With the dramatic rise in anthropogenic climate changes, the face of environmentalism is changing.
In the 150 years since the birth of environmentalism, the face of ecology and the environmental movement has dominantly been white, middle or upperclass, and male. With wilderness advocates Aldo Leopold, Gifford Pinchot and John Muir, environmentalism has its roots in the “wilderness idea” of leaving the city and finding solitude in nature. This thought pattern relies on the premise of nature serving as a steward to the needs of people and the industrial commodification of natural resources.
While mainstream and historic environmentalism played a key part in establishing U.S. conservancy programs like National Parks and National Monuments and gave rise to the modern environmental movement, mainstream environmentalism gives a shallow view of the overarching system that environmentalism falls into. This system intersects between social constructions, cultural norms, economic valuation of natural resources and political will to protect these resources. Within the stream of popular environmentalism it is hard to separate the water we see from the water we swim in.
Within a global context, mainstream environmentalism does little to address points of intersectionality between race, class and gender in relation to the environment. Elitist attitudes are rife within environmental activism and environmental movements. Leaders and organizers, whether consciously or not, routinely exclude POC and undermine Indigenous and Native perspectives on traditional knowledge and nonWestern ecological valuation.
Mainstream environmentalism views and portrays serious issues like drought, pollution, food-scarcity, disease, water and seed privatization, sea-level rise, colonization and fossil fuel extraction as existing separately from our societies, like these issues are solely available for those who choose to pursue “environmental work”. Ecology is in our biology. We cannot exist without or outside of our environment, our earth, our one planet. Caring for and caring about the environment isn’t about the wilderness idea, not anymore. Environmentalism should be multifaceted, intersecting and put the least advantaged at the forefront of the movement.
Within the stream of popular environmentalism it is hard to separate the water we see from the water we swim in.
To reach a 2-degree climate, environmentalists, policy-makers and activists must shift the paradigms of thinking away from capitalist, consumerist patriarchy. As activists, we cannot dismantle these systems of oppression without first understanding their roots. Mainstream environmentalism, and thus, mainstream environmentalists, allow a self-imposed exemption to addressing issues that are a cause of and stem from climate change. This limits the mainstream environmental movement to only causes that have a direct link to nature. Acid rain is discussed and framed as an issue of chemical pollution that affects aquatic ecosystems and forests while ignoring the effects of this pollution on Indigenous communities, communities of color, and rural and low-income areas. This lack of intersection weakens the connection between social and environmental justice, and severs the ties between communities that could collaborate to help mitigate and end this pollution. Ultimately, this lack of willingness to address topics that many mainstream environmentalists find uncomfortable demonstrates that people care more about their identity as environmentalists than they do about actual environmental issues. As Sarra Tekola, a scientist, climate activist and fossil fuel divestment advocate has said, people are very concerned about polar bears in the Arctic, but have little concern for islanders who are facing sea-level rise right now.
People care more about their identity as environmentalists than they do about the actual environment.
Tekola is one of a handful of activists, radical scientists and intersectional environmentalists who have spoken out against unfettered capitalism, silencing of minorities, unjust climate policies, American consumerism and many other issues. Advocates like Tekola, Dr. Vandana Shiva and Freda Huson shouldn’t be the only ones talking about these issues and educating white folks on the issues that the global north caused. Intersectional environmentalism, however it’s framed, should be the face of the movement. Environmental justice is and should be inextricably linked to social justice and progressive policies. It is critical to educate others, act in solidarity with Native groups and communities of color, and take action for a more just future. This cannot be done without uncomfortable conversations and confrontations.