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A vital aspect of English 145 is the ability to convey the relevance of a topic through connections to important global issues. Predominant international concerns include climate change and environmental degradation. The environment refers to the natural world as a whole or specific geographic areas. This term can also reference the physical surroundings in which someone or something lives. The aim of this webpage is to combat student disengagement and lack of awareness of the issue of environmental degradation by analyzing various specific examples and recommending credible sources for accurate and efficient research.
To better understand environmental issues, the societal, economic, and ecological components of the environment must be evaluated. By distinguishing the differences and similarities between these environmental factors, overlaps and connections become easier to identify. Actively engaging with sources that positively contribute to the environment can aid individuals in improving environmental awareness and thoroughly considering environmental implications.
("Ecology Society Economy Diagram Environment Background" 2008)
Definitions
Society
Society
The social environment refers to how individuals interact with each other and society.
Ecology
The ecological aspect of the environment encompasses physical properties including air, water, plants, biodiversity, and ecosystems.
Economy
Economy
The economic environment refers to the external factors and conditions that influence the functioning of an economy and the decisions of businesses and individuals within.
Examples & Analysis
"All forms of electricity generation have an environmental impact on our air, water and land, but it varies. Of the total energy consumed in the United States, about 40% is used to generate electricity, making electricity use an important part of each person’s environmental footprint. Producing and using electricity more efficiently reduces both the amount of fuel needed to generate electricity and the amount of greenhouse gases and other air pollution emitted as a result. Electricity from renewable resources such as solar, geothermal, and wind generally does not contribute to climate change or local air pollution since no fuels are combusted" (“Learn about Energy”).
The quote discusses an ecological environment issue of electricity generation. The quote emphasizes energy consumption to further explain the importance of creating reliable and healthy practices. Current energy production relies on tactics that cause air pollution and climate change. Renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal, and wind power are presented as effective solutions that do not release pollutants and would lower fuel consumption. Switching to different methods promotes environmental health and a future with a more sustainable climate.
“Neoliberalism is a driving force causing the climate crisis. This is because neoliberalism is a variant of classic liberalism, and classical liberalism builds from the idea that everyone should be granted maximum freedom to pursue their self-interest within capitalist market settings. But neoliberalism also diverges substantially from classical liberalism, and therefore also from the basic premises of orthodox economics that free markets, left to their own devices, will produce outcomes that are superior to government interventions. Here is the problem with neoliberalism, when counterposed against a purely free market model celebrated by economic orthodoxy. That is, what really occurs in practice under neoliberalism is that governments allow giant corporations to freely pursue profit opportunities to the maximum extent. But then government fixers arrive on the scene to bail out the corporations whenever their profits might be threatened. This amounts to socialism for capitalists, and harsh, free market capitalism for everyone else” (Chomsky and Pollin 20).
This quote is an example of an economic environment. Chomsky and Pollin discuss a neoliberal economy that prioritizes corporate profit with government assistance. Leading to an economy that divides into two separate economic environments: one of the working class, who sustains the economy through labor, and another thar exploits the labor for profit. A connection also exists within the ecological environment as the free market prioritizes short term financial gains and fewer production restrictions, resulting in neoliberal policies that worsen climate conditions and emissions.
“‘Ethical conduct or moral and immoral conduct is always a social phenomenon— in other words, it makes absolutely no sense to talk about ethical and moral conduct separately from relations of human beings to each other, and an individual who exists purely for himself is an empty abstraction’” (Butler 195).
This quote exemplifies a societal environment, addressing how the concept of ethical conduct in society is purposeless without human interaction. The quote additionally discusses the importance of connections and relationships to how ethical principles are applied and understood. Furthermore, the quote highlights that societies sense of morality is significantly influenced by social environments. Relationships with others not only provide opportunities to practice ethical behavior but also discuss different perceptions of right and wrong.
Videos
How Can We Respond to Climate Change?: Crash Course Climate & Energy #12 (14:06)
This video explains climate change, how corporations are involved, and movements that promote ways to fix the problem.
Cultures, Subcultures, and Countercultures: Crash Course Sociology #11 (9:39)
This video explains how culture affects society and creates unique identities within communities.
Finding Sources
This search engine plants a tree for every query typed into the search bar. In addition, the search engine highlights environmentally conscious companies in the search results provided. All results come from accredited, peer-reviewed sources. This site allows students to find reliable information for their writing while simultaneously contributing to environmental conservation without even realizing.
Europa World is a comprehensive global resource offering political, environmental, and statistical data on international and regional organizations. Users can search by country or region, where they will find relevant policies and governmental information on pressing regional issues. Each region’s page includes a directory of key government officials, providing insights into individuals who may serve as important stakeholders. Students can access up-to-date political and economic statistics and compare national data in graphical and tabular formats. These features are ideal for enhancing student research and ensuring credible and detailed content for academic writing.
The article "Renewable Resources" explains how renewable resources generate clean, sustainable energy and are naturally replenished. Students can easily find a list of renewable resources on this site, which also delves into sustainability topics—making this a valuable resource for anyone writing about alternative energy benefits.
Cal Poly students have access to a digital library via OneSearch. By entering keywords like "fish population Los Angeles" and selecting the peer-reviewed journal option, students can efficiently find reliable, scholarly sources for their research. This feature provides easy access to credible references to support academic work.
Rapusia is an eco-friendly search engine that differs from traditional ones by donating the revenue from ads to social and environmental projects. Each search earns "hearts," which, once accumulated, are converted into money to fund a project of the user's choice. Students can contribute to eco-initiatives while conducting their research.
The article "Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Electricity" presents a bar graph showing the energy contribution of each source to CO2 emissions. The graph provided supports the claim that 40% of the total energy consumed in the U.S. is used for electricity generation. This detailed resource provides valuable data that students can reference in their academic work.
Works Cited
Butler, Judith. " Notes Toward a Performative Theory of Assembly, Harvard UP, 2015. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvjghvt2.
“Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Electricity.” World Nuclear Association, Oct. 2022, world-nuclear.org/information-library/energy-and-the-environment/carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-electricity.aspx. Accessed 10 Mar. 2024.
Chomsky, Noam, and Robert Pollin. Climate Crisis and the Global Green New Deal: The Political Economy of Saving the Planet. Verso, 2020.
"Cultures, Subcultures, and Countercultures: Crash Course Sociology #11." Youtube, uploaded by CrashCourse, 22 May 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV50AV7-Iwc
“Definition of ‘Environment.’” United States Environmental Protection Agency, 30 May 2023, https://www.epa.gov/epcra/definition-environment.
"Ecology Society Economy Diagram Environment Background." Wikimedia Commons, 23 Dec. 2008, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.phtitle=File:Ecology_ Society_Economy_diagram_Environment_background.jpg&oldid=460035792>.
“Europa World: Online Resources.” Librarian Resources, 7 Dec. 2023, librarianresources.taylorandfrancis.com/product-info/digital-products/online-resources/europa-world/. Accessed 13 Mar. 2024.
“Familiar Search, Greener Impact.” Ecosia, https://www.ecosia.org/. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025,
“General Information.” Rapusia, rapusia.org/faq/. Accessed 13 Mar. 2024.
"How Can We Respond to Climate Change?: Crash Course Climate & Energy #12." Youtube, uploaded by CrashCourse, 26 Apr. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p51wKUuwOU
“Learn about Energy and its Impact on the Environment.” United States Environmental Protection Agency, 17 Nov. 2022, https://www.epa.gov/epcra/definition-environment.
“One Search.” CSU, Cal Poly Robert. E Kennedy Library, csu-calpoly.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?vid=01CALS_PSU%3A01CALS_PSU. Accessed 13 Mar. 2024.
“Renewable Resources.”, National Geographic, education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/renewable-resources/. Accessed 10 Mar. 2024.
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