WHITHER ENVIRONMENTALISM? ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

The green movement, a 'master social movement', is one of the twentieth century's most influential social movements. In a relatively short period of time it has been successful in raising awareness of environmental problems and placing them firmly on the political agenda. The importance these issues are afforded and the place they occupy on this agenda is contested however. Environmentalism is now largely a discourse of sustainability. For many this demonstrates its success; for others it represents its mainstreaming and hence decline. But most movements are dynamic rather than static, and change in response to the pressures they face and the counter-measures of those they challenge. This article reflects on this social change dynamic. It briefly traces the green movement through its formative phases before considering its standing at the beginning of the new century and its participation in the global justice movement.