Environmental Science and Criminology: What’s the link?

We often hear about how environmental issues like climate change, fossil fuels and greenhouse gases all originate from scientifically proven processes that occur across the Earth and influence our lives. Though we sometimes forget that throughout history, these environmental issues have been initiated by human activity that deteriorates our environment. The creation of human-made machinery and use of coal powered energy sources are a major contributor to the deterioration of our environment; with even more technological advancement, there has been an even bigger impact on the ways these contributions affect us and the planet. 

So, what do we do about the growing deterioration of our planet? Of course, there is undoubtedly a huge need for scientific research on rapidly evolving climate change processes. 

However, there also needs to be planning at a social science level, including focus on infrastructure, human routines, policies, and programs. After all, this boils down to the main point: that climate change is a human made phenomenon, and we need humans of different experiences and expertise to be working to combat it with all hands-on deck. 

A human-made problem needs to be addressed by everyone, and social sciences play a huge role in making that happen. For example, for systematic change to happen, there needs to be work from researchers in the political field to propose policies and laws for countries to follow and implement into their environmental systems. Criminologists would also play a huge role in examining the relationship between the lingering promises of environmental improvement made by leaders and corporations, and how much change is actually happening. This is important to hold these supposed leaders in environmental protection accountable and incorporate criminal codes and regulations into the equation.

In reflection, climate change and environmental issues are concepts that need attention from everyone, whether it be students, academics, or policy makers of various areas of expertise. Scientists need help from all people, and we must rely on the truth that science shows us, which is that climate change requires us to work together alongside the environment.