Who or what, in your opinion, is an Environmentalist?

Question

There is a neverending stream of references to a group of people known as "Environmentalists". I am interested in what characteristics, behaviours, opinions etc you think would place somebody in this category. Another way of looking at this question could be to ask what Environmentalism is, as somebody who is an Environmentalist must surely practice Environmentalism

ps please dont answer this question with "somebody who cares about the environment, duh"

Answer 1

Someone who will expend fossil fuels going to a 'save the planet' protest. That stickers the windscreens of new 4x4's, but leaves the fume spewing old 2CV or Beetle untouched. Believes in 'renewable energy' (although semantically that defies physics), but won't want to see the landscape covered in wind farms or wave-powered generators. Protests at the building of roads that allow for safe, free travel - yet complain theat their precious country lanes are congested with traffic. Rides a bicycle without ANY regard to road safety & traffic laws - further increasing their belief that cars are evil.

The THEORY of environmental protection & conservation IS sound. It's just the misguided crackpots that let the whole 'green' movement down with their mixed messages, pseudo science & hypocracy. eg. 100's of the worlds environmental scientists FLY & DRIVE to a conference to discuss the overuse of fossil fuels....a conference that COULD have been conducted via the internet / video conferencing nodoubt......

Answer 2

I guess the media refer to groups such as Greenpeace and friends of the Earth when they are talking about environmentalists. I am passionate about the environment but do not consider myself to be an environmentalist. I think this might be to do with the stereotype of people who love the environment- tree-hugging, vegetarian, protesting hippies. I am none of these. However, I do try to make ethical choices about environmental issues- I bought an environmentally friendly car, I live in an area that produces all its electricity using renewable sources, I compost and recycle and buy organic/free range food where possible.

I guess that what I am trying to say is that environmentalists are people who not only care about there environment AND act to do something about it.

Answer 3

The real environmentalist is somebody with a deep knowledge of the intrinsic, spiritual, practical and economic value of natural resources.

Is a person that believes there is a way to balance Human activities with the conservation of landscapes, soil, flora and fauna, and works hard toward this objective.

Answer 4

An Enviromentalist is a person who believes any enviroment, whether indoors , city or forest must be kept well to sustain healthy life within it's boundaries.

Answer 5

The one who cares about the environment. Those who don't trash the roads, waters, or air by any unnecessary means.

Answer 6

Anonymous li and Clari is right