Abstract

This paper supports the theoretical concept of the risk society, developed in the 1980’s, by sociologists Ulrich Beck and Anthony Giddens. The risk society is a framework that sociology uses to study the ways in which society accounts for, reacts to, manages, and learns from risk. Sociology is concerned with this study of the risk society because it offers insight into the actions that society takes, and will take, to control dangers to find the balance between risk and reward. The following pages utilize case studies of three large volume petroleum tank fires in the United States and its Territories to find specific examples of the risk/reward balance in the petroleum industry. The successes and failures involved in each incident teach us about risk, how that risk is being controlled during tank fires, and what could be best done to adapt to those risks in the future. These little lessons on risk accumulate to give us a more educated framework for analyzing risk in other areas of society. The broad conclusion shows that there is a need for a better understanding of risk that would present an opportunity for sociologists (specifically within the field of environmental sociology) to utilize the risk society theory to evaluate climate change and other pressing environmental issues to find solutions that balance risk and reward. The risk society is a tool to aid in the study of climate and ecological changes and the balanced actions that are necessary to maintain the innovative and ever expanding planet we call home.

Advisor

Mariola, Matthew

Department

Environmental Studies

Disciplines

Educational Sociology | Place and Environment

Keywords

Risk Society, Risk, Petroleum Tank Fires, Tank Fires

Publication Date

2024

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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