It’s new to me too.
Last year, when choosing to commence a biodiversity focused thesis, but in the social sciences, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was up against. To me, the social sciences are psychology focused – a very brilliant field of science but one that I have no background in. I’m a wildlife scientist through and through, and translating my background in ecology and conservation to understanding people felt like a hard slog. But the more I came to understand the social sciences, particularly the environmental social sciences and conservation psychology, I realised how vital it is to anything we do in conservation where human impact is a concern.
After all, understanding people means understanding our impact on the planet.
Environmental social science is a sub-discipline within environmental science (and a whole separate focus in psychology) that focuses on understanding the social, cultural, economic, and political dimensions of environmental issues. It examines how human societies interact with the environment, how individual people conceptualise nature, how environmental changes affect societies, and how social factors influence environmental decision-making and behaviour. Environmental social science draws upon theories and methods from disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, geography, psychology, and history to analyse the complex relationships between humans and the environment.
Key areas of study within environmental social science include:
Environmental Sociology: Investigating how social structures, institutions, and cultural norms shape attitudes, behaviours, and perceptions related to the environment. This includes studying social movements, environmental justice, and the social dynamics of environmental conflicts.
Human Geography: Examining the spatial patterns of human-environment interactions, including land use, urbanisation, migration, and environmental inequalities. Geographers analyse how social processes influence the distribution of resources and environmental risks.
Environmental Economics: Applying economic theories and methods to analyse environmental issues, such as market failures, externalities, and the valuation of natural resources. Environmental economists study policies and incentives to promote sustainable development and address environmental degradation.
Political Ecology: Exploring the political dimensions of environmental change, including power dynamics, governance structures, and the role of institutions in shaping environmental policies and outcomes. Political ecologists examine how conflicts over natural resources are influenced by social and political factors.
Environmental Anthropology: Examining the cultural beliefs, practices, and knowledge systems that shape human interactions with the environment. Anthropologists study indigenous peoples, traditional ecological knowledge, and cultural perceptions of nature.
Environmental Psychology: Investigating how individual attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours are influenced by environmental factors, such as natural landscapes, built environments, and environmental messaging. Psychologists study environmental attitudes, behaviour change, and environmental risk perception.
Environmental social scientists often collaborate with natural scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to address environmental challenges in a holistic and interdisciplinary manner. They may conduct qualitative and quantitative research, participate in community engagement and advocacy efforts, and contribute to policy development and implementation. By understanding the social dimensions of environmental issues, environmental social scientists aim to promote more equitable and sustainable interactions between humans and the environment.
I’m hoping my foray into the social sciences will help me evolve as a professional into a more interdisciplinary scientist, one with more layers, and one better equipped to understand humans for the betterment of Australian biodiversity – and all biodiversity.
