the environmental movement

This chapter looks at the history of the journals of the environmental movement, which of all social movements discussed in the book, was/is by far the largest. By the 1970s, the e.m. had become a mainstream movement. Note, however, that typically the only time the mainstream media focuses its attention on the environment is when a major environmental crisis occurs.

Nature of today's e.m. journals: Glossy pages (eco-porn); exists as a kind of donor-service for those who donate money to the cause.

Nature of the e.m. movement and its press: A more long-term movement than others, e.m. movement victories are rarely permanent; the e.m. movement addresses issues which are of a much broader scope than other s.m.'s, and the sheer magnitude of the overall environmental crisis we face on the planet means that e.m. movement faces huge problems; as such, large, permanent institutions (like the Sierra Club) are thus necessary for the movement to work towards its goals...

Political hurdles: Since the Reagan era, when "enviromentalism" ceased to be a bipartisan issue, the e.m. (along with other groups) came to be seen as a "special interest group", which, if you think about it, seems somehow contradictory and ultimately self-defeating considering what is at stake. But this is the political reality in which the e.m. must work in Washington (especially whenever Republicans hold more sway...)

Notable journals:

1) The Sierra Club Bulletin (began 1893)-Probably one of the most well-known journals of the e.m. which has led the way for the protection and conservation of America's natural resources. Before WWII, the e.m. had largely worked with the government to see these goals met. But after WWII, the government's role changed to one that the e.m. had to fight against to see its goals met. The journal helped prevent the damming of the Grand Canyon in 1966, among other things. David Bower became the journal's first editor and after leaving in 1970, went on to work at other influential e.m. journals such as Not Man Apart and the Earth Island Journal.

2) Whole Earth Catalog (began 1966)-The one-of-a-kind journal of the back-to-the-land movement which provided its readers with untold practical "how-to" advice for getting back in touch with Mother Earth. Focused not on changing environmental policy, but on how people lived their lives, and its purpose was to connect people and information.

3) RAIN (1975-mid 80's)-Similar in scope to the Whole Earth Catalog, but with less of its eccentricities. Like w.e.c., provided an outlet of information for those who desired to connect more closely with the land; originated in the Northwest.

4) Orion (1982)- More of a literary journal than other e.m. journals, with a focus on good writing.

5) Earth First! Journal (1980)-The monkeywrenchers guide to eco-sabotage, with a focus on how-to action against the infrastructure deemed harmful to the environment.

6) Regional publications, focusing on the sense of place that makes each region unique, including Cascadia West, the Northern Forest Forum, the Adirondack Explorer and High Country News.