Humans are increasingly involved in altering and disrupting the structure and function of the environment; That's why there are so few spots on earth today that remain untouched and natural. On the other hand, such environmental consequences may in the future and in the future also affect human decisions and behavior, although so far different models for keeping the environment healthy have been proposed by many scientists in various fields. In the present work, the contexts and concepts of social sciences in its general meaning, and sociology in its specific meaning have been used to move towards the environment and environmental health; It is hoped that not only present generations will enjoy a healthy environment, but that future generations will also enjoy healthy and uplifting environmental systems.
Although the economic development of societies is their main goal today, it has a profound effect on the environment; Like what we see today in the industrial and urban areas of China. Since lands are not just for the present and present generations in those societies, so far as future generations are concerned, the exploitation of resources, the interaction with the environment, and the economic, industrial, and developmental behavior of human beings. Citizens and decision-makers need to be able to ensure that future generations also have greater health and environmental adequacy; That is, what is meant by sustainable development. From a sociological point of view, social services, its creation and establishment, as far as it is effective and needed, can itself help to protect the environment. Therefore, in addition to economic and industrial development, the development of social services should be done according to the needs of the day and with a view to the environment. Therefore, the quantitative and qualitative development of social services in the form of its types can itself help to preserve and protect the environment. Due to the expansion of cities and increasing urban density, investing in various sectors of social services is one of the main priorities of today's societies. Due to the limited water resources in the present era, on the one hand, and, consequently, the vulnerability of energy resources, in such circumstances, the environmental impact is always increasing, and it itself needs proper and efficient management. Also, from a sociological point of view, solid waste management is of considerable importance due to the urban population and increasing consumption.
Since energy itself is considered as an infrastructure for environmental protection, the creation of energy infrastructure must also be provided. In this way, and by creating such a link, sanitation and protection of the environment can be continued. Sociologists have always emphasized the threefold relationship between the environment, water, and energy. While energy production itself is highly dependent on water, water supply and transmission, and wastewater disposal and transfer also require energy. While water and energy are necessary for each other, they also provide health and safety. Also, any interaction such as sanitation and water purification is highly dependent on energy. The growing phenomenon of migration is also widely affecting the environment; That is, cities, urban suburbs, construction and creation of unauthorized residential places, sewage system, etc., each in turn play a role in environmental degradation. At the same time, and as far as the objective and mental health of the family is concerned, the environment has a decisive role in it. Therefore, the effective and regular functioning of one's family depends on the health of the environment.
Keeping the agricultural sector active and creating active employment in this sector, while preventing rural migration, also contributes to the health of the urban environment. Environmental education itself is a milestone in environmental sociology. Training and providing the necessary solutions will enable future generations to have more guarantees in terms of their livelihood and life, especially in urban communities. The balance of population and urban spaces is also considered as a guarantor of environmental health. The factor of high population density in urban areas, in addition to environmental degradation, leads to economic disruption, housing crisis, unbridled increase in prices and many other social unrest. Therefore, prioritizing environmental studies can bring societies in general, and developing societies in particular, closer to social health.
On the other hand, the sustainability of peace, security and development all play an important role in maintaining the health of the environment. Adequate investment in community welfare, welfare and social work also contributes to the health of the environment. While many communities are expanding their tourism industry to make money, it is affecting the environment in various ways, both positively and negatively; The destruction of beaches, forests and many other social pollutions are among its negative effects. The loss of environmental health in the present age is the result of an increase in births in the not-so-distant past, so to maintain environmental health, communities must always monitor their fertility index, and for both births one Plant trees to provide environmental balance and fertility. Hence, many of the environmental issues and challenges of the 21st century are probably due to the persistence of 20th century issues.
Pollution from industry and technology today is transmitted from developed countries to less developed countries with low wages. For example, the transfer of capital from Western societies to East Asian countries, or even from China to Vietnam, is itself the source of the transfer of environmental pollution. Therefore, the use of superior technologies, along with the use of catalysts and purifiers, can itself be effective in preserving the environment. Therefore, in addition to gaining knowledge and awareness, the environment in today's societies should be a policy priority in many countries. Since the relationship between community health and environmental quality is increasingly recognized as a significant sociological issue, different societies should recognize the indicators that determine this relationship, and always try to balance them.
Author(s) Details:
Mohammad Taghi Sheykhi,
Emeritus of Sociology, Alzahra University, Iran.
Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/SOE/issue/view/887
