ERA Five: Sustainability – The Movement Goes Global

The present period of environmental history represents the continued growth of the Modern and Environmental Justice Eras into a new, global context facing new issues and questions. For example, the United Nations conservatively predicts that an estimated 9 billion people will inhabit the planet by 2050. Can a sustainable society really be built with so many people? What behaviors and systems will have to change? Questions such as these continue to plague the movement, while increasingly widespread acknowledgement exists – amongst great controversy – that the steady decline of the state of the environment demands drastic attention. Though a search for direction continues, especially after the unsuccessful United Nations climate change negotiations in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2009, the era is also known for several other broader developments.

First, the movement is undoubtedly global now. This is reflective of both an increasingly globalized society as well as improved understanding of the complexities and interrelationships of Earth’s natural systems. In this framework, the environmental movement is heavily reliant on a globalized communications industry for success. Second, practically every environmental solution proposed, whether it is green buildings, renewable energy or improved efficiency measures, arises from and is totally dependent on technology. Given the environmental movement’s history and its conflicted relationship with technology, this last fact is astonishing in nature. Third, one issue now unilaterally dominates the conversation of any individual environmentalist, organization or international entity: global climate change. The fact that the environmental movement, once largely based on the conservation of individual species or areas, is now chiefly united on one global issue is particularly noteworthy. Thus, one can perceive the vast scope and historical success of the movement now through its near-ubiquity worldwide, through concern and awareness of environmentalists and non-environmentalists alike. Finally, the three previous developments all reinforce each other to paint the broader picture of uncertainty for a global movement and a global society. Can we ultimately solve climate change and enact a sustainable society? If so, what solutions will be utilized, how do they influence our broader society and its growth? While many more questions exist than answers, they will ultimately be defined. The individuals and organizations that answer these difficult questions – in one form or another – will be the next generation of environmentalists, enacting a new era of environmental history.