Geography and Environmental Studies: The Fifth Tradition?

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Abstract
The recent emergence of the “environmental crisis” has accentuated the inadequacies of the disciplinary structure of American universities to deal with environmental problems. Various goal or problem oriented environmental studies programs are emerging. Because these programs are interdisciplinary, they lack methodology and are dependent upon the strengths of a strong disciplinary structure within the university. Although geography is well suited to an interdisciplinary framework in an evironmental studies program, its strength lies in its methodology rather than in the object of study. The common emphasis in geography on what is studied as opposed to how it is studied may induce a rush of geographers to forsake the discipline in order to become environmentalists. Such reactions are counterproductive. To relinquish autonomy and individuality inevitably leads to stagnation and erosion. Environmental studies can best be served by a contributing program in geography as part of broadly based support among all academic disciplines.

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