E3G

Third Generation Environmentalism: A mini manifesto

By Chris Littlecott

Back in the early days of E3G, we produced a short introductory manifesto to describe who we were and what we were trying to do.

Much of the institutional information that document contained has now been superseded as E3G itself has evolved and grown.

But our analysis of the reasons why a new approach was required has stood the test of time rather better.

Here below is a snapshot of our early thinking from 2004.

Third Generation Environmentalism: Only Connect

John Ashton, Tom Burke, Nick Mabey

The first generation of environmentalism focussed on the conservation of species and habitats. The second generation widened that focus to include pollution and natural resources.

Campaigning from outside the established institutions, the environment movement in the 20th Century brilliantly succeeded in building consciousness of the harm human beings are doing to their planet and thus to themselves. It has been less successful in changing the choices and behaviours that cause that harm.

Third generation environmentalism builds on this success. The third generation of environmentalists are not outsiders. They are to be found at all levels in bureaucracies, corporations, universities, trades unions, professional associations, voluntary organisations and elsewhere throughout the world.

They are for solutions rather than against problems. They know that no one nation, organisation or person can deliver lasting environmental change. They will work with anyone, anywhere, who has something better to offer the environment.

E3G is an environmental organisation for the 21st Century. Its mission is to turn arguments into achievements by working with the hundreds of thousands of third generation environmentalists to be found within the existing matrices of power and influence.

E3G does not have a new environmental agenda. It has a different approach to the current agenda.