Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
A
Environmental Determinism
ENVIRONMENT
SOCIETY
B
Technological Materialism
ENVIRONMENT
TECHNOLOGY
SOCIETY
C
Adaptive Systems
Environmental Perception/Prediction
Goals/Desires
Resource Use
Support/Effects
ENVIRONMENT
TECHNOLOGY
SOCIETY
Defines Resources
Biophysical Impacts
Creates/
Perpetuates
Adaptive Mechanisms/
Strategies
Cultural Landscape
16. Three models of environment-human interaction:
(A) 'environmental determinism'; (B) 'technological materialism';
and (C) 'adaptive systems'
'Technological materialism' recognizes the important role of
technology in mediating both the way the environment affects
society and how society affects the environment. The way people
view their environment often refl ects the extent to which the
exploitation of resources is possible given the technological
aids available to them. In other words, technology can be an
enabling factor. Invention of the plough, for example, enabled
agrarian societies to intensify land-use and increase productivity.
This in turn led to greater human impacts on soil fertility and
