A Call for Women to Lead a Different Environmental Movement

Abstract

The authors continue the critical debate fired by Shellenberger and Nordhaus's declaration of the death of environmentalism. They contend that the central claim of this essay, that Americans are becoming more politically conservative, does not recognize the robust gender gaps in political perspectives found globally among industrial countries. Specifically, “The Death of Environmentalism” ignores that women, a constituency that accounts for more than half the American population, are generally more liberal than their male counterparts. They argue further that the essay's assumptions of American conservatism are misleading and its promotion of politically conservative strategies predicated on investment in public-private partnerships is faulty. An alternative to untested models of modern environmentalism is to embrace proven best practices of activism that have been historically recognized and internationally honored. They call for women—who are perhaps uniquely socialized to be environmental proponents and have effectively challenged environmental degradation—to reframe, revitalize, and lead the third wave of environmentalism.