Table Of ContentEnvironment and Society
This book presents a comprehensive, lucid, and accessible approach to environmental
sociology. It traces the origin of environmental sociology and examines the realist–
constructionist debate in ecology for a holistic exploration of the field.
The volume:
• Presents a step-by-step systematic approach to the study of environmental
sociology
• Includes case studies from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas and introduces
theoretical perspectives from Asia, Africa, and South America to provide a more
comprehensive view of the field
• Has separate chapters on sustainable development and climate change
• Discusses ecological movements in India and highlights environmental issues of
the Global South
A key text for undergraduates, postgraduates, and civil services aspirants, this book
goes beyond western scholarship to include indigenous approaches to the field. It will
be indispensable for students of sociology, climate change, environmental studies, and
sustainable development.
Subhash Sharma is an Independent Scholar and Development Practitioner with over
two dozen books published in English and Hindi. His book on human rights was
awarded the first prize by National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, in 2011.
Kshipra Sharma is an Assistant Professor at Indraprastha College for Women,
University of Delhi, India.
Environment and Society
Climate Change and Sustainable Development
Subhash Sharma and Kshipra Sharma
Designed cover image: Getty Images
First published 2023
by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 Subhash Sharma and Kshipra Sharma
The right of Subhash Sharma and Kshipra Sharma to be identified as authors
of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered
trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent
to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Sharma, Subhash, author. | Sharma, Kshipra, author.
Title: Environment and society: climate change and sustainable development /
Subhash Sharma and Kshipra Sharma.
Description: First Edition. | New York: Routledge is an imprint of the
Taylor & Francis Group, 2023. | Includes bibliographical references and
index. | Summary:
Provided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2022048564 (print) | LCCN 2022048565 (ebook) |
ISBN 9781032342061 (Hardback) | ISBN 9781032372808 (Paperback) |
ISBN 9781003336211 (eBook)
Subjects: LCSH: Environmental sociology–Case studies. | Sustainable
development. | Climatic changes–Prevention. | Green movement–India.
Classification: LCC GE195 .S474 2023 (print) | LCC GE195 (ebook) |
DDC 304.2–dc23/eng20230119
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022048564
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022048565
ISBN: 978-1-032-34206-1 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-37280-8 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-33621-1 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003336211
Typeset in Sabon
by Deanta Global Publishing Services, Chennai, India
Dedicated
to the memory of
Prof. Radhakamal Mukerjee
(1889–1968)
who pioneered
‘Social Ecology’
and
‘Region Sociology’
Contents
List of figures viii
List of tables ix
List of boxes xii
Preface xiv
Acknowledgements xvi
1 Environmental Sociology: Its Origin and Concerns 1
2 Approaches to Environment and Society 39
3 Sustainable Development: Concept, Principles, and Practice 90
4 Development, Displacement, and Rehabilitation 134
5 Ecological Movements in India 183
6 Global Environmental Politics 223
7 Climate Change and Society 262
8 Global Environmental Issues 307
9 Commons for the Communities: A Critique of the ‘Tragedy of Commons’ 347
Bibliography 367
Index 384
Figures
2.1 Different societies in different stages of growth. Percentage of use of
natural resources/energy over time 62
8.1 Values of Forest Ecosystems 337
Tables
1.1 Ecosystem Services Provided by Grasslands to Humans 18
1.2 Eco-Strategies and Eco-Goals for ‘Use Less’ Energy 20
1.3 Typology of Social Constructivisms 30
1.4 Comparison of Ideological/Constructionist and Realist Perspectives 35
2.1 Evolution of Integrated Life System 44
2.2 A Comparison of Human Exceptionalism Paradigm (HEP) and New
Ecological Paradigm (NEP) 46
2.3 A Comparison of Three Alternative Syntheses of Societal–
Environmental Dialectic 49
2.4 Treadmills of Production and Destruction: Core Conditions for
Understanding the Distribution of Environmental Inequality 54
2.5 Weak Versus Strong Ecological Modernisation 59
2.6 Pattern Variables in Traditional and Modern Societies 60
2.7 Features of Societies in Various Stages of Growth 61
2.8 Society’s Restrictions on Women in Rural Areas in India 64
2.9 A Comparison of Various Streams of Ecofeminism 68
2.10 Paul Robbins’ Five Theses of Political Ecology 74
3.1 Collapse of Civilisations/Cities due to Climate Change/Environmental
Degradation 92
3.2 Different Occupations in Various Ecozones in Tamil Nadu (India) 92
3.3 Contrasting Perceptions of People Residing in Forests and Settlements 93
3.4 Broad Scope and Contents of Brundtland Report (UN) 96
3.5 Main Selected Principles of Rio Declaration (1992) 100
3.6 Criticism of Sustainable Development 102
3.7 Four Perspectives on Interactions Between Social, Economic, and
Environmental Processes 105
3.8 Multiple Conditions for Holistic Sustainability Framework 106
3.9 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (UN) 107
3.10 Sustainable Development Goals and Selected Targets (2015–2030) 109
3.11 Top Fifteen Most Sustainable Countries in the World (2018) 116
3.12 Twenty Worst Sustainable Countries in the World (2018) 117
