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Environmental Sociology pp 1–16Cite as

Introduction: New Trends and Interdisciplinary Challenges in Environmental Sociology

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Abstract

This introductory chapter discusses the general development of sociological thinking as regards its conceptualizations of nature and its potential to deliver knowledge in inter- and transdisciplinary research. The chapter starts with an overview on sociology’s attempts at theorizing society as part but also as opposing the natural world. Recent debates in complexity theory and ecology have fostered debates among sociologists to open the discipline to more inter- and transdisciplinary approaches. The fields discussed in the chapter include arguments for sociology to include concepts such as environmental flows, sustainability, new policies towards adaptation to changing ecological realities as well as social experimentation.

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Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Takeesha Moerland-Torpey, Fritz Schmuhl, and Marlies Kloet from Springer Publishers for a very smooth and professional production process of this book. Special thanks to Johanna Hilsberg who has done a great job checking the final manuscript for stylistic consistency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Environmental and Sustainability Communication, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Scharnhorststr. 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany

    Harald Heinrichs

  2. Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany

    Matthias Gross

Authors
  1. Harald Heinrichs
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  2. Matthias Gross
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Correspondence to Harald Heinrichs .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Umweltforschung GmbH (UFZ), Dept. Stadt- und Umweltsoziologie, Helmholtz-Zentrum für, Permoserstr. 15, Leipzig, 04318, Germany

    Matthias Gross

  2. Inst. Umweltkommunikation, Universität Lüneburg, Scharnhorststr. 1, Lüneburg, 21335, Germany

    Harald Heinrichs

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Heinrichs, H., Gross, M. (2010). Introduction: New Trends and Interdisciplinary Challenges in Environmental Sociology. In: Gross, M., Heinrichs, H. (eds) Environmental Sociology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8730-0_1

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