Chapter Overview
Relationships between economic activity and environmental change, sustainability challenges.
This chapter examines the complex relationships between economic geography and the environment. We explore how economic activities impact natural systems, how environmental resources and constraints shape economic possibilities, and how societies are responding to sustainability challenges. Understanding environment-economy relationships is essential for addressing climate change and building sustainable economies.
Chapter Resources
Required Reading
- Textbook: Chapter 11
- Coe, Kelly & Yeung (2019)
- Economic Geography: A Contemporary Introduction
Download Slides
Video Content
- Multiple lecture sections
- Environment and economy
- Watch at your own pace
Video Lectures
Section 11.1: Economy-Environment Relationships ~15 minutes
Understanding how economic activities interact with natural systems and environmental processes.
Section 11.2: Resource Geographies ~15 minutes
The geography of natural resources: extraction, distribution, and the resource curse.
Section 11.3: Climate Change & Economic Geography ~15 minutes
How climate change affects economic activities and how economic geography contributes to emissions.
Section 11.4: Sustainable Development & Green Economy ~15 minutes
Pathways to sustainability: green industries, circular economy, and just transitions.
Key Takeaways
Environmental Fundamentals
- Economic activities are fundamentally dependent on and embedded in natural systems
- Environmental impacts of economic activity are unevenly distributed across space
- Climate change poses significant challenges for economic geography worldwide
- Transitions to sustainability will reshape economic landscapes significantly
Key Concepts
- Resource Curse: The paradox of resource-rich countries having poor development outcomes
- Environmental Justice: Unequal distribution of environmental harms across communities
- Carbon Footprint: Geographic patterns of greenhouse gas emissions
- Green Economy: Economic activities that reduce environmental impact
- Just Transition: Ensuring fairness for workers and communities in economic shifts
Discussion Questions
Consider these questions as you watch the lectures and complete the readings:
- How does your local economy depend on and impact the natural environment?
- Why do some resource-rich regions remain economically underdeveloped?
- Who bears the greatest burden of environmental problems, and is this fair?
- What economic opportunities does the transition to sustainability create?
- How can we ensure that green transitions don't harm vulnerable communities?