Peter Dauvergne
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780262034951
- eISBN:
- 9780262336222
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262034951.001.0001
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
This book analyzes the power of environmentalism to advance global sustainability. On some measures progress would seem strong. Wildlife sanctuaries are multiplying. Eco-certification is ...
More
This book analyzes the power of environmentalism to advance global sustainability. On some measures progress would seem strong. Wildlife sanctuaries are multiplying. Eco-certification is strengthening. Energy efficiency is rising. And recycling is increasing by the day. Yet the earth continues to spiral into a worsening sustainability crisis. Why? Is the world community perhaps on the verge of turning the tables on this crisis? Partly, a global political economy of ever more – of more growth, sales, and consumption – is swamping environmental gains. At the same time powerful political and corporate forces are dividing, suppressing, and capturing environmentalism. Environmentalists have much to be proud of, and many caring people have sacrificed their lives to defend nature. As this book reveals, however, the comforts and concerns of those with money, status, and power are increasingly coming to dominate the demands and outcomes of environmentalism. Manifestations of “environmentalism of the rich” – such as sustainable development policies, corporate responsibility initiatives, nongovernmental partnerships with business, and eco-consumerism – are doing some good. But as this book shows environmentalism of the rich is not aggregating into global progress, doing little to alter the violent, inequitable, and unjust sources of wealth, and failing completely to curb the accelerating globalization of unsustainability. Progress will require the environmental movement to confront these failures head on, especially the consequences of rising rates of unequal and unsustainable consumption.Less
This book analyzes the power of environmentalism to advance global sustainability. On some measures progress would seem strong. Wildlife sanctuaries are multiplying. Eco-certification is strengthening. Energy efficiency is rising. And recycling is increasing by the day. Yet the earth continues to spiral into a worsening sustainability crisis. Why? Is the world community perhaps on the verge of turning the tables on this crisis? Partly, a global political economy of ever more – of more growth, sales, and consumption – is swamping environmental gains. At the same time powerful political and corporate forces are dividing, suppressing, and capturing environmentalism. Environmentalists have much to be proud of, and many caring people have sacrificed their lives to defend nature. As this book reveals, however, the comforts and concerns of those with money, status, and power are increasingly coming to dominate the demands and outcomes of environmentalism. Manifestations of “environmentalism of the rich” – such as sustainable development policies, corporate responsibility initiatives, nongovernmental partnerships with business, and eco-consumerism – are doing some good. But as this book shows environmentalism of the rich is not aggregating into global progress, doing little to alter the violent, inequitable, and unjust sources of wealth, and failing completely to curb the accelerating globalization of unsustainability. Progress will require the environmental movement to confront these failures head on, especially the consequences of rising rates of unequal and unsustainable consumption.
Peter Dauvergne
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780262034951
- eISBN:
- 9780262336222
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262034951.003.0010
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Despite the dangers and risks, as this chapter demonstrates some international NGOs are continuing to challenge oil, mining, and timber companies with confrontational, direct-action campaigns. ...
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Despite the dangers and risks, as this chapter demonstrates some international NGOs are continuing to challenge oil, mining, and timber companies with confrontational, direct-action campaigns. Chapter 10 opens with the story of the Greenpeace campaign against oil drilling in the Arctic, once again demonstrating the courage and conviction of “eco-warriors,” to use the phrase of Greenpeace founder Bob Hunter. Yet, as this chapter also reveals, Greenpeace is increasingly turning to social media activism, employing humorous videos to call on consumers to boycott well-known brands, such as Kit Kat, Barbie, and Head & Shoulders. In response, some brand manufacturers and retailers, including Nestlé, Mattel, and Procter & Gamble, have discontinued contracts with a few suppliers (such as ones caught clearing tropical forests to produce cardboard or grow oil palm). What Greenpeace is telling consumers is a “victory,” however – such as getting Mattel to package Barbie in a different box – is revealing of how limited eco-consumerism is as a force of global environmental reform.Less
Despite the dangers and risks, as this chapter demonstrates some international NGOs are continuing to challenge oil, mining, and timber companies with confrontational, direct-action campaigns. Chapter 10 opens with the story of the Greenpeace campaign against oil drilling in the Arctic, once again demonstrating the courage and conviction of “eco-warriors,” to use the phrase of Greenpeace founder Bob Hunter. Yet, as this chapter also reveals, Greenpeace is increasingly turning to social media activism, employing humorous videos to call on consumers to boycott well-known brands, such as Kit Kat, Barbie, and Head & Shoulders. In response, some brand manufacturers and retailers, including Nestlé, Mattel, and Procter & Gamble, have discontinued contracts with a few suppliers (such as ones caught clearing tropical forests to produce cardboard or grow oil palm). What Greenpeace is telling consumers is a “victory,” however – such as getting Mattel to package Barbie in a different box – is revealing of how limited eco-consumerism is as a force of global environmental reform.
