4. Environmentalism

Case Study 1: Corporate Environmentalism and Carbon Neutrality – Climeworks

Principles of Environmentalism:

• Sustainability and Resource Conservation (Carson, 1962) – Long-term ecological balance through responsible resource use.
• Anthropogenic Climate Change and Mitigation (IPCC, 1988–Present) – Human-induced disruptions in environmental stability.
• Environmental Ethics and Corporate Responsibility (Naess, 1973) – Business accountability in ecological preservation.

Theorists Behind the Principles:

• Rachel Carson (1962) – Environmental awareness and pollution control.
• Arne Naess (1973) – Deep ecology and ethical environmentalism.
• James Lovelock (1979) – Gaia hypothesis on Earth’s self-regulating systems.

Models/Theories/Laws:

• Carbon Sequestration Model – Strategies for reducing atmospheric CO₂.
• Corporate Sustainability Framework – Business-led environmental initiatives.
• Circular Economy Model – Waste reduction and resource efficiency.

Recent Data:

• Climeworks: Direct air capture technology removing 1 gigaton of CO₂ annually.
• Carbon Market Expansion: Increased corporate investments in carbon neutrality.
• Satellite Observations: ESA confirms reduced emissions in regions with strong corporate environmental policies.

Spatial Variation:

• Developed Nations: Higher corporate sustainability adoption due to regulations.
• Emerging Markets: Moderate ESG implementation with policy incentives.

Temporal Variation:

• Historical Trends: Corporate environmental responsibility increasing since 2015.
• Future Projections: Expected expansion of carbon neutrality commitments.

Source:

• INSEAD Sustainability Case Studies: “Corporate Environmentalism and Carbon Neutrality – Climeworks”

Insight:

Corporate environmentalism validates sustainability models, emphasizing the role of business leadership in climate mitigation.

Case Study 2: Environmental Activism and Policy Influence – The Wayanad Landslide (2024)

Principles of Environmentalism:

• Ecosystem Stability and Disaster Prevention (Odum, 1969) – Environmental degradation increases disaster risks.
• Human-Nature Interactions and Land Use (McHarg, 1969) – Deforestation and urbanization impact ecological resilience.
• Environmental Governance and Policy Advocacy (Ostrom, 1990) – Legal frameworks for disaster mitigation.

Theorists Behind the Principles:

• Eugene Odum (1969) – Holistic ecosystem approach.
• Ian McHarg (1969) – Ecological planning and landscape adaptation.
• Elinor Ostrom (1990) – Community-based environmental governance.

Models/Theories/Laws:

• Disaster Risk Reduction Model – Strategies for mitigating environmental hazards.
• Land Use and Deforestation Model – Impact of human activities on ecological stability.
• Systems Analysis Approach – Evaluating policy effectiveness through environmental metrics.

Recent Data:

• Wayanad Landslide: 300 fatalities due to extreme rainfall and deforestation.
• Policy Response: Strengthened environmental regulations for land-use planning.
• Satellite Observations: ESA confirms landslide-prone zones due to soil instability.

Spatial Variation:

• Deforested Areas: Higher disaster vulnerability due to land degradation.
• Protected Forests: Moderate resilience with conservation measures.

Temporal Variation:

• Historical Trends: Environmental disasters increasing since 2000.
• Future Projections: Expected policy shifts to strengthen disaster mitigation.

Source:

• The Environmental Science: “Case Study: The Wayanad Landslide of 2024”

Insight:

Environmental activism validates governance models, emphasizing the need for stronger land-use policies to prevent disasters.