Thinking Social-Scientifically about Environmental Quality

Abstract

Technological intervention to improve the qual ity of the environment is an immediate need. The current environmental crisis is rooted in the character of the society which develops and uses technology. The relation of society to its physical environment is governed by the society's defini tions of its resources and the rules evolved for regulating social relations with respect to the environment. Fundamen tal solutions to environmental problems must, therefore, in clude social solutions. To stem deterioration of the quality of the environment will require an examination of those rules regulating the relation between individuals and the collective.