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What Is Environmentalism?

What does it mean to be an Environmentalist?

I've considered myself to be an Environmentalist for a long time, without really stopping
to think about what that word meant. Environmentalism has been in the news lately--
everything seems to be connected to Global Warming somehow. I've also listened to a
couple of books that have expanded my views on the environment (Harvest for Hope by
Jane Goodall and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver, et al.). Alyssa and I
talk about it and what we can do about it, but also what it means to be an
environmentalist--or as Alyssa would say, the social construct of the concept of
environmentalism. (She is writing her own entry about it)

After much thought and reflection on my own experience, I realized that there were
different types of environmentalists. I grouped them into four categories based on their
attitude toward nature. All four are detailed below.

Environmentalist Type 1 - Nature is Beautiful

This type of environmentalist loves the beauty of nature and dreams of spending time in
it. They spend weekends doing nature-based hobbies, such as hiking, mountain biking,
fishing, hunting--anything that takes them into the forest, desert, or mountains. They
spend family vacations going to national parks and thrill at the sight of large wildlife such
as bears, deer, or bison. They might even consider taking an African Safari.

The ideal dwelling place for this type is a cabin in the woods, or a beach house, or along-
side a river. My aunt and uncle lived alongside the Snake River and I remember an early
morning spent alone on their back porch watching and listening to the pelicans and other
waterfowl, while the river slowly flowed by. Complete serenity and peace. These types of
environmentalists want access these sorts of benefits of being in nature.

Those who can't afford to live in a place like this often try to recreate it by building ponds
or waterfalls in their backyards. They decorate their living rooms with large pictures of
beautiful posters of Sierra Club-style majestic vistas or beautiful wildlife (these pictures
have been accurately described by some as "Eco-porn.") They also tend to listen to New
Age music, and their collection has recordings of nature (Sounds of the Amazon
Rainforest or Waterfall in Hawaii). They are the most likely to own an SUV, possibly a
Land Rover, whose most rugged trip might be a drive to Lake Tahoe, towing a boat.

These environmentalists also secretly wish they had a pet tiger, or pet panda. That would
be so cool!

Environmentalist Type 2 - Nature is Precious


This type of environmentalist goes to zoos, museums, and watches nature documentaries.
They read magazine and sometimes books about Global Warming, Rainforest
Destruction, and Endangered Species. They understand that human action has brought
many animals to the brink of extinctions, and that if we don't do something about it we
could loose these beautiful animals (and it's always the beautiful ones that get most the
concern--the "Charismatic Megafauna" as some have put it, such as pandas, dolphins, and
the spotted owl--nothing ugly like starfish, unless of course they are keystone species that
affect sea otter populations, which they do).

This type is likely to be well educated about nature. They have a strong interest in what's
going on and probably understand that nature works best when it's left alone (although it
might need our help to get back on track).

These environmentalists understand that action must be taken and so they are likely to
donate to (or volunteer for) causes such as Save the Whales, Greenpeace, and The World
Wildlife Fund.

Environmentalist Type 3 - Nature is Limited

These environmentalists are big into reduce, reuse, and recycle. They understand that
humans consume more than their fair share of resources. This type is more likely to make
an effort at taking shorter showers, turning off unnecessary lights, and composting. They
purchase compact fluorescent bulbs, hybrid vehicles, and solar panels. Recently these
types of environmentalists have started eating mainly locally produced foods, so that
energy isn't wasted in the transport of their food across great distances. They take public
transportation whenever possible, and plan their trips in a way that uses a minimal
amount of gas.

During the '70s, the "Zero Population Growth" movement caught interest because it's
logic was based on this type of Environmentalism.

Global Warming and Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth have increased this type of
environmentalist lately, starting what's becoming known as the "Green Movement." This
has produced a greater interest in hybrid cars, alternative energy sources, and
conservation in general.

Environmentalist Type 4 - Nature is Us

These environmentalists understand that to truly help nature, we must remove ourselves
from the waste-producing machine of modern society. They concern themselves with the
true work of survival--providing food and shelter by your own hands. They grow their
own food, and likely raise small livestock for food (eggs, milk, and meat). They simplify
their lives by giving most everything away and try to live on as little as possible. They
strive to become self-sufficient and self-reliant.
This type shuns consumerism, knowing that it only produces more waste. They know that
corporations in pursuit of the dollar will attempt to increase profits by spraying
pesticides, maximizing land use, and spending millions of dollars convincing people that
they need to buy the junk they're making. Because of this, they tend to distrust capitalism
in general, thinking instead that if everyone where to only use what they truly needed (in
the survival sense) the world would be a much happier, much fairer place.

Probably one of the earliest examples of this kind of attitude was the Amish movement.
The removal of oneself from the complications that modern life can bring.

A few decades ago there was a British comedy titled The Good Life (American Title:
Good Neighbors) in which the main characters decide to become self-sufficient by tilling
up their yard, buying a couple of pigs, and working the land. (Great series by the way;
very entertaining; highly recommended.) This is an example of this type of
environmentalist, although they probably wouldn't refer to themselves as such.

In the '60s, of course, this type of environmentalism was seen in the Hippie communes.
Everyone working together, growing their own food (among other things) and working at
the basic needs for survival. I've always wondered if any of these communes were still
around.

Environmentalism as Religion.

Each of these types can be followed to different extremes. Many have turned
environmentalism into a religion of sorts. The comparison seems obvious. One thing
common to each type is a sense of wonder and awe for Nature and Mother Earth--a sense
that we are connected to other living and non-living things on this Earth, each dependent
on the other. People love Nature in a way that they love God. Indeed some have
combined the two, using religion to guide environmentally-friendly choices (such as
interpreting humans to be God-appointed stewards of the planet, or turning the Word of
Wisdom and food storage into a recommendation for eating locally).

As in religion, these types each have their extremes. Those who are especially passionate
are involved in what is sometimes called "Eco-terrorism"--the sabotage of logging
companies or other businesses that have practices they might consider dangerous to the
environment. A recent news article reports the vandalism of a Hummer (famously
environmentally un-friendly) through smashed windows and the words "For the Environ"
scrawled on the paint. I suppose every religion has its Holy Wars.

Environmentalism and Me

I've moved through these different stages at different times in my life (some only
mentally--I've never lived on a commune). I'm guessing that most people have some of
one type and some of another. For me, it was almost like steps, progressing from one
stage to another, but to others it might be different. They might be thrown into one stage,
or just skip one. Who knows, maybe I'm the only one who sees these groups based on my
own experience, so who am I to say which one is the right attitude to have? The first
seems shallow and a little hypocritical, the second seems to be only lip-service, the third
might be too little, too late, and the forth appears to be a little extreme. I'm not sure about
the future of the planet, or whether my contribution will make it better or worse for my
children, but it feels right to care, and doing something makes me feel better about
myself--less guilty anyway.

I wonder if that's at the heart of it all: guilt. I wonder if all environmentalists are secretly
guilty for all that they, and their ancestors, have taken from the Earth. I suppose that the
real question should be whether we can ever work out all the guilt built up for us during
the entire existence of our species. It probably won't happen in a generation, but I hope
that it can eventually.

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