Outline of environmentalism

Last updated October 23, 2025

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to environmentalism:

Environmentalism – broad philosophy, ideology^[1]^[2]^[3] and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements. Environmentalism advocates the preservation, restoration and/or improvement of the natural environment, and may be referred to as a movement to control pollution.^[4]

Definition

Environmentalism can be described as all of the following:

a philosophy – the study of knowledge and the nature of life
- an environmental philosophy – a branch of philosophy that studies the fundamental workings of human's relation to the environment and our place in it
- a branch of ethics – environmentalism concerns moral relationships and the intrinsic value of both humans and the environment
  - a branch of environmental ethics – environmental ethics describes the moral aspects that connect humans and non humans concerning the environment and what obligations human species have to non human species^[5]
Ideology – a system of ideas that focus on environmental thought and form how one thinks about maintaining the environment
Political movement – environmentalists seek to both change and create policy concerning environmental issues in order to protect the environment from further harm
- Social movement – as a collective group environmentalists seek to create social environmental change and protect environmental liberties through both radical and non radical ecological groups^[6]

Environmental movement

Conservation movement – seeks to protect natural areas for sustainable consumption, as well as traditional (hunting, fishing, trapping) and spiritual use.
- Environmental conservation – process in which one is involved in conserving the natural aspects of the environment. Whether through reforestation, recycling, or pollution control, environmental conservation sustains the natural quality of life.
Environmental health movement – dates at least to Progressive Era, and focuses on urban standards like clean water, efficient sewage handling, and stable population growth. Environmental health could also deal with nutrition, preventive medicine, aging, and other concerns specific to human well-being. Environmental health is also seen as an indicator for the state of the environment, or an early warning system for what may happen to humans
Environmental justice – movement that began in the U.S. in the 1980s and seeks an end to environmental racism and prevent low-income and minority communities from an unbalanced exposure to highways, garbage dumps, and factories. The Environmental Justice movement seeks to link "social" and "ecological" environmental concerns, while at the same time preventing de facto racism, and classism. This makes it particularly adequate for the construction of labor-environmental alliances.^[7]
Ecology movement – involves the Gaia theory as well as Value of Earth and other interactions between humans, science, and responsibility.
- Deep ecology – ideological spinoff of the ecology movement that views the diversity and integrity of the planetary ecosystem, in and for itself, as its primary value.
Bright green environmentalism – currently popular sub-movement that emphasizes the idea that through technology, good design and more thoughtful use of energy and resources, people can live responsible, sustainable lives while enjoying prosperity.
Anti-nuclear movement – opposes the use of various nuclear technologies.
- Positions
  - Nuclear disarmament
  - Opposes the use of nuclear power
- Anti-nuclear groups

Environmental issues

These topics relate to the anthropogenic effects on the natural environment:

History of environmentalism

History of the anti-nuclear movement (from before 1945)
History of organic farming (from ancient times)
History of passive solar building design
History of sustainability (from the earliest civilizations)
History of waste management (from ancient times)

History of pollution sources

History of coal mining (from ancient times)
History of the diesel car (from 1933)
History of electric power transmission (from the late 19th century)
History of the jet engine
History of manufactured gas (from the 18th century)
History of the oil shale industry (from the mid-19th century)
History of the oil tanker (since 1863?)
History of rail transport (from nearly 500 years ago)
History of rapid transit (from 1863)
History of road transport (from ancient times)
History of the steam engine (from the first century CE)
History of steam road vehicles (experimentally from the 17th century)
History of water fluoridation (from c. 1901, with research on cause Colorado brown stain)

Timelines

Timeline of history of environmentalism

Environmentalism organizations

Environmental organization
- List of conservation organisations
- List of environmental organizations

Environmentalism publications

References

↑ "Ideology and Sustainability".
↑ "Debunking Green Myths". February 2002.
↑ Donald Gibson. Environmentalism: Ideology and Power. Nova Science Pub Inc. 2003
↑ "Environmentalism Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster". 14 July 2023.
↑ Brennan, Andrew; Lo, Yeuk-Sze (2016-01-01). Zalta, Edward N. (ed.). The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2016 ed.).
↑ O'Riordan, T. (1977-01-01). "Environmental Ideologies". Environment and Planning A. 9 (1): 3–14. Bibcode:1977EnPlA...9....3O. doi:10.1068/a090003. ISSN 0308-518X. S2CID 220491265.
↑ Dan Jakopovich. "Uniting to Win: Labor-Environmental Alliances".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

External links

Environmental history

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[1] "Ideology and Sustainability".

[2] "Debunking Green Myths". February 2002.

[3] Donald Gibson. Environmentalism: Ideology and Power. Nova Science Pub Inc. 2003

[4] "Environmentalism Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster". 14 July 2023.

[5] Brennan, Andrew; Lo, Yeuk-Sze (2016-01-01). Zalta, Edward N. (ed.). The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2016 ed.).

[6] O'Riordan, T. (1977-01-01). "Environmental Ideologies". Environment and Planning A. 9 (1): 3–14. Bibcode:1977EnPlA...9....3O. doi:10.1068/a090003. ISSN 0308-518X. S2CID 220491265.

[7] Dan Jakopovich. "Uniting to Win: Labor-Environmental Alliances".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

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