Introduction
Economic problems resulting from the environmental crisis are typical for all countries, regardless of their level of development. Currently, the problem of environmental crisis is acute throughout the world, it impacts many areas of human activity, including a strong impact on the state economy and the economy of the world as a whole.
Discussion
Economic and environmental problems are closely linked, and in solving one of them, scientists can not exclude the other. Just as the state of the environment directly shapes the potential of the economic sphere, hence, its rapid progress brings changes to the world’s ecological state. This problem must be considered from the perspective of structural functionalism since the essence of environmental problems cannot be isolated from the context of such an ecological sphere of society.
Intensive economic development leads to increased energy consumption which destroys the economic balance in the world. New deposits of oil, gas, and coal are constantly being discovered, but many countries continue to experience an acute shortage of these resources, and by 2050, a total shortage of energy resources is predicted (Dunnivant & Norgaard, 2017). To date, more than 2 billion hectares of forest out of 6 have been destroyed: the United States has lost more than a third of its acreage (Dunnivant & Norgaard, 2017). The processes of deforestation are the reason for soil degradation which makes farming and agricultural processes in some territories impossible. Loss of forests means a reduction in food, energy, and other forest products that affects the economies of many nations.
Conclusion
Thus, coordinated action by the governments of different countries is required to improve the situation. Large international organizations must consider how environmental problems affect the economy and other spheres of society (Macionis, 2022). It is necessary to search for such options for the development of efficient production, transport, and renewable energy use, as well as waste processing technologies that will not pollute the atmosphere and will prevent economic crises (Sociology, 2017). This sociological phenomenon can be effectively analyzed from the perspective of structural functionalism.
References
Dunnivant, F., & Norgaard, K. (2017). Environmental success stories: Solving major ecological problems and confronting climate change. Columbia University Press.
Macionis, J. J. (2022). Society: The basics (10th ed.). Pearson College.
Sociology. (2017). Major Sociological Paradigms: Crash Course Sociology #2 [Video]. YouTube. Web.