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Environmental geographies - Coggle Diagram
Environmental geographies
Human-Environment Interaction - The ways in which human activities shape, and are shaped by, the natural environment.
Key Topics
Land use change (deforestation, urbanization, agriculture)
Environmental degradation (soil erosion, desertification, water scarcity)
Human impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity
Adaptation and mitigation strategies in response to environmental change
Debates
How can human societies live sustainably within environmental limits?
To what extent should environmental policies prioritize economic growth versus environmental conservation?
The role of human agency in environmental change (e.g., anthropocentric versus ecocentric perspectives).
Sustainability and Sustainable Development
Key Topics
Sustainability indicators (economic, social, and environmental)
Sustainable urbanization and green cities
Renewable energy and sustainable agriculture
Circular economies and resource efficiency
Key Debates
Can sustainability be achieved within the current economic system?
How do we measure sustainability across different regions and communities?
The role of technology versus behavior change in achieving sustainability.
Political Ecology - The study of power dynamics and social relations in the context of environmental change.
Key Topics
Environmental justice and inequality
Resource management and governance
Conflicts over land and natural resources
The role of state and non-state actors in environmental governance
Key Debates
Who benefits from environmental policies and whose voices are marginalized?
How do global inequalities shape environmental degradation and resource access?
The intersection of environmental degradation with race, class, and colonial histories.
Environmental Justice -Examining the fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, especially for marginalized communities.
Key topics
Disproportionate environmental risks for vulnerable populations (e.g., low-income communities, Indigenous groups, Global South)
The right to a healthy environment
Environmental racism and classism
Environmental rights and legal frameworks
Key debates
How should the environmental impacts of industrialization and urbanization be distributed?
What is the role of global institutions in addressing environmental justice issues?
Can environmental justice be reconciled with the economic development goals of nations?
Climate Change and Environmental Impact -Understanding the causes, impacts, and responses to climate change from a geographic perspective.
Key topics
Impacts of climate change on ecosystems, agriculture, and human health
Climate adaptation and mitigation strategies
Vulnerability and resilience to climate change
The role of geography in understanding climate variability and change
Key debates
How should different regions adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change?
What are the social and economic consequences of climate change for different groups?
How can global climate change policy be implemented at local levels?
Ecological Economics - Integrating economic analysis with environmental concerns, aiming for an economy that respects ecological limits.
Key Topics
Valuation of ecosystem services
Green economy and ecological footprint analysis
Economic policies for environmental protection (e.g., carbon pricing, eco-taxation)
Natural capital and environmental accounting
Key Debates
How do we incorporate the value of nature into economic decision-making?
Can market-based solutions adequately address environmental degradation?
What are the ethical implications of monetizing nature?
Environmental Risk and Hazard Management
Key topics
Natural hazards (earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires)
Technological hazards (nuclear accidents, oil spills, industrial accidents)
Risk perception and public engagement in disaster planning
Disaster resilience and recovery strategies
Key Debates
How can we better assess and communicate environmental risks to the public?
What role should governments, NGOs, and private actors play in disaster risk management?
How do we address the social vulnerabilities that exacerbate disaster impacts?
Resource Management and Governance -Managing natural resources sustainably and equitably across various scales.
Key Topics
Renewable and non-renewable resources (e.g., water, energy, minerals)
The commons and common-pool resources (e.g., fisheries, forests)
Governance frameworks for resource management
Conflict and cooperation over resource access
Key Debates
How can resources be managed effectively in a context of rising global demand?
Should resources be governed by the state, the market, or communities?
The challenge of balancing local, national, and global priorities in resource management.
Environmental Ethics -The moral dimensions of environmental issues, asking questions about human responsibility towards nature.
Key topics
Anthropocentrism vs. ecocentrism
The intrinsic value of nature
Ethical considerations in resource use and conservation
Intergenerational ethics and responsibility to future generations
Key debates
Do humans have an ethical obligation to protect nature, and if so, to what extent?
How do we balance human needs with the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity?
Can we justify actions that harm the environment for economic or developmental purposes?