Environmentalism

Environmentalism Theory

1. ENVIRONMENTALISM THEORIES OF ENVIRONMENTALISM

2. INTRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTALISM – Enviro -prudence A theory that views environment rather than heredity as the important factor in the development and especially the cultural and intellectual development of an individual or group Advocacy of the preservation, restoration, or improvement of the natural environment; especially : the movement to control pollution Environmentalism refers to a social movement and associated body of thought that expresses concern for the state of the natural environment and seeks to limit the impact of human activities on the environment.

3. OBJECT Awareness Knowledge   Attitudes Skills and Capacity Building Participation

4. SIGNIFICANCE Environmentalism can be described as a social movement or as an ideology focused on the welfare of the environment. Environmentalism seeks to protect and conserve the elements of earth's ecosystem, including water, air, land, animals, and plants, along with entire habitats such as rainforests, deserts and oceans. Concepts dealing with environmental issues include the management of natural resources, overpopulation, commercial logging, urbanization and global warming. The effects of human development ad activity have harmed and altered the earth's natural state. Environmentalism works to correct the damage as well as prevent future destruction.

5. ENVIRONMNETAL ISSUES HAVE SURFACED THROUGHOUT HUMAN HISTORY PUBLIC HEALTH CONSERVATION PRESERVATION OF NATURE SMOKE ABATEMENT MINICIPAL HOUSEKEEPING OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE AIR AND WATER POLLUTION

6. HISTORY Environmental thinking began mainly after the Industrial Revolution. The industrial period gave rise to modern environmental pollution as it is generally understood today. Animal activists began to promote environmental ideas in an attempt to save wildlife. Literature such as A New Look At Life on Earth and Slient Spring, questioning the logic of releasing large amounts of chemicals into the environment were published.

7. By the mid 1970’s environmental ethics joined in with anti-Vietnam War sentiments and other political issues. Mainstream environmentalism began to show force with the signing of the Endangered Species Act in 1973, and the formation of CITES in 1975. The 60’s and 70’s brought about the “hippie” era where “tree huggers” set up peaceful protests against deforestation Since environmentalist action has led to the development of a new subculture .

8. THEORIES Egri and Pinfield (1996), in a review of the literature on organization theory and the environment, identify four paradigms for understanding the relationship between environment, society, and economy. Economic Environmentalism Radical environmentalism Reform environmentalism Ecological modernization, or eco-modernism( Hajer , 1995)

9. ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT The dominant social paradigm is anthropocentric and neoliberal, encompassing assumptions that human welfare is aligned with the maximization of economic growth, personal consumption, and corporate pursuit of profits. 4 key factors Unlimited economic growth is assumed to flow from - 1. Exploiting infinite natural resources 2.Technological innovation , 3.The primacy of markets, and 4.A minimal role for government.

10. RADICAL ENVIRONMENTALISM Biocentric , emphasizing the intrinsic value of nature and the dependence of human economic and social life within larger dynamic ecosystems. In this paradigm, environmentalism derives less from concerns about resource depletion or harmful toxics, but more from respect for other species and appreciation of the interconnected complexity and fragility of ecosystems.

11. REFORM ENVIRONMENTALISM Reform environmentalism is the reconciliation of environmental and economic goals, expressed in the concept of “sustainable development,” defined by the Brundtland Commission as development that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs .”   Ecological modernization, or eco-modernism( Hajer , 1995)   An optimistic expression of reform environmentalism that places considerable faith in technology, entrepreneurship, and markets in the efficient use of environmental resources and the pursuit of sustainable development.