Environmental concern and beliefs have recently been declining affected by various factors in society. The factors that determine individual or group beliefs and interests on environment vary depending on factors which can be social, political, or economic. The essay seeks to evaluate in detail the social determinants factors that influence environment concern and beliefs. The essay focuses on various studies which offer information on how cultural beliefs and systems affect different social factors such as age, gender, income education social class, residence, and political associations in the society an examine their contribution to environmental concern and opinions in the view of them as the primary social determinants.
Scientists relate acceptance or rejection of environmental truth to as core to cultural beliefs and practices. The intentional and unintentional avoidance of information on the environment stems from our interpretations and conclusions which are influenced by cultural filters based on moral reasoning which forms our social identity (Hoffman, 2015). The cognition proposal presets evidence that people accept and reject environmental truth depending on the position of their social groups. Research also proves that cultural identity can overpower scientific reasoning, increase in education an individual understanding of climatic conditions influence what scientific knowledge we believe and how our environments concern is raised.
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Political economy is also a significant contributor on beliefs and fears on climate influenced by the physical infrastructure built around lifestyles and the use of fuel. Political interests have contributed to attitudes beliefs, concerns and responses to environmental changes (Bonds & Downey, 2012) as individuals in power aim at protecting their interests by adopting strategies that confuse and polarize environmental demands as a way of protecting their interests.
Environmental concerns and beliefs are also influenced by the modern technology which many scholars who are concerned with ecological changes do not consider a threat. Due to its quiet implementation nature, technology fails to appeal to individuals by promoting the behavior changes and attitudes on environmental concern. Many academicians and professional have influenced the local society beliefs and interests on the environment through the support of the green ecological strategies (Bonds & Downey, 2012). Therefore social scientists who promote the green technologies cause many to reject environmental concerns analyzed by scientists despite their truthful nature due to reinforced beliefs from previous cultural studies.
Environmental concerns and beliefs have also been an influence on the social factors of availability of metals such as those used in the formation of the valuable devices in the society such smartphones and laptops which are produced using precious metals whose mining and extraction forms as a way to degrade the environment. Because metals form the base of all modern technology use and formation of application, many people to protect their lifestyles and home appliances (Bonds & Downey, 2012). Metals have changed lives, careers, and socials goals influence the adoption and acceptance of environmental concerns as due to their significant contribution to society.
Metals in their intricate values and the advancement of home appliances from metal have caused considerable damage to the environment. Advancement requires a combination of many elements of metal whose acquisition and use need substantial extraction process which harms the environment. , the human race must slow down their discoveries especially those that require metals which and have an effect on the environment to conserve the environment.
Other social determinants of environmental concern and beliefs are dependent on factors like age. Researchers came into conclusions that the older people have less concern of the environment compared to the younger people thus age has negative correlation with environmental concerns and beliefs (Klein, 2015). Gender relationship with environmental beliefs and interests influenced by response to biological response of the male or women established the high concern of scientists on sophisticated matters provable through ecological science. The gender support of concerns or beliefs held by women on the environment have raised contradiction he chances of changing their environmental concerns an adopt beliefs based on research as oppose to cultural expectations. Factors influenced by social class such as education and income have a positive correlation with ecological concerns and ideas. Also, urban dwellers show keen interest and beliefs on the environment than on the rural dwellers (Klein, 2015). Political affiliation such as being a democrat or a republican influence an individual position on environmental concerns and beliefs where members accept or reject scientific information in line with the groups' position despite personal convictions on environmental beliefs and truths.
The work of Dunlap et al. on global warming has significantly contributed to the growing literature on ecological concerns and opinions. The work addresses the political divide hat is being currently witnessed on climate changes in the U.S. the nation has become divided insignificant issues such as protection of the environment as those of the higher classes in society embrace divisions and polarization with the aim of safeguarding their interests (Dunlap et al., 2016). It outlines the nature of the political division in the country where Republicans oppose government measures to protect the environment.
The decision on oppositions is supported by political elites such as members of Congress who have a massive effect on the party followers in the general public population. The opposition to important environmental measures from high positions in government undermines environmental conservation unknown to people that the position adopted by the leaders as influenced by personal interests and protection (Dunlap et al., 2016). The article also explains the response given to global warming is based on political divisions with each side supporting a different ideology which derails answers to critical environmental issues which have dire consequences to human life.
References
Bonds, E., & Downey, L. (2012). Green Technology and Ecologically Unequal Exchange: The Environmental and Social Consequences of Ecological Modernization in the World-System. Journal of World-Systems Research , 18 (2), 167-186.
Dunlap, R. E., McCright, A. M., & Yarosh, J. H. (2016). The political divide on climate change: Partisan polarization widens in the US. Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development , 58 (5), 4-23.
Hoffman, A. J. (2015). How culture shapes the climate change debate . Stanford University Press.
Klein, N. (2015). This changes everything: Capitalism vs. the climate . Simon and Schuster.
