The concept of environmental psychology isn’t necessarily what everyone may think it is. Environmental psychology is involved in many factors, but put most broadly, it addresses how persons interact with their environment and seeks to improve them. While this week’s chapter may open with an example of an eco-terrorist and his actions, environmental psychology is also involved in how buildings are laid out and the overall functionality of them.
Without even realizing it the concept of environmental psychology is something that I have practicing for most of my adult life. It’s concepts of social design and applying solutions to resource dilemmas are pretty much a life philosophy for me. I’ve always held the viewpoint that it is important for people to be able to sustain themselves to some degree in order to lessen the impact on the overall environment around us. The described concept of the commons dilemma is one that, until this week, I’ve never formally read but have given thought too. The commons dilemma addresses the issue of a what happens when a small, finite resource, is abused, overcrowded, or ill kept, and the eventual dissolution and failure of that resource resulting in the loss of those relying on it (Schneider, Gruman, Coutts, 2012). I think that it is important to be able to contribute to our own environment around us and use it effectively in order to maximize its usage through minimum impact.
As such, when I purchased my house, I sought out a location that wasn’t in a city, I’ve never been a fan of them, and would allow me to pursue my interests. The biggest way I spend my free time in the summer is through blacksmithing and by pursuing this hobby I am able to provide solutions for problems around the house and for my neighbors that might otherwise be expensive, prohibitive, or wasteful to fix through modern methods. The unspoken mindset of the blacksmith is to never throw anything away, that there is a use for everything at some point in time.
Tending a small garden to grow my favorite vegetables, ensuring that the space in all the rooms of my house are being effectively used, performing home improvement projects myself, as well as conducting vehicle maintenance, are all ways I seek to expand my skills, lessen impact and demand on the environment, and even save money.
Current trends in society are also leaning towards this viewpoint of self-sufficiency as well. Due to increased awareness of the importance of bees, and the effects of pesticide and colony collapse disorder, backyard beekeeping is increasing in popularity (Woodward, 2018). Another similar area of interest is in the raising of backyard chickens (Block, 2018). The knowledge of population demand, increase and changes in production methods, and prevalence of modification factors such as use of antibiotics, has lead people to seek out the alternative of natural homegrown eggs, chickens, and honey. While the motives may vary, to have fresh eggs cheaply, or eggs produced in a natural environment, or to have honey that comes from known sources, there is a large amount of social support for these areas of interest.
These new trends, however, are not without their risks. Being ill prepared for the responsibilities of raising these animals and unaware of the risks that may be involved can lead to unfortunate effects. Increase exposure to salmonella has been linked with the increased trend of raising backyard chickens, for example (Pattani, 2017). But there are those, like me, that believe that the benefits outweigh the risks and that it helps to be as well informed and prepared as possible.
References
Block, B. (2018). U.S City Dwellers Flock to Raising Chickens. Worldwatch Institute. Retrieved from http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5900.
Schneider, F.W, Gruman, J. A., & Coutts, L. M. (2012). Applied Psychology (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Pattani, A. (2017). Backyard Chickens Carry a Hidden Risk: Salmonella. New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/04/health/backyard-chickens-carry-a-hidden-risk-salmonella.html.
Woodward, S. (2018). Unique and Emerging Beekeeping Trends. Perfect Bee. Retrieved from https://www.perfectbee.com/blog/unique-and-emerging-beekeeping-trends/