Identify and explain the reasons why some societies make “disastrous decisions,” according to Diamond.

Please answer one of the following questions:

Please be thorough in your answers, identifying important concepts and defining them, providing examples from the course materials.

1. Identify and explain the reasons why some societies make “disastrous decisions,” according to Diamond. What are the most serious problems identified by Diamond? Identify specific “signs of hope,” as discussed by Diamond. Utilize the course materials we’ve reviewed to date and your own knowledge and experience to argue in support of 3 things people could do on an individual level and 3 things we could (should?) do as a nation to address issues of environmental degradation across the globe. What objections might be raised against arguments for improving the environment? Are these objections sound? Why/why not?
2. In Chapter 15, Diamond discusses Big Business and the Environment. What are some of the reasons why different companies perceive it as being in their interests to adopt different policies, either harming or sparing the environment? What changes does Diamond suggest would be most effective in inducing companies that currently harm the environment to spare it instead? Please use examples from this reading.
3. Summarize the main ideas of Lecture 7. What, if anything, can the state and policy do to address issues of environmental justice? Please be thorough and provide examples from the course material.