MIDTERM TASK #3

PEOPLE AND EARTH’S ECOSYSTEM

Read each scenario carefully and answer the questions based on your understanding of human ecology and political
ecology concepts.
Scenario 1: Deforestation in a Developing Country
In a developing country, a large multinational corporation has been granted permission by the government to clear vast
tracts of tropical rainforest for logging and agricultural purposes. Local communities rely on the forest for their
livelihoods, including food, medicine, and building materials. Environmental activists argue that this deforestation will
have significant ecological consequences, including loss of biodiversity and disruption of local ecosystems.
1. How might human ecology concepts help us understand the impact of deforestation on local communities?
2. From a political ecology perspective, what factors might contribute to the government's decision to permit
deforestation?
3. Discuss potential power dynamics at play in this scenario, considering the interests of different stakeholders
such as the multinational corporation, local communities, government authorities, and environmental activists.

Scenario 2: Water Pollution in an Urban Area

In a rapidly growing urban area, industrial factories discharge untreated wastewater into nearby rivers and streams,
contaminating the water sources. As a result, residents who rely on these water sources for drinking, bathing, and
cooking are experiencing health problems such as gastrointestinal illnesses and skin infections. Despite community
protests and appeals for government intervention, the pollution continues unabated.
1. How do human ecology principles help us understand the relationship between water pollution and public
health in this scenario?
2. Analyze the political ecology of water pollution in urban areas. What role do political and economic factors
play in perpetuating environmental degradation?
3. Explore potential avenues for community action and advocacy to address the issue of water pollution,
considering the power dynamics between affected residents, industrial corporations, and government
authorities.

Scenario 3: Land Grabbing for Agribusiness

In a rural farming community, large agribusiness corporations purchase vast tracts of land for industrial agriculture,
displacing small-scale farmers and indigenous communities. These corporations implement intensive farming
practices that rely on chemical inputs and monoculture crops, leading to soil degradation and loss of traditional
agricultural knowledge. Local residents protest the loss of their land and livelihoods but face intimidation and violence
from private security forces hired by the corporations.
1. Apply human ecology concepts to analyze the social and ecological impacts of land grabbing for agribusiness
on rural communities.
2. From a political ecology perspective, discuss the power dynamics underlying land acquisition and the interests
served by industrial agriculture.
3. Consider strategies for resistance and resilience among affected communities, including grassroots
movements, advocacy campaigns, and alternative models of sustainable agriculture.