1. The relationship between nature and society is similarly related to poverty and society. Social experiences determine environmental quality in the U.S. For example, Pellow and Bruelle’s study suggests that the poorer areas of the U.S. are where the most toxic waste is dumped. Since these areas of poverty and communities of color are unable to escape the harsh environmental hazards, the environmental justice movement was created, also referred to as E.J.s. According to the article Poisoning the Planet, these E.J.s help raise awareness about the toxic waste dumps that are being forced upon lower income communities in effect causing higher rates of birth defects and cancer. As stated before, the environmental inequalities that are being implemented in poorer areas of the U.S. are closely related to the issue of poverty. The environmental racism is still being put forth today, although many are hoping for adamant change.

2. A major social change that is occurring in the U.S. today is immigration. The conventional wisdom about immigration is that predominantly immigrant neighborhoods are associated with higher rates of violence and also that the majority of Mexican immigrants come to this country by illegally crossing the border. According to the article Rethinking Crime and Immigration, these common assumptions are completely inaccurate. Sampson’s study on immigration suggests that neighborhoods with higher immigrant population are drastically less violent that neighborhoods that consist of predominantly U.S. citizens. In class, the conventional wisdom that most Mexican immigrants come to the U.S. by crossing the border was also deemed false and that the majority of Mexican immigrants get a green card and overstay their allowed time. This social change is greatly controversial in America today and seems to be a popular topic among presidential candidates.