environmentalmovement

The environmental movement, also called the environmentalmovement, is a broad social and political effort to protect the natural environment, reduce pollution, conserve resources, and promote sustainable development. It encompasses non-governmental organizations, scientific researchers, policymakers, community groups, indigenous movements, and ordinary citizens who organize, advocate, and mobilize around environmental concerns.

Its modern form emerged in the mid-20th century in response to rising pollution and ecological degradation, though conservation ideas precede it. Influential milestones include Rachel Carson's Silent Spring (1962), which highlighted pesticide dangers; the first Earth Day in 1970; and the creation of environmental protection agencies and laws in several countries. Internationally, it helped spur conferences and treaties such as the Stockholm Conference (1972) and the Rio Summit (1992).

Organizationally, the movement relies on a mix of advocacy, scientific research, public campaigns, litigation, and grassroots organizing. It has a global reach with regional variations in focus, from climate policy and fossil fuel divestment to biodiversity protection and water quality. Major NGOs such as Greenpeace, the World Wide Fund for Nature, and the Sierra Club, along with local groups, participate in campaigns, policy advising, and corporate engagement.

Critics have questioned its effectiveness, potential tradeoffs with economic growth, and inequities in whose voices are heard. Supporters argue that environmental protection is linked to public health, long-term economic resilience, and environmental justice for marginalized communities. The movement remains central to debates on climate action, energy transition, and sustainable development, continually adapting to new scientific findings and political contexts.