What is Eco-Activism?
For those no longer waiting for governments to take action, eco-activism has developed into a movement embraced by those who identify with the environment and want to save it for future generations.
Are you an Eco-Activist?
Eco-activism is a form of engagement in social and political campaigns. This activism aims to prevent any damage and decline in the environment. This movement is inherently crucial as it considers the state of our planet for now and for future generations. The most important aspect of this movement is that this concept does not only protect the natural world but extends to human rights. Eco-activism is aware that humans are part of the natural world, and the effects of environmental degradation inherently can have devastating effects on the fundamental human rights of communities. The UN is working towards a formal environmental rights initiative recognizing a healthy environment as a fundamental human right. There has been yet to be a consensus on this initiative.
In a study noted in Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology, identity becomes a significant predictor of eco-activist behaviors. Two aspects of this identity are that the individual experiences a connection to nature or perceives themselves as part of nature. The second aspect is that the individual perceives the self as part of a politicized environmental identity. This secondary aspect solidifies the association of the identity on behalf of the environment and connects with other environmental activists.
You may recognize parts of yourself with these building blocks of the eco-activism identity. The study defined this identity as more likely to exhibit behavioral indicators that supported environmental activism. These indicators were seen as "taking pro-environmental buttons (Study 1), donating to an environmental organization (Study 2), or writing pro-environmental letters to politicians (Study 3)." Those factors don't seem entirely radical in nature. So why are these factors important?
One can see that activism is not necessarily defined as radical actions but rather as willing to advocate for a cause one feels a part of rather than completely ignoring it. This definition opens the understanding of activism as inclusive for the everyday person. As long as you can identify your connection to nature and feel part of its effects, you can be defined as an eco-activist, as small actions can also have a significant impact.
Current Day Eco-Activism
There are wide ranges of eco-activism, from extreme actions to simple choices that can be integrated into an individual's everyday life.
The most daring voices of eco-activism are those who have first-hand experience with the detriments of climate change, pollution, or environmental degradation within their own lives.
In work done by WEP (Women Environment Program), they connected with women in Nigeria who work barehanded with e-waste. These women take on the risk of getting cancer on a daily basis. This foundation works with women to build awareness of environmental exposures and create opportunities for them to have a voice in ecological policymaking processes.
In a story that was highlighted by UNICEF, young activists witness their communities affected by climate change and take it upon themselves to make a change. María, at 19, experienced the impacts of climate change affecting the water crisis in Mexico. She became a full-time climate activist, focusing on the fact that water scarcity is not an isolated event but part of the larger picture of the effects of climate change.
As one can see, making space for supporting eco-activism begins with a willingness to acknowledge what is happening around your community. This form of activism can simply be ignited by taking the step to identify what is affecting not only the earth but its occupants.
Previous Connotations
Did you know climate change has been a concern since the 1950s?
During the climate change movement of the 1970s, a subculture of climate activists took the world by storm. Generational associations were built from the idea that hippies attempted to fight for something that coincided with capitalism. The stereotypes of activists being associated with treehuggers or other negative connotations contrasted with the number of Americans identifying with environmentalists. Yet these associations transformed as climate change and pollution progressed unimaginably as decades passed.
Off the coast of Santa Barbara in January of 1969, millions of gallons of oil were spilled into the ocean. This was accounted to be the first big oil spill in the history of the U.S., though unfortunately, it has been surpassed many times since then.
This event resulted in senator Gaylord Nelson proposing the idea to create an event that would hold a national event that would teach environmentalism. This event eventually turned into Earth Day. Noted by PBS, in 1989, as seen in a Gallup poll, 76% of Americans called themselves "environmentalists."
Unfortunately, this instance shows corporations not being held accountable for their actions. Rather than an actionable cause being taken to hold the company responsible for the oil spill, environmental education redirected accountability to the population.
How can you help? According to Yale, "Strong public demand increases the likelihood that governments will prioritize climate change action." Together, we can work to hold corporations accountable for their actions.
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Key Takeaways:
Eco-activism is a form of engagement in social and political campaigns. This activism aims to prevent any damage and decline in the environment.
Eco-activism is aware that humans are part of the natural world, and the effects of environmental degradation inherently can have devastating effects on the fundamental human rights of communities.
In a study noted in Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology, identity becomes a significant predictor of eco-activist behaviors.
As long as you can identify your connection to nature and feel part of its effects, you can be defined as an eco-activist, as small actions also count.
The stereotypes of activists being associated with treehuggers or other negative connotations contrasted with the number of Americans identifying with environmentalists. Yet these associations transformed as climate change and pollution progressed unimaginably as decades passed.
Making space for supporting eco-activism begins with a willingness to acknowledge what is happening around your community. This form of activism can simply be ignited by taking the step to identify what is affecting not only the earth but its occupants of it.
Unfortunately, this instance shows corporations not being held accountable for their actions. Rather than an actionable cause being taken to hold the company responsible for the oil spill, environmental education redirected accountability to the population.
How can you help? According to Yale, "Strong public demand increases the likelihood that governments will prioritize climate change action." Together, we can work to hold corporations accountable for their actions.
