Environmental movement

The environmental movement, also known as the ecology movement, is a broad and diverse social movement concerned with protecting the natural world and promoting sustainable ways of living. It recognises that humans are part of ecosystems rather than external to them, and therefore emphasises ecological balance, public health and human rights. The movement is international in scope and involves individuals, communities, scientists, policymakers, religious figures and a wide range of environmental organisations. Owing to its varied membership and the differing environmental challenges faced across the world, the movement is not always unified in its priorities or strategies, yet it broadly aims to prevent environmental degradation and ensure the long-term viability of natural systems.

Scope and Focus

The movement encompasses a wide range of sub-communities with differing philosophies and approaches. Historically, a major tension existed between the conservation movement, which focused on protecting natural resources through planned management, and broader forms of environmental protection that address pollution, industrial impacts and ecological degradation. In recent decades, environmental justice, indigenous rights and global concerns such as climate change have shaped new environmentalist identities and expanded the movement’s focus.
Environmental issues of concern include biodiversity preservation, land and water management, conservation of flora and fauna, pollution control and ecological restoration. Environmental conservation represents a major focus area, involving practices such as reforestation, recycling and targeted pollution reduction. Urban environmental health is another strand, historically rooted in the Progressive Era, concerned with clean water, sanitation, population stability, nutrition and preventive healthcare. The movement also addresses emerging issues such as genetically modified crops, synthetic biology and new biotechnologies that may have ecological implications.
Environmental justice has become increasingly prominent, highlighting inequities faced by marginalised communities exposed to hazardous waste, pollution or destructive land use from which they do not benefit. This perspective integrates environmental protection with social and economic equality.

Technological and Contemporary Issues

Since the late twentieth century, improvements in environmental science and technology have broadened the movement’s focus. Concerns such as ozone depletion, global warming, acid rain, mutation breeding and genetically modified organisms have gained prominence. Genetically modified plants and animals are viewed differently within the movement: some argue that such technologies pose inherent ecological risks, while others point to potential benefits including reduced pesticide use, improved water efficiency in crops and faster-growing livestock requiring less feed. Synthetic biology brings additional concerns because it involves novel genetic elements not found in nature, raising questions about containment and environmental safety.
The movement also contains a significant antinuclear strand. Initially focused on nuclear disarmament, it later opposed nuclear power on grounds of safety, waste disposal and accident risk. Mass protests, particularly after the 1979 Three Mile Island accident, drew hundreds of thousands of participants. The pro-nuclear counter-movement argues that climate change creates a far greater global threat and that nuclear power should be used as a low-carbon energy source.

Forms of Environmental Activism

Environmental activism takes many forms, ranging from public demonstrations to legal advocacy, educational campaigns and direct action. Tree sitting is an iconic form of direct intervention aimed at preventing deforestation, with notable examples including Julia Butterfly Hill’s 738-day occupation of a Californian redwood. The Yellow Finch tree sit, a 932-day blockade against the Mountain Valley Pipeline in the United States, reflects the increased use of long-term physical protest.
Sit-ins, historically associated with civil rights activism, have also been adopted by environmental movements, such as those participating in protests against pipeline construction and fossil fuel extraction. Campaigns addressing urban pollution, industrial development or resource exploitation demonstrate the varied strategies used to influence policy, corporate behaviour and public awareness.

Historical Background

The environmental movement originated in response to severe pollution during the Industrial Revolution. Rapid industrialisation, expansion of coal mining and the growth of large manufacturing centres produced unprecedented levels of smoke pollution in urban environments. By the early twentieth century, chemical effluents and untreated sewage further degraded air and water quality, prompting some of the first modern environmental laws aimed at regulating emissions and improving public health.
Throughout the twentieth century, increased understanding of ecological systems and the publication of influential works, such as those by Rachel Carson, helped drive public engagement. Growing awareness of global environmental threats led to international agreements, new regulatory frameworks and the establishment of environmental protection agencies in many countries.

Criticisms

The environmental movement has faced criticism from several directions. Some conservative critics argue that environmental regulations, such as the Endangered Species Act or the Clean Air Act in the United States, impede economic growth, infringe property rights or impose excessive burdens on businesses. Climate change sceptics contend that environmental activism diverts attention from what they view as more immediate socioeconomic issues.
Critics within and outside the movement have accused certain activists of performative behaviour, ecocolonialism or perpetuating “white saviour” narratives, particularly in conservation efforts involving developing nations. Local opposition to environmental campaigns or development restrictions sometimes leads to NIMBY (“not in my backyard”) responses, where residents oppose environmentally oriented projects that impact local land use.

National and Regional Contexts

Environmental movements vary widely across countries depending on governance, public awareness, economic conditions and environmental challenges.

• Bangladesh: Environmental advocates have opposed large-scale infrastructure projects such as the Tipaimukh Dam, citing potential environmental disasters for millions living in the Meghna River basin. Bangladesh faces severe air pollution from poorly maintained vehicles and industrial emissions, harming ecological and human health.
• China: China’s environmental movement has expanded significantly with the rise of non-governmental organisations focused on policy reform and public awareness. Grassroots activism, though often localised, has increased through community-led protests addressing pollution, deforestation and biodiversity loss. Environmental protests in China have grown in number and scale since the mid-1990s. The North China Plain faces severe groundwater depletion, soil degradation and rising desertification, compounded by a concentration of polluting industries.

Global Dynamics

The environmental movement remains a major international force addressing issues from local pollution to global climate change. It includes initiatives aimed at preserving natural landscapes, protecting endangered species, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advocating for equitable access to natural resources. As environmental challenges escalate in the twenty-first century, the movement continues to evolve, integrating scientific research, community mobilisation and international cooperation to advance sustainable development and ecological resilience.