Social constructionism is a multidisciplinary theory that examines how individuals collectively perceive and construct knowledge about a specific phenomenon, such as the environment. Here I aim to explore the shared assumptions underlying the social construction of the environment and reality. Drawing on various lenses from disciplines like Geography, Sociology, Communications theory, and Philosophy, I critically examine the social construction within each discipline and inquire into their ethical implications. The theory of social construction asserts that every notion is collectively formed rather than individually constructed. I explore how environmental disasters intersect with the social and political domains, influencing international relations through policies, impacts, and actions. By analyzing print and digital media coverage of the environment, I attempt to contribute toward the development of a social construction of the environment.
Theorizing social construction in International Relations:
Social constructionism posits that social constructs exist as a result of human interaction rather than in objective reality. It recognizes how individuals' interactions within society shape their perspectives and understanding of the world. This interdisciplinary discourse asserts that individuals actively construct their knowledge, and reality is shaped by their experiences as learners. The social construction of environmental issues is a multidisciplinary concept associated with disciplines like philosophy, sociology, and linguistics. It acknowledges that the environment is constructed through social institutions and influenced by factors such as families, schools, religion, and the media. Our understanding of environmental problems is socially constructed through media and other interactions. These issues encompass environmental attitudes, behaviors, environmental justice, sustainable development, and environmental management. Environmental problems predominantly result from human behavior and decision-making, necessitating changes in human activity to improve the environment. These problems have a significant impact on people, as demonstrated by the consequences of natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes. The effects of such disasters on societies and economies are enduring, exemplified by the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010 and Hurricane Katrina's impact on the Gulf Coast of the USA in 2005. While hurricanes are considered natural disasters, the catastrophic outcomes of events like Katrina highlight the role of social and political failures.
The traditional social construction of the environment in the existing literature:
Social construction refers to shared assumptions held by a particular society or group regarding a particular subject. The social construction of the environment falls under strong social construction, which emphasizes that human perspective and knowledge construct reality rather than simply existing. To understand the existing literature on the social construction of the environment, we must delve into the fields of geography, sociology, communications theory, and philosophy, as these disciplines closely engage with the subject matter.
In the field of geography, the relationship between humans and their surrounding environment is a major focus. Geography seeks to explore the behavior of people about their environment and predicts how they will interact with it. This deterministic approach sparks debates within the discipline. However, for this research paper, we will not delve into those debates, as they are specific to geography. It is essential to note that within geography, the term "environment" takes on a different meaning. Geographers consider the socially constructed environment to include not only untouched or natural surroundings but also the infrastructures built by humans. This distinction sets geographers apart from environmentalists who perceive the environment solely as untouched nature. Geographers argue that the environment encompasses both human creations and the natural environment. This distinction leads to a debate between the "social construction of nature" and the "social production of nature" within geography.
Moving on to communication theory, the role of the media in shaping environmental concerns is a matter of ethics and political affiliation. It is crucial to emphasize that the media plays a significant role in shaping environmental concerns and public opinion. Some communication theorists even argue that the social construction of the environment primarily depends on the public media. However, it is important to note that the media's role is not solely driven by ethical considerations but also by their purpose and objectives. Media texts and imagery are socially constructed and result in competing interpretations of reality. Communication theory explores how media messages influence public opinion, how individuals respond to those messages, and how political affiliations impact environmental concerns. Different types of media present environmental issues in diverse lights, and documentaries often contain political messages about the environment. Media messages are motivated by specific purposes rather than solely driven by ethical considerations. However, this does not imply that communication theorists lack concern for the environment. Environmental concerns have gained prominence since the 1980s, leading to the formation of environmental pressure groups and eco-journalism organizations. While some studies indicate that the public perceives a negative quality in environmental content provided by journalists, it is worth noting that non-consumers of mass media show greater personal commitment to environmental concerns. These studies highlight the complex nature of how individuals negotiate and interpret environmental messages.
For Karl Marx, explaining and protecting non-human nature was not an urgent priority as his primary focus was on capitalist dynamics. However, if Marx were writing in the 21st century, non-human nature might have found greater importance in his writings. Early 20th-century sociologists were not particularly enthusiastic about environmental issues, but there were exceptions. Some sociologists embraced the idea of environmental issues, viewing socialism and environmentalism as interconnected, leading to the concept of "eco-socialism" and blaming capitalists for environmental destruction. In recent years, Marxists have adopted critical theory to analyze society-nature relations. The sociological constructionist perspective places human societies at the center of study and allows for critical approaches to knowledge production within environmental movements. Sociologists argue that they can explain why and how the environment gained prominence, rather than accepting that the environment in society was socially constructed out of necessity. This perspective also enables other disciplines, such as politics, to explore the construction of the environment in its political contexts. From a sociological constructionist perspective, environmental issues and their interpretation are influenced by a dynamic and interpretive interaction. However, the complexity involved in how readers negotiate and interpret environmental messages limits the validity of studies examining individual interpretations of these messages.
In conclusion, the social construction of the environment is a multidisciplinary concept that requires exploration from various academic perspectives. Geography, sociology, communications theory, and philosophy all contribute to our understanding of how the environment is socially constructed. It is important to recognize that the environment is not solely defined by untouched nature but also includes human-made structures. The media plays a significant role in shaping environmental concerns, but its messages are driven by various factors, including political affiliations and organizational objectives. The intersection of social and political contexts with environmental issues is crucial in understanding the construction of the environment. While there are differing perspectives and debates within these disciplines, the overall understanding is that the environment is socially constructed through collective human interactions and interpretations.