Environmentalist
An environmentalist broadly supports the goals of the environmental movement, "a political and ethical movement that seeks to improve and protect the quality of the natural environment through changes to environmentally harmful human activities".[1] An environmentalist is engaged in or believes in the philosophy of environmentalism.
Most politically inclined environmentalists identify themselves as greens and they have strong views on issues that concern the environment. The Green Parties are generally applied to those in the environmental movement working as volunteers, activists or paid staff. However, the term could also be applied to environmental scientists. Some environmentalists are also green anarchists, arguing that true environmental change cannot occur under the present economic model. Others are eco-socialists, who combine Marxism, socialism and ecology with environmentalism to produce an anti-capitalist ideology that sees capitalism as the cause of environmental problems, social injustice and inequality.
Typically, environmentalists have conservationist views - in general, they advocate for the preservation, restoration, or enhancement of the natural environment.
Environmentalists are sometimes given names in an informal or derogatory context such as the terms "greenie" and "tree-hugger".[2]
Contents |
[edit] Notable environmentalists
Some of the notable environmentalists who have been active in lobbying for environmental protection include:
- Edward Abbey (writer, activist, philosopher)
- Ansel Adams (photographer, writer, activist)
- David Attenborough (broadcaster, naturalist)
- John James Audubon (naturalist)
- David Bellamy (botanist)
- Wendell Berry (farmer, philosopher)
- David Brower (writer, activist)
- Lester Brown
- Rachel Carson (biologist, writer)
- Prince Charles
- Jacques-Yves Cousteau (explorer, ecologist)
- René Dubos (microbiologist)
- Peter Garrett (musician, politician)
- Al Gore (former Vice President of the United States)
- James Hansen (scientist)
- Aldo Leopold (ecologist)
- James Lovelock (scientist)
- Amory Lovins
- George Perkins Marsh (diplomat)
- Bill McKibben (writer, activist)
- Chico Mendes (activist)
- George Monbiot (journalist)
- John Muir (naturalist, activist)
- Ralph Nader (activist)
- Gaylord Nelson (politician)
- Jonathon Porritt (politician)
- E. F. Schumacher (economist)
- David Suzuki (scientist, broadcaster)
- Henry David Thoreau (writer, philosopher)
- Paul Watson (activist and lecturer)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Encyclopædia Britannica Online, Environmentalism (social science)
- ^ Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson, ed. (2005). Oxford Dictionary of English (2nd revised ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198610572.
[edit] External links
- EnviroLink Network - A non-profit clearinghouse of environmental news and information
