Environmental Problems

 This week's chapter on environmental issues talks about some of the most difficult challenges we face today, and environmental sociology helps us understand how human behavior affects and is affected by the natural world. Concepts like demography, the study of population trends, and migration, the movement of people across regions, show how population patterns relate to resource use, pollution, and sustainability. These problems also highlight specific social inequalities: environmental inequality and environmental racism reveal that low-income communities and communities of color are often the most exposed to pollution, toxic waste, and climate-related hazards. Different sociological perspectives help explain these issues in individual ways. Functionalism sees society as a system where all parts work together and views severe environmental problems as dysfunctions that disrupt social stability. Conflict theory focuses on how power and the pursuit of profit drive environmental harm, aiming at corporate practices, weak regulations, and unequal resource distribution. Symbolic interactionism looks at how people’s meanings, definitions, and media perceptions shape how they understand and respond to environmental challenges. 

I selected the Air Quality Index (AQI) from the Environmental Health / Air Quality category. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the AQI reports daily air quality and signals potential health effects. Florida monitors pollutants like ozone (O₃), fine particles (PM₂.₅), particulate matter (PM₁₀), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂). Key measures include the AQI scale (0–500, with values above 100 indicating unhealthy air for sensitive groups), eight-hour ozone averages, and daily and annual PM₂.₅ readings. This data is useful for environmental sociologists because it links human-driven hazards to measurable exposure, highlighting environmental inequality in communities with higher pollution levels. From a conflict theory perspective, differences reflect power and regulation problems; symbolic interactionism emphasizes how residents’ meanings of AQI readings shape behavior; and functionalism views air monitoring as a way to detect and respond to dysfunctions in public health.

Turkey Creek Sanctuary in Palm Bay, FL, is a 130‑acre nature preserve dedicated to protecting local habitats and wildlife. The sanctuary features boardwalks, trails, and a nature center that offers educational programs for students and community members. It preserves diverse habitats like wet hammocks and sand pine scrub while providing opportunities for passive recreation and environmental learning. Although specific pollutant or species data are not publicly detailed, the sanctuary tracks habitat types and encourages community involvement in conservation. Its mission is to protect biodiversity, raise awareness of environmental issues, and connect residents with nature.

References:

Environmental Problems.pdf: 202540-SYG-2010-21Z-40363-Social Problems

Air Quality Index (AQI) | Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Turkey Creek Sanctuary | City of Palm Bay, FL


Caption: Here is a reminder of industrial pollution, smoke releases thick clouds of toxins into the air. The surrounding land is littered with trash and contaminated water, showing the environmental cost of unchecked industrial growth. This scene highlights the need for sustainable practices and environmental health in all communities.

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