Many introductory sociology textbooks do not include a chapter on the environment. Yet it is well established that climate change has social or ‘anthropogenic’ causes and that environmental problems have a range of social impacts and are the topic for widespread social concern and action.

This chapter will help you develop an appreciation of what is sociological about the environment and the importance of including consideration of environmental issues in the study of contemporary society.

Sociological discussions of environmental issues often revolve around:

• Debates about the relationship between nature and society; whether the environment is an appropriate topic for sociology and, if so, how it should be conceptualized.
• Discussions of the underlying social causes of environmental problems.
• A focus on the unequal distribution and experience of environmental problems and risks.
• Discussions of environmental concern and action and what kinds of social change might be needed for moving towards a more sustainable society.

This chapter will introduce you to debates and research in these four key areas. It does not cover all sociological research on environmental issues but aims to convince you that the environment is a topic worthy of sociological attention and inspire you to find out more."