Final answer:
Social ecologists believe the root cause of environmental problems is anthropocentrism, which results from a flawed system that prioritizes human needs and contributes to a cycle of dominance and inequality.
Step-by-step explanation:
For social ecologists, the root cause of most of our environmental problems is anthropocentrism (d.). This view suggests that environmental issues are a consequence of a tendency to prioritize human needs over the health and rights of the natural world. Social ecologists argue that environmental calamities are deeply intertwined with larger social issues stemming from a societal system that fosters inequalities such as racism, sexism, and classism.
They propose that these environmental challenges cannot be resolved without addressing the underlying systemic social issues. In particular, a prominent advocate of this perspective was Murray Bookchin, who believed in changing society by empowering smaller, community-focused groups that are inherently more connected to and concerned about their local environments.
It is important to note that while overpopulation, economic inequality, and inadequate legislation contribute to environmental challenges, social ecologists specifically point to flawed political and economic systems that commodify nature and perpetuate dominance as the fundamental problems.