Author Question: What does the conflict perspective state about environmental problems? What will be an ideal ... (Read 115 times)

go.lag · **on:** Jul 2, 2018

What does the conflict perspective state about environmental problems?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What was the outcome of the fervor generated by environmental groups in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s?

What will be an ideal response?

nikmaaacs · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 2, 2018

Answer to Question 1

From the conflict perspective, environmental problems have less to do with the limited amount of resources available than with their distribution. The problem is not how much is available but who gets a share of what is available. Decisions that affect the environment are not made on the basis of maintaining a balance in an ecosystem but on the basis of how successfully interest groups compete for a share of the resources available. The manner in which the environment is used emerges out of this competition of groups for varying amounts of power and other resources.

Answer to Question 2

The fervor generated by major nationwide environmental groups set the stage for some very important legislation in the 1970s. In 1969, for example, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was passed, which required that public hearings be held on matters that might adversely affect the environment and that environmental impact studies be conducted to assess these possible effects. Also in the early 1970s, the Clean Air Act and the Water Pollution Control Act were passed, and these laws led to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).