Environmental Activism and Global Media

This chapter investigates the intricate relationship between environmental issues in the North Eastern (NE) region of India and the news media. Despite its rich natural resources, the NE region has remained largely untapped. The Indian government’s increasing presence in the area, marked by developmental projects, has also left its environmental footprint. While the media has extensively covered environmental discourse in India, it has paid relatively less attention to the NE region. This chapter contends that the absence of a critical space for the production and consumption of environmental meanings could lead to unsustainable development in the region, posing risks to the culture, society, and the people of NE India. Environmental issues serve as material conditions around which the media constructs narratives of existential threats. Consequently, when the media frames environmental issues in terms of ‘risk-responsibility’, it shifts the political and normative discourse towards development and economic growth. This chapter problematises such discursive practices that pit environmental concerns against national development projects, leading to cognitive dissonance among the public and undermining critical discussions on their adverse environmental impacts. The chapter adopts the conceptual framework of the ‘construction of threat’ within the environmental discourse of the NE region.

The term "environmental activism," which emerged in the 1960s, refers to a social movement with origins in several fields. It includes everything from laws and policies to treaties, conferences, conventions, protocols, agreements, declarations, and recommendations, all aimed at protecting the environment. The term's versatility and variety of use have led to different interpretations. Since ancient times, global communities have engaged in environmental activities, leading to a contested natural environment. These conflicts are over power and resource access, influenced by shared cultural and social constructs. The study explores the evolution of global environmental activism, tracing its development from ancient to contemporary activism. It examines the media's role in addressing environmental activism. The study analyses policy-making documents, focusing on forming global environmental conventions, treaties, guidelines, and declarations. Environmental activism has evolved significantly since its inception. Post-WWII, it expanded globally, particularly in the context of international security. The activism is influenced by social, economic, and political factors, influenced by diverse global states with varying interests, and is a broad framework encompassing diverse perspectives and values.

In the context of twentieth-century government policy, the term ‘conservation’ has been ambiguous. While the general public associates it with waste prevention, scholars and government officials frequently define it as the careful management of natural resources. The impact of democracy on environmental issues is a focal debate among social and environmental scientists alike. While democracy may assist prevention of environmental harm, counter question its efficacy and claim that it may even lead to environmental destruction. Given the critical role that national political institutions play in biodiversity conservation, it is critical to comprehend the relationship between a country’s level of democratic governance and its biodiversity conservation efforts. Achieving ecological democracy necessitates improved communication between political and ecological stakeholders, as well as the application of democratic ideas to evaluate existing institutions and consider alternatives that better integrate politics and ecology. In this essay, we outline the relationship between democracy and environmental issues. Economic growth in the industrialised world has been largely powered by high levels of fossil fuel usage, which has resulted in substantial environmental issues. Given the critical role that democratic processes play in developing environmental policies, it is critical to take steps to strengthen accountability of political leaders and improve access to environmental information. The assessment suggests many strategies to attain this goal, including an emphasis on improving democratic transparency and increasing public understanding of environmental challenges. Democratic institutions can help to achieve a more sustainable and fair future for all by empowering citizens and encouraging greater environmental responsibility.

Climate change has put democracies all around the world in the midst of one of their greatest crises ever. Climate change is predicted to bring about heat waves, droughts, and sea level rise, which could spark significant civil upheaval and the overthrow of governments. About two thirds of all historical carbon emissions are attributable to the three largest democracies in the world: the United States, Japan, and the European Union. No democracy has reduced its emissions to a level that satisfies the goals of the Paris Agreement by 2020. It is clear from this angle that democracies have not done a good job of addressing climate change. However, studies show that democracy may have a positive influence on policies addressing climate change and environmental preservation. Numerous researches have confirmed the connection between democracy and lowering global warming. Democracies that are performing better have robust institutions for running their governments and less corruption. Additionally, studies have shown that countries with significant fossil fuel industries are both major polluters and ineffective climate change combatants. Democracies must operate effectively to adequately handle the climate catastrophe, but as long as many democracies continue to struggle with their own institutional issues, they will be unable to do so. The present book chapter examines some of the benefits and drawbacks of democracy in addressing the climate catastrophe, as well as the necessity to secure public engagement, promote climate justice, and raise awareness of environmental issues. Additionally, it describes the major issues that climate change presents for democracy and offers an overall evaluation of how democratic governments have handled climate change.

Understanding the vulnerability of our environment and the significance of its conservation is known as environmental awareness. Promoting environmental awareness is a simple approach to taking care of the environment and contributing to ensuring that our children have a better future. Our environment is a shared resource that is endangered by the rapid expansion of extractive activities to keep up with demands driven by consumerism and shaped by industry. Through media, people can associate reasons and effects, thus getting informed and reflecting upon the given information, to understand the origins and the causes of the major environmental problems. Mass media plays an important role in creating environmental awareness among people. Social media have fueled the development of the independent activist. Social media may be utilized during certain campaigns as a pressure point to stimulate and promote support. Social media and online-connected sensors have the power to alter how the environmental sector and all associated parties—the public, businesses, and governments—interact, exchange information, and make choices. Social media expands the public’s reach and enables users to impact changes in the environmental sector on various issues, including the transition to renewable energy sources and the dynamics of ongoing dialogues about climate change. Print and electronic media are two important channels for informing the public about the environment. People are informed through the media about various environmental issues and solutions. A bigger portion of the community may access professional and vocational knowledge thanks to the media. An insightful example is recent programs that advise homes to turn waste and rubbish into compost to protect the environment.

Climate change scenario has become serious over the past few years. Erratic patterns of the weather, rising sea levels and melting glaciers are becoming common over the years. Climate change has to be recognised as the greatest challenge faced by nations. Development Communication has gained popularity in the recent past and has a crucial role to play in understanding the awareness of the people and how awareness impacts action. Understanding how the meaning of climate change is perceived is as important as the social constitution of actions dealing with climate change. Research has shown that exposure to media has corresponded with an increase in awareness about climate change, however, this increase has not necessarily led to citizen-based adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Gram Panchayat is the grassroot institution which acts as a cabinet of the village. The democratically elected members of the Panchayat have a good command and influence on the community people. Academic institutions have long been working for and with the Gram Panchayats for various development initiatives in the rural areas. But the approach has to trickle down and move from a philanthropic one to a systematised sustainable one. Using the Government plans and policies to build village level change agents for climate change through concentrated efforts requires a multi-dimensional participation that can facilitate human centred approach to development. Solutions to climate change adaptation will not come from one actor or several actors alone, it needs a robust, systematised action-oriented approach which has multiple players and a participatory approach. This can be made possible by the means of tools of development communication to support the exchange of knowledge and ideas upon climate change adaptation and mitigation practices. This has in turn helped in building a cadre of change agents at the rural community level who are ensuring that communities adopt sustainable practices to reverse the effects of climate change. Bringing together these considerations, this chapter highlights the efforts which trickle across, down and upwards to identify climate change perceptions, adaptation and mitigation practices vis-à-vis some solutions that can help in reduction of the climate change effect. The larger picture, however is about building capacities of the local level formal and informal leaders to act as catalysers for change at their local communities to raise awareness and support action.

Environment has both positive as well as negative impact on the life of (wo)men on Earth. Due to widespread human activities irreparable loss has happened to the environment and continues to happen which has a deep impact on the lives of (wo)men across the globe. Environment and environmentalism have been in dominant discourse since the sixties. Noted author and thinker Ramachandra Guha argues, ‘environmentalism must be viewed as a social program, a charter of action which seeks to protect cherished habitats, protest against their degradation, and prescribe less destructive technologies and lifestyle’ (Guha, Environmentalism: A global history, Allen Lane (Penguin Group), 2014). Environment is common to humankind and environmental issues such as loss of biodiversity, climate change, deforestation, ocean acidification, desertification, global warming, etc. are also causes of common concern for all regardless of culture, nationality and national border to protect the environment. Environmental activism is on the rise across the globe which implies ‘the actions of individuals or groups that protect or aid the environment’. It is not a new phenomenon; it is as old as the environmental concern itself. History is replete with instances of such activism locally, nationally and globally. Chipko movement (embrace the trees to oppose felling) was a significant movement in India led by local villagers and women in Doon valley to protect the forest and Himalayan ecology which was followed by numbers of local movements for the protection of environment. Twenty million people demonstrated against destruction of the environment on April 22, 1970, in all 50 states. Similar activist movements have happened and continue to happen locally, nationally and globally for the greater cause of the environment and humanity (Earth Day 2022). Also, such activism is being shown by individuals, groups (large and small), civil society, and NGOs (national and international). This chapter aims at conceptualising the idea of ‘environmental activism’ and discussing how that is taking place from local to global level. Further, it will examine the outcome of such activism and the way forward from it.

Environmental activism is primarily associated with protests conducted by various environmental organizations; however, it is a multifaceted concept encompassing a wide spectrum of activities. This chapter aims to understand environmental activism in digital age in terms of online reach and actual offline engagement. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, a systematic investigation of the economic, social, and political ramifications of environmental activism using a case study involving YouTube videos is carried out. The rise of social media has transformed environmental activism but concerns about its susceptibility to overuse and exploitation have emerged. Online empowerment of influencers can lead to “slacktivism” and echo chambers, hindering genuine engagement. False information spreads quickly, amplified by polarization, challenging truth discernment. Relying solely on social media metrics may not accurately gauge the impact of environmental efforts. Selective information biases create asymmetric information among followers, compromising activism success. Media propaganda shapes pro-environmental behaviors, but the true influence of social media on engagement remains debated. Overcoming these challenges requires responsible social media use, fostering informed engagement, and verifying information authenticity. Genuine environmental activism necessitates a collective, bottom-up approach prioritizing quality over quantity. To achieve meaningful engagement, activists must promote honest and open conversations with individuals, focusing on long-term environmental welfare. By acknowledging these factors, digital environmental activism can effectively contribute to sustainable change.

Media and environmental activism are essential in driving sustainable development in India, with media playing a crucial role in highlighting environmental concerns and fostering public awareness. The digital and social media revolution has augmented coverage of environmental issues and spurred the emergence of new environmental movements exploiting media’s power, activists can advocate for environmental causes effectively, necessitating enduring partnerships between media and activists. This paper examines the dynamic relationship between media and environmental activism in India, tracing their growth trajectories and exploring agenda-setting mechanisms. It underscores media’s role in shaping public discourse on environmental issues and advocates for collaborative efforts between media and activists to tackle environmental challenges. In real meaning, media and environmental activism synergize to foster a more sustainable and eco-conscious India.

In India, the public environmental awareness approach has been expanding simultaneously for many years, and residents are inspired to highlight environment-friendly approaches and take action against industrial pollution. The reactions towards environmental issues are not only confined to protests done by the pollution victims. Individuals have started participating in public hearing meetings for long-term construction projects and have formed non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to express their dissatisfaction with government policies. Environmental activism is described as organized participation in environmental concerns that includes an example of ecologically good behavior that is rooted in the political domain. Environmental activism starts by highlighting a minor environmental problem and elaborates on the multidimensional negative future impacts of that problem. This contributes to elaborating on a present environmental issue, studying the life cycle domains of that problem, and lastly highlighting the future scenario. Such a theory is a baseline approach for the formation of future policies based on the present scenario to maintain sustainability. As a result of public awareness and active participation, local population has started discussing the possible past, present, and future policies for the safeguarding environment. Presently, people are coming forward with innovative solutions to counter any environmental issue, and such innovative ideas are supported by many educational and research institutes. This chapter summarises the major present and past cases of India to evaluate the characteristics and evolution of environmental activism till 2023. Environmental activism has a synergid effect with mass media. This concludes that innovations in communications are appreciable in summarizing environmental activism.

Environmental problems, global climate change, and democracy are related phenomena. Global climate change, which shows up as weather extremes and altered rainfall patterns, exacerbates a number of environmental problems, including energy security, deforestation, land use changes, biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and water scarcity. Natural resources, food security, economic activity, and human health together with physical infrastructure are all significantly impacted by climate change. Furthermore, the complicated socioeconomic and cultural dynamics of the area are frequently overlooked by the conservation framework, which can hinder conservation efforts by causing disputes with nearby communities. Integrating traditional knowledge and practices, equitable benefit distribution, and local community awareness and participation in conservation programs should all be given top priority in this framework. The region is impacted by transboundary issues such as sea level rise, illegal wildlife and timber trade, changing rainfall patterns, and rising temperatures. Energy security in democracies necessitates the viability of legislative measures pertaining to carbon prices and caps, which are politically difficult due to higher emission taxes and limits. Democracy in carbon/energy demands using renewable biobased feedstocks while allowing for public choice and participation. A thorough conservation framework considering the region’s distinct socioeconomic and cultural features must be created to address these issues. Therefore, it is worthwhile to study the raising awareness by global mass media in several policy frameworks and conservation, climate change impacts on vulnerable communities, inadequate funding for conservation programs, weak implementation together with enforcement of environmental regulations, insufficient coordination among different agencies and stakeholders, regional and transboundary international cooperation, and energy security with emphasis on North-East India to ensure the United Nations Sustainable development goals. In order to combat global climate change in democracies, the chapter focuses on environmental issues including energy democracy and the role of mass media in fostering public awareness, advocating for public policy, rallying support, and facilitating action. A framework pertaining to a democratic and inclusive climate change response is also presented in this chapter, with a focus on North-East India.

One of the defining characteristics of the contemporary world is the question of the climate crisis and how the world has been responding to it. The concern over climate change has prompted most to take serious note of the matter and praise those who attempt to mitigate the issue in varied ways. Israel in recent years has grabbed the world’s attention as one of the proactive actors in tackling the issue by investing heavily in areas like renewable energy, gas, water desalination and reuse, afforestation, alternative protein, etc. In COP 27 held in 2022, Israel’s participation was defined by its advocacy of green tech and promotion of climate tech companies. It is a deliberate state strategy, given that Israel happens to be one of the major arms exporters in the world. At the core of this strategy lies the media. It is only with the support of the media that Israel hopes for a successful greenwashing strategy. Ergo, the role of the media, national, regional, and international, is a vital variable, albeit not an independent one. While some media outlets are critical of this strategy of Israel, others have positively covered the country. Some have claimed that Israel “made bloom” in an otherwise desert. We investigate the issue of greenwashing as a concept and the role the media plays in it. More specifically, we look at the case of Israel and how the country has been using it as a shield to cover and divert attention from its abysmal human rights record.

The resurgence of scholarly interests in the environment focusing on the emergence of environmental media activism since the beginning of the twenty-first century rekindled the hope that positive policies would be embraced by national governments towards the alleviation of environmental degradation and injustices in the world. However, while there has been more visibility as regards the efforts put in by the West, very little has been featured in scholarly and political debates around African eco-philosophical thoughts. There are many environmental activists utilizing both the legacy and digital media to enhance personified expressions of the ideological substructures as derived from their understanding of nature, the environment, and human relationships with nature. Despite the use of protests, legislation, and media activism, the political will to complement these efforts through actionable plans remains insufficient. This study thus focuses on recentring African Eco-Philosophy as a sustainable paradigm that is anchored on apposite ontological and ethical foundations by exploring the principles of Symbolism, Causality, Relationship, Belongingness, Harmony and Cosmological Balance, Solidarity, and Respect for nature. It thus provides a critical perspective that proposes holistic and sustainable environmental interventions towards taking more proactive messaging in the digital media in the advocacy for environmental justice.

The representation of environmental crisis through the medium of celluloid has started gaining primacy throughout the world in the twenty-first century. Popularly referred to as “green cinemas,” these movies undertake an attempt to portray the various types of anthropocentric upheavals that are wreaking havoc on the natural world. At the same time, they also effectively engage in a critical dialogue on ecological justice concerns. In India, green cinemas are still at a nascent stage. Apart from a few documentaries like Shores of Silence (2000), The Weeping Apple (2005), The Man Who Speaks Nature (2018), and The Boy Who Saw More (2019), there has been a lack of attempt to utilize the silver screen to generate awareness about the climate catastrophes. However, in the last two decades, Indian regional films have demonstrated a growing interest in exploring the genre of green cinema. Films like Bonani (1989) in Assamese, Bhoomi Geetha (1997) in Kannada, Urrumatram (2002) in Tamil, Paani (2018) in Marathi, Wade (2020) and The Naxalites (1980) in Bengali, and Kadvi Hawa (2017) and Peepli Live (2010) in Hindi are some of the masterpieces of contemporary Indian green cinemas that have garnered wide critical acclaim. The consciousness that these films create with respect to climate change and grassroot activism in the various corners of the country cannot be overlooked. The paper critically analyzes two such films, Bonani and Wade, with the aim of demonstrating their role in fostering an increased awareness of environmental concerns among the citizens of the nation.

International environmental governance can be viewed as a collection of international organisations and instruments designed to respond to globalisation-induced environmental issues covering global, regional or subregional scales. There is no consensus on the definition of international governance; some see it as an analytical view based on the diversity of actual global politics, others as a political response to the problem caused by globalisation at a more global level and others still as a tool for restoring climate justice. The threat posed by climate change is seen as a complex, worldwide ecological challenge that has evolved international environmental cooperation. International governance seeks to be inclusive and diverse in the sense that it brings together democracies/intergovernmental, non-governmental and private actors who collaborate to promote a better environment, both locally or globally, under environmental activism. Several environmental organisations and movements encourage their members to adjust their lifestyles in order to lessen their own carbon footprints. The most complicated atmospheric issue presently threatening the world environment is climate change. By highlighting the main political and legal developments in the international sphere, it helps to understand the evolution of global climate change cooperation. The proposed chapter aims to assess the role of international collaboration in policy-making on global climate change.