In a world where man often picks fights with nature, Bill Freudenburg found more than a few rounds to referee. Rather than focus on the little guy in the ring, though, Freudenburg was known for going after the organizers—the social systems that that allow the hazards to turn into disasters. His unique vision has spawned a different way of looking at environmentalism and the consequences of developing our natural world.

Freudenburg, who was tireless in his efforts to educate others on the human causes of disaster, died December 28 from complications of cancer. He was 59. He leaves behind a prodigious body of work pertaining to disaster, risk, and society and the environment. His most recent book, “Blowout in the Gulf: The BP Oil Spill Disaster and the Future of Energy in America,” was published in October.

“We have lost an intellectual giant, gifted teacher and mentor, and an incredibly generous colleague,” said Natural Hazards Center Director Kathleen Tierney. “Over his distinguished career, Bill made many significant contributions to environmental sociology, the understanding of environmental policy, and more recently, the sociological study of disasters. He will be sorely missed.”

Freudenburg, the Dehlsen Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, examined the social impacts of technology on the environment, with an emphasis on risk and resource-dependent communities. In the '90s, he helped develop the concept of “double diversion,” the idea that, essentially, the majority of the population willingly bears the risks of an environment plundered for the benefit of a select minority, based on the belief that the devastation is necessary for the good of all. Freudenburg believed that legal and economic reforms were needed to correct such situations.

“What we need…is to set up our laws in such a way that those who benefit from doing dumb things also have to pay for it,” he told the audience at the 2009 Natural Hazards Workshop while speaking about development projects that exacerbated Hurricane Katrina damage. “If they have to pay for it, suddenly the price the market will provide for those houses in dangerous places will start to reflect the true cost.”

Freudenburg’s advocacy for the general public didn’t stop at development issues, though. He was also a longtime proponent of communicating research in ways that could be easily understood. Freudenburg was helpful in educating journalists in sound environment reporting techniques, as well as convincing scientists to speak out despite the professional perils, according the Society of Environmental Journalists.

“I was privileged to hear at least two of Bill’s presentations while covering scientific conferences,” said SEJ President Carolyn Whetzel in a recent tribute. “Those talks demonstrated his ability to communicate complex issues. He will indeed be missed.

Freudenburg never stopped spreading his passion, delivering his last lecture a little more than a month before his death. Shortly before that, he attended Freudenfest, a day-long symposium celebrating his many contributions to sociology and environmental studies.

Those interested can read more on Freudenburg in his obituary. A website has also been created for those who knew him to leave thoughts and memories. A public memorial will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan 22 at the UCSB Faculty club in Santa Barbara. For more information on the memorial, call 805-893-2968.