Our first few weeks of ENVS 160 (Intro to Environmental Studies) are focused on exploring the boundaries of environmental studies and learning about different environmental frameworks.

Particularly, we are looking at two main approaches: classic and contemporary environmental thought.  These main categories help us to explore the range in perspective and approaches to environmental issues.  Classic environmental thought, while it originated fairly recently (1960s), centers around models such as the Limits to Growth which stems from a simple “facts and action” approach.  This framework is the primary one today, however a number of scholars in the past decade have adopted a more hopeful model, which we are calling contemporary environmental thought.  This is based on an “its more complicated than that” attitude that recognizes the hugely influential and completely unexpected advancements we’ve made since the 60’s.  We also live in a world that is very different from then in that new advancements and possibilities are developing faster than ever.  Naturally, I find myself drawn to this approach — I’ll celebrate any approach that is more optimistic about our future than many people seem to be these days, however I’m noticing the advantages and drawbacks of each.  Perhaps the two are best used in tandem.

Looking at my own framework, I come from previous courses and communities that, while progressive and thoroughly green, seem to fit in a more “classic” mode of environmental thought.  While the sustainability movement is an exciting one, I have noticed a fair amount of pessimism, urgency, and stress in these communities, and in myself, with regard to our future.  I do see climate change and a variety of other global disasters as top priorities.  But I’m starting to realize that the definition of “true environmentalism,” as I’ve encountered it in more mainstream culture, can be pretty narrow.  The attitude seems to be: to care properly and deeply about the environment, you have to be upset at how things are and “freaking out” about the impending doom.  As with many other issues of our time, we can end up following one path of “environmentalism,” yet environmental studies in particular is more complex than that because it is so multifaceted.  I’m looking forward to expanding my understanding of environmentalism and nature by investigating how these ideas are treated in other cultures.