Environmental activism is becoming increasingly important. In times of climate change, environmental pollution and resource depletion, an increasing number of people is getting more concerned about the health of nature and our planet.
More and more people are starting to realize that humanity has to change and take action to stop climate change, so that future generations can still survive on earth – our home.
Many are trying to live more sustainably individually. However, there are plenty of additional things you can do to fight climate change. And one of these things is environmental actvism.
The number of environmental activists is constantly growing. But what is environmental activism? And why is it even important?
This article seeks to address the importance, types, and various examples of environmental activism. Ultimately, it will also teach you how to become an environmental activist. (Hint: It’s not as hard as you think!)
So… Let’s take a closer look at environmental activism and the role it plays in society.
What is Environmental Activism?
Environmental activism involves the collaboration of different groups of individuals and organizations with the purpose of addressing environmental issues, such as climate change, resource depletion, pollution, toxic waste, and deforestation.
Environmental activists identify issues that threaten the planet’s viability (from community to global concerns) and then develop strategies to promote awareness or produce solutions that directly address the problem. By asking difficult questions and by represnting the environment, they aim to encourage a more positive way how humans interact with the environment.
The goal of environmental activism is to create a harmonious living environment that can be handed down from generation to generation without degrading in life quality due to poor human stewardship – thus, essentially a sustainable world.
For example, after Greta Thunberg decided to strike in front of the Swedish parliament on Fridays, millions of students followed suit and formed the FridaysForFuture movement. Today, this environmental activism group has millions of members who enthusiastically (but peacefully) fight against climate change, by protesting on the streets, but also by collaborating with other organizations to lobby for a save future.
Definition of environmental activism
“Environmental activism” (also referred to as “eco activism”, “green activism”, or “sustainability activism”) is defined as the actions of individuals or groups that aim to protect or support the environment.
Importance of Environmental Activism
Now that you know what environmental activism is, you may be wondering why it seems to be so important.
Well… There are different reasons why environmental activism is crucial today.
Let’s take a closer look at each of them:
1. Creation of awareness about sustainability
Environmental activism is generating an increase in environmental awareness among societies. By showing its presence in the media, it can bring important attention to serious issues such as climate change, mobilizing others to use their voices — and their votes — to influence political leaders.
This kind of activism can also have an impact at the corporate level. Increased awareness of environmental concerns among consumers and employees may cause companies to develop more sustainable practices, adopt green strategies, invest in green innovations, and proactively engage in corporate social responsibility.
Activists can also help shape environmental legislation. The Sierra Club, for instance, has organized volunteer-led tours and met with lawmakers to discuss its platform and inspire others to join the movement and spread awareness about sustainability.
2. Education of the public
Environmental activism cannot only create more awareness about sustainability, but it can also educate the masses about the devastating effects of environmental degradation. This may help them in making better judgements about political or corporate claims and spot cases of greenwashing. In fact, sustainability education is becoming increasingly important.
For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advocates for employees to be educated on the importance of conserving the environment.
3. Putting pressure on governments
Environmental activism has played a crucial role in influencing the legislature to enact laws that aim to protect the environment. Activists may be within the government and impose the change or even be involved in a campaign whose main aim is intimidating the legislature to enact a certain law.
Greenpeace, one of the most famous environmental organizations, for instance, is constantly lobbying for higher environmental standards and the reduction of carbon emissions. That way, it is putting pressure on governments to implement stricter environmental laws and guidelines.
4. Influencing development plans
Activism for the environment may also influence infrastructure development plans. In the case of infrastructure projects which could be harmful to nature, activists may protest and impede the construction works to force change, or stop projects completely.
For example, when the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe protested the Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016 it became a focal point for Indigenous rights around the globe. The 1931 km pipeline from Alberta, Canada to Texas would transport 470,000 barrels of crude oil a day but protestors said it would contaminate drinking water from the Missouri River and damage sacred burial sites. The pipeline was completed in 2017 but use was suspended by a US judge in 2020 who sided with protestors and ordered a review.
5. Pushing companies towards sustainable business
Through environmental activism, companies are pushed to follow environmental laws & guidelines. By deploying innovative and modern technologies and lean manufacturing, companies can drastically reduce emissions and waste, oftentimes without loosing a single dollar or even saving on expenses in the long-term. In fact, going green by applying the principle of the circular economy can pay off for companies in many cases. Implementing sustainable business models as well as taking into consideration the needs of all parties involved, as described in the stakeholder theory, can indeed massively boost business performance.
Furthermore, in order to force companies to reduce their impact on nature, environmental activists often demand more transparent reporting (ESG) and certification as well as sharper controls in production facilities. This is mainly aimed at fighting against greenwashing, which refers to the act of portraying an organization (or its products) as environmentally friendly only for the sake of marketing.
Throughout the 1990s, Nike was targeted by activists for allowing its suppliers to abuse and exploit workers. At first, Nike said it couldn’t be responsible for conditions in factories it didn’t own. Protests and media reports proliferated. Throughout the years, more and more media published stories on child labor, slave wages, and forced overtime in Nike factories. It was slow in coming, but Nike eventually set up an extensive and expensive system for monitoring and remedying factory conditions in its supply chain – and the rest of the footwear and apparel industry followed. Today, Nike is a corporate-sustainability leader, showing that environmental activism can be a major driver of positive change.
5. Protection of communities
Next to educating the public about sustainability and pushing companies to become more sustainable, environmental activism can also help in protecting local communities and indigenous peoples’ rights.
Even though indigenous peoples are contributing the least to global carbon emssions, they are among the first to face the direct consequences of climate change. This is due to their dependence upon, and close relationship, with the environment and its resources. Climate change exacerbates the difficulties already faced by indigenous communities including political and economic marginalization, loss of land and resources, human rights violations, discrimination and unemployment.
Having the shared goal of preserving and protecting nature, environmental activists and indingenous communities are fighting side-on-side against the degradation of ecosystems, trying to make their voices heared and change the world to the better.
6. Provoking public debates
Another reason why environmental activism is important is because it provokes public debates about how humanity should deal with issues like climate change and pollution. It makes people think about these issues and provides them the opportunity to form their own (political) opionion about how to tackle these issues.
For example, the rise of green parties in the Western political world did not come out of thin air. It was the work of environmental actvists who provoked public debates about how we should protect our environment that led to the increased popularity of green politics.
7. Support of conservation programs
Some environmental activists are strongly contributing to the creation of innovative conservation programs such as that of national parks and advocating for eco-tourism, which are great ways of protecting the environment, while enjoying it at the same time. In fact, rewilding nature in the form of national parks is one of the few nature-based solutions to tackle climate change.
8. Advocating for sustainability campaigns
Last but not least, environmental activists are advocates for sustainability campaigns. They advocate for the re-use and recycling of non-biodegradable products and support water saving initiatives, and many other projects that help in saving our planet.
Ultimately, with their deep expertise on environmental sustainability, they act as consultants and role models, not only for the public, but also for politicians and business leaders.
Check out the 10 most famous environmental activists in the world to see what they are doing to make their voice heard.
Types of Environmental Activism
Environmental activism can be executed in different ways. The type of activism usually depends on the greater goal and area of focus.
1. Climate Activism
Climate activism is what happens when people from all over the world come together to put pressure on national and business leaders to take action to safeguard a liveable future.
Solving the climate crisis requires making rapid social and technological change for which “there is no documented historic precedent,” as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) put it. As individuals, it’s hard to imagine a single action that would shift our energy and transportation systems away from fossil fuels or stop deforestation.
But the point of activism is that we don’t need to do it alone. Instead, we can come together as collectives and communities to put pressure on policy makers or model alternative ways of doing things.
By organizing different kinds of protest campaigns, Extinction Rebellion, for example, is a movement engaged in climate activism.
2. Conservation Activism
Conservation activism is a type of environmental activism whose main goal is the protection of natural resources, plants, and animals. The movement encourages the use of natural resources in a sustainable manner, conservation of biodiversity, and wilderness preservation.
For instance, a group of activists has strongly protested the construction of the Reventazon Dam in Costa Rica. Several conditions were not met endangering the survival of Jaguars in the region. Other animals affected include more than 250 different species of birds and more than 80 species of reptiles, mammals, and amphibians.
3. Environmental Defense & Local Activism
Environmental defense is mainly concerned with issues such as global warming, ecosystem restoration, oceans, and human health. Advocates of environmental defense are using science, economics and laws to find pragmatic environmental solutions that work.
On the other hand, local environmetal activism involves organizing the locals to oppose or propose policies that aim to protect their local environment. Thus, local activism is mostly limited to a certain region.
In North Carolina, local activism is common. One case is the organization formed by the community living near the Blue Ridge Mountains. Their main aim is to protect the forest cover found in the region. Another example can be seen in the protests against nuclear power plants or final nuclear dispoal sites.
4. Green Parties
Green parties developed out of a wave of radical social activism, especially the student protests of the 1960s and the antinuclear movement of the 1970s and 80s. Their entrance into mainstream politics and even into government coalitions, especially in Europe, gave them significant influence but revealed divisions over nonviolence, energy policy, and economics.
Green parties, being another form of environmental activism, are now seeing their support grow in many countries as climate becomes a top issue among voters.
5. Water Protection Activism
Water protectors are environmental activists, organizers, and cultural workers focused on the defense of the world’s water and water systems. The water protector name, analysis and style of environmental activism arose from Indigenous communities in North America during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.
Furthermore, water protection activism also includes groups and organizations that aim to protect our oceans and marine wildlife, such as Sea Sherperd.
6. Individual & Political Activism
As an environmental activist, you don’t necessarily have to come together with others to make your voice heard. Whereas joining forces is usually more powerful, you can still have an impact individually. You can live by example and teach others how to live more sustainable. You can also share your knowledge in social media or start a blog about sustainability, to increase your indivdual impact.
Additionally, you can be an ambassador for the environment during political discussions with friends and family, or you could join environmental associations, such as the Boston ESO, at your school, university or work.
7. Environmental Grassroots Activism
Environmental grassroots activism is a type of activism that aims to construct alternative, but also controverial, visions and solutions for societies from below. Grassroots activists are orinary people, living ordinary lives. They are using the limited resources and skills they have to develop their own strategies and to take direct action, create alternative visions, or develop different institutions.
In the 1980s, lifelong environmental activist and Goldman Prize winner Lois Gibbs (United States, 1990) organized her community to speak out against the chemical waste buried in her neighborhood in Niagara Falls, New York. She formed the Love Canal Homeowners Association and pushed local, state, and federal governments repeatedly until her community was evacuated and cleanup began. Thanks to her efforts, the EPA created the Superfund Program, which works to identify and clean the nation’s most toxic waste sites.
8. Eco-terrorism
Eco-terrorism, also referred to as environmental extremism, is an act of violence which is committed against people or property, in support of environmental causes. It usually involves sabotage intended to hinder activities that are considered damaging to the environment.
Eco-terrorists use a wide variety of methods to reach their goals. From tree-spiking, over arson and monkeywrenching, to boming, there’s no common tactic that is used.
One of the most famous eco-terrorsist groups is the Earth Liberation Front (ELF). The ELF has been attributed with arsons of sites such as housing developments, SUV dealerships, and chain stores.
9. Green investors
Money is powerful! And sometimes it is wiser to create an impact with money than through protests and other traditional forms of activism.
Green investing, also known as impact investing or SRI/ESG investing, refers to investing in activities aligned with environmentally friendly business practices and the conservation of natural resources. Green investors can support green initiatives by buying green mutual funds, green index funds, green exchange-traded funds (ETFs), green bonds, or by holding stock in environmentally friendly companies.
For example, people can invest their money in ESG ETFs (exchange traded funds), which are funds that only include stocks of companies that only engage in sustainable business activities and transparently report about their impact on the environment.
Environmental Activism Starts with Education
In the end, environmental activism stands or falls with education!
If you want to change your behaviour, or the behaviour of others’, you must be prepared to argue and discuss all related topics of concern. In turn, this requires deep knowledge about sustainability, climate change, economics, politics, and many more scientific fields.
Ultimately, this is exactly what we do at EcoCation!
In order to achieve a sustainable future for all of us, it is our mission to educate about sustainability and communicate about climate change – the biggest threat of all.
Here are some of the best tips to become an activist!
We are bringing together experts with different backgrounds to provide you with the most relevant, accurate, and data-based knowledge about any sustainability-related topic. Feel free to check out our articles!
