Environmental Challenges in 1960s and 21st Century - Literature review Example

Environmental Challenges in 1960s and 21st Century Course: Institution: Date: Introduction The global society today’s increasingly places much emphasis on the need for increased environmental conservation and preservation needs. In this regard, as Tartaglia (2013) argued, there is a relationship between environmental standards and quality and the human society living conditions. In this case, the argument, as supported by Human Kinetics Organization (2010), affirmed on the dependent nature of human beings on the environment. As such, the evaluations established the increasing need and roles of the environmental conservation and preservation needs in the society. This essay bases its arguments on two critical studies developed in the early 1960s namely the ‘Silent Springs’ By Carson and the ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ by Garrett. In this regard, the essay evaluates the relevance and applicability of the environmental concern issues raised by the authors at the time into the 21st century environmental issue and concerns. Need for Regulations Carson’s work on ‘Silent Springs’ (1962) focused on establishing the negative effects of chemical and technological developments to the society and the ecosystem balance at large. In their book, the author resonated on the growing need for developments and innovations social and nature implications evaluations. In her work, Carson evaluated the negative implications of the DDT pesticide in the market. Since its establishment for use by the public, few evaluations and surveys had been done to establish its negative implications besides its ability to kill numerous pests. In her argument, Carson (1962) outlined on the negative implications of the pesticide on the nature, other fatty animals as well as human beings. In the analysis, it emerged that the drug entered the food chain where it eventually reached onto human beings causing cancer. In summary, the author advocated for increased products testing and standards development. The above arguments and concerns remain relevant and applicable to date. Parry (2003) conducted a study evaluating chemical and technological development implications on the environment. In this case, the study established that increased technology developments posed the risk products disposal challenge. As such, Carter (2007) argued that a majority of the multinational organisations in the technology industry have resulted to the developing nations especially in Africa and Asia as their disposal venues. As such, a majority of the used and second hand electronic products have found a reliable and ready market in Africa where the organisations as well as the developed nations dump them. The UN, under the Trade review Report (2006) stated that the major challenge in the disposal of the new age technology products is their non biodegradable nature. This implies that the products cannot decompose through natural biological systems provided for by the nature. In addition, an added challenge is the use of destructive chemicals. In this case Woodruff, Burke and Zeise (2011) argued that increased application of chemicals, especially in the agricultural sector has increased the overall micro organisations killings. In this case, biological micro-organisms responsible for biodegradation processes are no more, posing an environmental challenge for slowed decomposition processes. The above current analysis establishes the need for increased regulation of chemical and technological developments. In this regard, it is apparent as Hilty, Lidicker and Merenlender (2006) discussed that regulatory measures and frameworks are imperative to caution the environment against degradation and destruction under the illusion of changes and development. Therefore, there is increased need for respective governments and nations to institute regulatory frameworks in which their technology and chemical industries can be regulated to reduce negative environmental implications. Thus this demonstrates the relevance and applicability of the arguments developed by Carson’s in the 1960s. Role of Individual perception Change Hardin (1968) in the article, ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ evaluated the implications of individual self cantered approaches on the utilization of available natural resources. In this regard, the article developed an argument in the wake of an increasing global population against static limited and majority non renewable natural resources. In this case, it argued that if individuals consumed resources with no regard for other society members, the globe would experience an increased demand against supply shortage. Consequently, this would lead to resources depletion. Therefore, the article argued on the need for societal perception and concern in resources consumption. Moreover, the article developed an argument against the well fare state approach to resources management. As such, the study argued that such an approach led to increased non committal and little concern by the society. Instead, the article advocated for the allowance of increased economic factors interplay to develop lasting natural and societal resources utilization and consumption equilibrium. An evaluation of the current global societal setting illustrates the existence and persistence of the above discussed factors. Kornai (2008) developed an argument on the concept of capitalism and its implications on the society. In this case, the study established that increased capitalism perception has led to an ever increasing nature and environmental challenges. In this regard, an additional evaluation by Pryor (2002) supported the argument by stating on the existence of a relationship between the capitalism economic model and increasing environmental and nature pollution. In this case, the reviews argued that under a capitalism business model, organisations seek to increase their overall shareholders earnings in disregard to their products and practices implications on the environment. As such, most of them focus on developing and establishing high profit margins. However, this approach has led to increased environmental pollution and degradation as well as societal structures destruction. An example of this situation can be offered under the case of conflict minerals mined and supplied from Africa through corrupt embezzlement of natural resource as well as through civil acrimonies and violence in the region. Therefore, the production and use of the minerals by majority of the multinational electronic and beauty corporations leads to the risk of depletion of the resources. The above discussion establishes the need for organisations and consumers to shift their perception and attitude into saving the environment. Strategies and milestone steps towards this direction can be evidenced in the developed of corporate social programs as well as social enterprises. On one hand, the CSR programs developed by market players seek to reduce on the environmental and societal negative implications of the respective organisations strategies and approaches. On the other hand, social enterprises represent ventures seeking to resolve existing societal concerns and challenges at a profit. Through such ventures, environmental conservation and societal wellbeing form the core values in business operations. Moreover, the current global climate advocates for the establishment of a balance between the existing resources and the human population. For instance, the Chinese Government established the risk of an increased population base to the nation’s natural resources and subsequently established birth control measures and children number cap. This evidences that Hardin’s argument of perception change is valid to date. However, the argument against welfare state and the role of government in establishing a balance between the society and natural resources is invalid as recent global developments illustrate a growing success for government role in regulating and controlling the utilization of natural resources through justice, fairness and societal support programs development. Change and Conservation Carson (1962) developed an argument that human beings could enhance environmental conservation. This is especially the case where the book ‘silent springs’ featured in the CBS documentary. In this occasion, Carson argued that the human beings had acquired the greatest control over nature. In a similar rejoinder, Harrison in association with the Royal Society of Chemistry (2001) established that human beings have the ability to increase environmental quality as well as preserve the existing natural features through ecological consideration in their respective innovations and products establishments. Similarly, Tapurica (2013) argued that approaches such as green production and manufacturing play a crucial role in the enhancement for increased environmental conservation and preservation across the globe. In this regard, an evaluation of the above arguments indicates that the global organizations and market stakeholders have realized the control and responsibility they hold towards environmental degradation or preservation and conservation. In this case, increased ecological friendly products development through the application of the emerging technology demonstrates such efforts to conserve the environment. As such, it demonstrates the relevance and applicability of the argument developed by Carson on the role of intentional and market driven initiates to curb environmental pollution and destruction. Conclusion In summary, this essay evaluates the concept of environmental pollution causes, major stakeholders and alternative conservation and mitigation approaches. In particular, the essay seeks to evaluate and inter-relate the environmental factors and challenges in the 1960s to the current situations. As such it evaluates two critical articles believed to be the pioneer publications against environmental pollution and degradation. On one hand, a review of the ‘silent springs’ by Carsons establishes the authors unequivocal assertion on the role of regulatory frameworks into enhancing environmental conservation efforts. Moreover, the author argued on the role of market and industries goodwill into environmental conservation efforts success. In this case, the essay concludes that current regulatory challenges on products innovations side effects implications on the environment, an example of the developing nation’s electronics disposal dilemma, serve as an indicator of the relationship of challenges outlined in the 1960s to the current 21st century. In addition an evaluation of Hardin’s article on ‘the tragedy of the commons’ establishes an existing relationship between individual self centeredness under the capitalism economic model in the 1960s to-date. As such, the essay establishes the model needs change as evidenced by changing business model under CSR and social enterprises introduction. Thus the essay concludes that the two works arguments remain relevant and applicable to date. References Carson, R. (1962). Silent spring. New York: Houghton Mifflin Co. Carter, N. (2007) The Politics of the Environment. Ideas. Activism. Policy. 2nd Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Harrison, R. M., & Royal Society of Chemistry. (2001). Pollution: Causes, effects and control. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry. Hilty, J. A., Lidicker, W. Z., & Merenlender, A. M. (2006). Corridor ecology: The science and practice of linking landscapes for biodiversity conservation. Washington, DC: Island Press. Human Kinetics (Organization). (2010). Dimensions of leisure for life: Individuals and society. Champaign, Ill: Human Kinetics. Hurdin G., (1968). Tragedy of the Commons. Science, 162(3859), 1243-1248 Kornai, J. (2008). From socialism to capitalism: Eight essays. Budapest: Central European University Press. Parry, I. W. H. (2003). On the implications of technological innovation for environmental policy. Environment and Development Economics, 8(1), 57-76 Pryor, F. L. (2002). The future of U.S. capitalism. New York: Cambridge University Press. Tapurica, O. (2013). Advantages and limits of using pollution control tools as strategic options in the management of organizations. Revista De Management Comparat International, 14(4), 585-595. Tartaglia, S. (2013). Different predictors of quality of life in urban environment. Social Indicators Research, 113(3), 1045-1053 Trade review Report (2006). Trade and environment review. New York: United Nations Woodruff, T. J., Burke, T. A., & Zeise, L. (2011). The need for better public health decisions on chemicals released into our environment. Health Affairs, 30(5), 957-67 Read More

The above current analysis establishes the need for increased regulation of chemical and technological developments. In this regard, it is apparent as Hilty, Lidicker and Merenlender (2006) discussed that regulatory measures and frameworks are imperative to caution the environment against degradation and destruction under the illusion of changes and development. Therefore, there is increased need for respective governments and nations to institute regulatory frameworks in which their technology and chemical industries can be regulated to reduce negative environmental implications.

Thus this demonstrates the relevance and applicability of the arguments developed by Carson’s in the 1960s. Role of Individual perception Change Hardin (1968) in the article, ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ evaluated the implications of individual self cantered approaches on the utilization of available natural resources. In this regard, the article developed an argument in the wake of an increasing global population against static limited and majority non renewable natural resources. In this case, it argued that if individuals consumed resources with no regard for other society members, the globe would experience an increased demand against supply shortage.

Consequently, this would lead to resources depletion. Therefore, the article argued on the need for societal perception and concern in resources consumption. Moreover, the article developed an argument against the well fare state approach to resources management. As such, the study argued that such an approach led to increased non committal and little concern by the society. Instead, the article advocated for the allowance of increased economic factors interplay to develop lasting natural and societal resources utilization and consumption equilibrium.

An evaluation of the current global societal setting illustrates the existence and persistence of the above discussed factors. Kornai (2008) developed an argument on the concept of capitalism and its implications on the society. In this case, the study established that increased capitalism perception has led to an ever increasing nature and environmental challenges. In this regard, an additional evaluation by Pryor (2002) supported the argument by stating on the existence of a relationship between the capitalism economic model and increasing environmental and nature pollution.

In this case, the reviews argued that under a capitalism business model, organisations seek to increase their overall shareholders earnings in disregard to their products and practices implications on the environment. As such, most of them focus on developing and establishing high profit margins. However, this approach has led to increased environmental pollution and degradation as well as societal structures destruction. An example of this situation can be offered under the case of conflict minerals mined and supplied from Africa through corrupt embezzlement of natural resource as well as through civil acrimonies and violence in the region.

Therefore, the production and use of the minerals by majority of the multinational electronic and beauty corporations leads to the risk of depletion of the resources. The above discussion establishes the need for organisations and consumers to shift their perception and attitude into saving the environment. Strategies and milestone steps towards this direction can be evidenced in the developed of corporate social programs as well as social enterprises. On one hand, the CSR programs developed by market players seek to reduce on the environmental and societal negative implications of the respective organisations strategies and approaches.

On the other hand, social enterprises represent ventures seeking to resolve existing societal concerns and challenges at a profit. Through such ventures, environmental conservation and societal wellbeing form the core values in business operations. Moreover, the current global climate advocates for the establishment of a balance between the existing resources and the human population.

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