A greener South Africa? Environmentalism, politics & the future

ABSTRACT

In a world of dehumanising poverty, collapsing ecological systems, and deeply stressed social structures, social movements are attempting to transform the structures and values that are identified as the underlying causes of these symptoms. The green or environmental movement seems to fit the label of a social movement. The environmental concern in the form of a scenario and a prescription, emerged during the 1960s and 1970s. A distinction is made between environmentalism as a political or social movement phenomenon and traditional conservation. The philosophical underpinnings of environmentalism with its interest in the fundamental transformation of institutions and values, served as a point of departure. Environmentalism and sustainable development are analysed before finally an attempt is made to apply and explore the linkages and manifestations in the unfolding South African context. It is concluded that, because it seems that the arguments underlying our environmental discussions are as much about the structures of our society as they are about the environment, the new South Africa might just be a greener place after all.