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Social movements for environmental justice through the lens of social movement theory
Book chapter

Social movements for environmental justice through the lens of social movement theory

Diane M. Sicotte and Robert J. Brulle
The Routledge Handbook of Environmental Justice
2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315678986-3

Abstract

Social Movement Studies Bhopal Survivors Environmental Justice Environmental Social Movement Collective Action Frames Fossil Fuel Corporations Distributive Environmental Justice Environmental Injustice Social Class Inequality Political Opportunity Global Community Monitor Fossil Fuel Extraction Human Driven Climate Change Local Struggles Climate Justice Climate Justice Movement Resource Mobilization Theory Collective Identities Social Movement Theory Small Informal Groups Fossil Fuel Elite Allies Environmental Justice Movements Climate Change Bucket Brigades
Environmental justice movements (or EJMs) are environmental social movements confronting a diverse array of issues, including conflicts over resource extraction, pollution and contamination, and climate justice. EJMs are embedded in a web of other social movements including movements for racial equality and the rights of Indigenous people and the poor, farmers, workers and many others. This chapter focuses on EJMs through the lens of social movement theory. Political Process (also called Political Opportunity) theorists argue that, prior to mobilization, there must first be some type of political opportunity that gives EJM actors hope that they can succeed. For poor people, who are used to hardships, examples throughout history show that collective action as a response to even the worst provocations is relatively uncommon; thus, something beyond miserable conditions must take place in order for people to mobilize.

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