pollution-

killing-1-million-people-and-costing-chinese)

Straits Times. 2019. “Malaysia expecting water shortage in six states, including Johor: Minister”.

March 23. Retrieved April 5, 2021. (https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-

asia/malaysia-expecting-water-shortage-in-six-states-including-johor-

minister)

Trade Chakra. 2008. “Singapore Natural Resources”. Retrieved April 5, 2021.

(http://www.tradechakra.com/economy/singapore/singapore-natural-

resources-94.php#:~:text=Singapore%20has%20very%20limited

%20non,cent%20of%20the%20electricity%20generation.)
Question 2

In terms of similarities, the three concepts ultimately aim to boost or propel positive

environmental movements/ ideas. All three of the concepts seek to propagate individual/groups’

roles towards environmental conservation. Firstly, we have the new ecological paradigm which

seeks to view the world in a pro-environment perspective, in which inhabitants would be

influenced to make/continue behaviours to the environment based on their experiences. The

function of this would later explain or articulate the varying behaviours and attitudes towards

world view, specifically in ecological issues. By understanding the differences, it would thus aim

to utilise different methods to groups of individuals in tackling ecological problems/situations.

This would ensure a better persuasion to influence individuals to contribute. Next, we have the

Environmental Justice paradigm, as the name suggests, exemplifies the just and fair distribution

of responsibility towards environmentalism regardless of backgrounds. This would later

encourage all inhabitants to contribute equally and proactively. Lastly, we have the Islamic

Ecological paradigm, which directs muslims’ behaviours towards the environment - specifically

to live harmoniously with the environment. This therefore encourage the muslim community to

reduce their harm towards nature as a whole.

Moving onto differences, as seen in table 1, the three paradigms do exhibit their
differences.

New Ecological Environmental Islamic Ecological

Paradigm Justice Paradigm Paradigm

Degrees of Justifies for varying Perpetuates equal Inclined more

responsibilities responsibilities each responsibilities of towards directing
individual have everyone towards muslims as a group,
towards environmentalism, as it is more faith
environmentalism regardless of oriented, it is more
backgrounds/ narrowed down in
 involvements target audience

Whether Argues that Argues that Argues that humans

environmentalism is a environmentalism is a environmentalism is are part of the
socially constructed socially constructed an issue to everyone environment,
issue problem and it is not a socially therefore
constructed problem environmentalism is a
shared problem to be
tackled and would
benefit humanity as a
whole. Thus, it is not
a socially constructed
problem.

Level of success Feels that Feels that steps Feels that

environmentalism is a towards environmentalism can
complex issue, thus environmentalism are be achieved if
not easy to resolve easy to accomplish, if believers do as they
everyone contributes. are instructed

Perspective type Largely practical, it Largely idealistic, it Largely a belief/ faith

takes into account the only takes into system, it can
logistics and facts account what should persuade and propel
more than ideas be done instead of the faith’s believers.
acknowledging what
could be the possible
limitations like
logistics, economic
constraints and such
Table 1. Differences in the three paradigms