The following theories relate to the environmental issue of water, and the global water crisis: Nature as an economic resource, Custodianship and protectionism and Human vs. nature.
The natural environment is being transformed by society, and the natural environment has for many years been considered a mere object, an object that is present to serve human needs and satisfy human interests. The fact that humans originally thought that the environment was merely a means to serve humans has lead to major environmental degradation and the destruction of species. This theory or thought can be linked to the global water crisis, as it is because humans have made use of water in an irresponsible manner and have continued to cause other environmental problems that water sources have depleted. The global water crisis has been caused directly by human activity and indirectly by other factors, however these factors like climate change has also stemmed from human increased human activity and lack of concern. (Dickens, P. 2004. Chapter one. In: Society and Nature: changing our environment, changing OURSELVES. Cambridge: Polity Press.)
When considering the global water crisis, the age of enlightenment and thus the nature as a resource theory is relevant. According to theorists Bacon and then Glanville nature may be mastered, managed and used in the services of human life. It is prevalent, according to theorists, that nature was seen as mainly designed for human purposes. The theory of privatised land can be linked to the global water crisis because not only does the theory argue that privatised land was best for ensuring that a balanced earth could be passed on to future generations but activities like clearing forests and mining, which were encouraged, were a means of generating wealth and a new kind of person, the enlightened person. Thus the new kind of person and the increase in human activity had a direct impact on the availability of resources like water, and later the quality of resources like water. It is the drive for wealth and an increase in population and thus industry that has had a direct impact on the quality and quantity of water available now and for future generations. (Hannigan, J. 1995. Chapter three: Environmental discourse. In : Environmental sociology. New York: Routledge)
Industry is a means by which nature is transformed into goods, thus causing nature to be transformed. The increase in industry has caused the demand for resources like water to increase dramatically however, this over demand results in a decrease in the supply due to mismanagement of water and other environmental resources, over demand and constant supply.
The environmental discourse: The theorist Brulle came up with nine distinct environmental discourses, to which, in some cases the global water crisis relates. The manifest destiny discourse, focuses on the fact that exploitation and development of natural resources gives the environment value, directly relates to the water crisis in that the constant human activity like mining and agriculture which may give the environment value, in turn destructs the environment and has a considerable affect on vital resources like water. The conservation discourse reveals that natural resources should be technically managed from a utilitarian perspective; this discourse in particular reflects the action taken by governments and the global population in the twenty first century, as the realisation and reality of the water crisis has become more clear and concerning, as well as, the process as conserving water has become more prevalent and encouraged. Reform environmentalism discourse states that ecosystems must be protected for human health reasons, although the water crisis does not compliment this discourse to a large extent, the discourse does allow one to consider the following: when one considers water an important resource and thus needs to be protected and conserved to prevent it from becoming infected or polluted and thus becoming a health threat to those who demand and consume it. (Hannigan, J. 1995. Chapter three: Environmental discourse. In : Environmental sociology. New York: Routledge)
The fact that a number of communities do not have access to fresh drinking water or their source of water has been infected due to mismanagement or irresponsibility is supported by the environmental justice discourse. The environmental justice discourse states that ecological problems reflect and are a product of fundamental social inequalities. The municipality of certain areas in South Africa are to blame for contaminated water sources or polluted waters as their lack of service and infrastructure has resulted in these various water problems and thus disequilibrium in demand for water. Eco-theology, states that humans have an obligation and to preserve and protect nature since it is divinely created, water is a vital resource and is needed to sustain life on earth thus it is up to the present population to rectify the global water crisis and discover and develop appropriate, sustainable and long term solutions. “The power imbalances inherent in the global economic system lead to situations where lower income residents are differently impacted environmentally” this theory which comes under environmental justice, is particularly relevant when considering the water crisis because it is the poorer countries and people that as a result of a lack of infrastructure and inefficient government rule that the various populations do not have access to clean and safe drinking water, particularly evident in African countries and countries like India.
Ecosystem discourse which has been developed on the view of: human interference in biotic communities upsets the balance of nature. This discourse in particular links with the global water crisis in that the growth of urbanism, population and industry which is discussed in terms of this discourse has had and will continue to have a negative effect on the availability and quality of water and water sources globally. An increase in urbanism and industry, and complimentary an increase in population has resulted in increased pollution, construction, and in general environmental destruction. There are more people dependent on the earth’s resources, and in particular developments in technology have resulted in an increase in demand for resources like water. (Hannigan, J. 1995. Chapter three: Environmental discourse. In : Environmental sociology. New York: Routledge)
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