ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the relationships between the concepts of technology, environment, and human rights and their historical development. Using sociological theory regarding technology, the environment, and human rights, it is possible to respond to human rights abuses. Technologies are created and used to accomplish otherwise impossible tasks or to perform tasks more efficiently that is, more cheaply, quickly, and easily, with less drudgery. The concept of technology refers to those aspects of material culture used in the manipulation and exploitation of the biophysical environment for the purpose of meeting the material needs of people in society. The Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm is often regarded as the first international attempt to address pressing environmental problems. Sociological research is actively engaged in understanding the dynamic linkage between technology, environment, populations, level of affluence, and human rights around the globe in an attempt to positively influence social change in the twenty-first century.
