The environmental movement, also known as the ecology movement, is a group effort aimed at protecting nature from harmful activities to help people live in a way that lasts for many years. This movement sees humans as part of, not separate from, ecosystems. It focuses on topics like the health of the environment, human well-being, and the rights of people.

The environmental movement is global and includes many different types of groups, such as businesses, local community efforts, and organizations that work in various countries. Because it has so many members with different beliefs and ideas, the movement does not always agree on its goals. At its largest, the movement includes people from all walks of life, such as scientists, religious leaders, politicians, and individuals like former Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson and author Rachel Carson from the 20th century.

Since the 1970s, people have learned more about the environment, science, and technology. This has led to new concerns, such as the thinning of the ozone layer, climate change, acid rain, genetic changes in plants and animals, and the use of genetically modified crops and livestock. The climate movement is a part of the larger environmental movement.

Scope

The environmental movement includes many groups that have developed different ways of thinking and acting in various parts of the world. Early in the movement, there was a strong disagreement between those who focused on conservation and those who wanted broader protection of the environment. In recent years, issues like environmental justice, the rights of Indigenous people, and major problems such as climate change have led to the creation of new types of environmental activists.

The environmental movement covers a wide range of topics, including the environment, conservation, biology, and the protection of landscapes, plants, and animals for many different reasons. Examples include:

• Environmental conservation involves protecting natural parts of the environment. This can be done through activities like planting trees, recycling, and controlling pollution, which help keep the natural quality of life.
• The environmental health movement began during the Progressive Era and focuses on improving urban conditions, such as clean water, proper sewage systems, and keeping population growth steady. It also includes topics like nutrition, disease prevention, and aging. Environmental health can show how the environment is doing and warn about possible dangers to humans. This helps the environment by reducing the number of animals that die.
• Environmental justice is a movement that fights against unfair treatment when poor or marginalized communities suffer from harmful activities, such as waste disposal, mining, or land use that does not benefit them.

Some environmentalists believe genetically modified plants and animals are bad because they are not natural. Others argue that genetically modified crops can help save water by using less, reduce the need for pesticides with insect-resistant crops, and make livestock grow faster, which uses resources more efficiently. Synthetic biology, which creates organisms with genetic material not found in nature, is also growing. Some environmentalists worry about the risks if these organisms are released into the wild.

The anti-nuclear movement opposes the use of nuclear technologies. At first, the movement focused on ending nuclear weapons, but later it turned to opposing nuclear power. Many large protests have taken place, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States. After the Three Mile Island accident in 1979, a major protest in New York City with 200,000 people occurred.

Tree sitting is a form of activism where someone sits in a tree to stop its removal or prevent the destruction of an area. Julia Butterfly Hill, who spent 738 days in a California redwood tree, is one of the most famous tree sitters. Another example is the Yellow Finch tree sit, which lasted 932 days to block the Mountain Valley Pipeline from 2018 to 2021. Sit-ins, like the Greensboro sit-ins in 1960 to end racial segregation, can also be used in ecoactivism, such as the Dakota Access Pipeline Protest. Notable environmental protests and campaigns include these examples.

History

The environmental movement in Europe and North America began with programs to reduce smoke pollution during the Industrial Revolution. The rise of large factories and the large increase in coal use led to very high levels of air pollution in industrial areas. After 1900, the large amount of chemicals released by industries added to the growing problem of untreated human waste.

Criticisms

Conservative critics describe the environmental movement as radical and misguided. They criticize the United States Endangered Species Act and the Clean Air Act, which were examined closely in the 21st century. These critics say the laws go against private property rights, corporate profits, and the nation's economic growth. They also question the scientific evidence supporting global warming. Some argue that the environmental movement has taken focus away from other important problems. Western environmental activists have faced criticism for activism that appears more performative than effective, for using environmental efforts to influence or control other countries, and for promoting ideas that suggest people from wealthy nations are the main helpers in conservation efforts, especially when celebrities support such work in developing countries. People who oppose projects planned near their homes are sometimes called "NIMBYS," which stands for "Not In My Back Yard."

By country

Mithun Roy Chowdhury, President of Save Nature & Wildlife (SNW) in Bangladesh, stated that people in Bangladesh should speak out against the Tipaimukh Dam, which is being built by the Government of India. He said the Tipaimukh Dam project could cause serious harm to Bangladesh, similar to the Farakka Barrage, which led to environmental problems affecting 50 million people in the Meghna River basin. He warned that the project might cause desertification in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is the most polluted country in the world because of faulty cars, especially diesel-powered vehicles, and harmful gases from factories. The polluted air harms people's health, the environment, and the country's economy.

In China, environmental efforts are growing stronger. Groups that are not part of the government are working to change policies and bring environmental issues to the attention of leaders. These groups often join with local people, experts, and others to address problems like pollution, loss of forests, and protecting wildlife. While these efforts may not always get much attention from national news, they help raise awareness and support for environmental protection. Environmental protests in China are becoming more common and are focusing on a wider range of issues, often calling for public involvement.

In China, people have recognized that protests and demonstrations can lead to change. Since 2005, the number of disputes in China has increased by 30%, reaching over 50,000 events. These protests cover topics like environmental problems, land loss, income issues, and political matters. The size of these protests has grown from about 10 people or fewer in the mid-1990s to an average of 52 people per event in 2004. China has less strict environmental laws compared to other Asian countries, which has caused many polluting factories to move there, increasing pollution.

In China, problems like water pollution, lack of clean water, polluted soil, poor soil quality, and desertification are being discussed. The groundwater level in the North China Plain is dropping by 1.5 meters (5 feet) each year. This area produces 40% of the country's grain. A group called the Center for Legal Assistance to Pollution Victims helps people deal with legal issues caused by environmental harm by sharing stories of pollution victims in court. As China continues to change its economy and connect with global markets, the connection between environmental problems in China and global environmental issues is becoming clearer.

When comparing China, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, it is clear that the success of environmental activism depends on the political situation in each country, especially how well groups that fight for the environment and protests can work together. History in Japan and South Korea shows that when these groups join forces, it can have a big impact on environmental policies in China in the future.

In India, protecting the environment and public health is a continuous challenge. The first environmental movement in India began in 1964 with the creation of Dasholi Gram Swarajya Sangh, a labor group started by Chandi Prasad Bhatt. This group was supported by Sucheta Kriplani and used land donated by Shyma Devi. This effort led to the Chipko movement in 1974. A major event that influenced the movement was the Bhopal gas disaster on December 3, 1984, when 40 tons of methyl isocyanate gas were released, killing 2,259 people and harming 700,000 others. India has a national campaign against Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola factories because they use groundwater and pollute the land with waste. The movement includes local efforts to stop large fish farms from harming the environment. The most important part of the environmental movement in India is the fight against building dams. Dams are seen as a way for India to develop by connecting to power sources like large dams, coal or oil plants, or nuclear plants. A movement called Jhola Aandolan is working to stop the use of plastic bags and promote cloth, jute, or paper bags to protect the environment. Activists in India say global warming, rising sea levels, and melting glaciers that reduce water flow are the biggest challenges they face in the early 21st century.

In 2008, the Eco Revolution movement was started by Eco Needs Foundation in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. This group brings together children, young people, researchers, spiritual leaders, and political figures to organize awareness events and conferences. Child activists in India, like Licypriya Kangujam, are fighting against air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. From the mid-2010s to the late 2010s, groups in cities and Indigenous communities worked together to protect Aarey, a forest near Mumbai. In states like Goa, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh, farming and Indigenous communities have opposed pollution and land clearing caused by mining.

In the Arab world, including the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), environmental activists focus on issues like industrial pollution and the need for government-provided irrigation. The League of Arab States has a special group that deals with environmental issues. While some countries in the League show interest in environmental matters, some activists question how committed these countries are to protecting the environment. Establishing a government department focused on the environment is one sign of environmental awareness. Saudi Arabia created environmental laws in 1992, and Egypt followed in 1994. Somalia is the only Arab country without environmental laws. In 2010, the Environmental Performance Index ranked Algeria as the top Arab country at 42 out of 163, Morocco at 52, and Syria at 56. This index measures how well a country protects its environment and the health of its people. It gives 50% weight to environmental health and 50% to the health of ecosystems, with scores ranging from 0 to 100. No Arab countries were in the top group, and seven were in the lowest group.

From 1965 to 1990, South Korea and Taiwan experienced rapid industrial growth with few environmental rules. South Korea's Han River and Nakdong River became so polluted from industrial waste that they were nearly dead. Taiwan's approach to growth included spreading factories to rural areas, which led to 20% of farmland being polluted and 30% of rice being contaminated with heavy metals. In both countries, environmental movements began with people from different backgrounds working together. Their demands were linked to job issues, worker health, and problems in farming. These movements were also strong, showing that protests could lead to changes. Polluting factories were forced to improve quickly.