ABSTRACT
The environment became one of the prominent sites of social movement activity following the emergence of new social movements of the 1960s and 1970s across the industrialised nations. The consolidation of green movements marked a shift in emphasis from a focus on nature conservation and environmentalism to one focussing upon the relationship between human societies and the organic realm. The work of green movements is diverse and includes economics, political and social relations, culture, gender, science and technology as these impact upon both the organic realm (i.e. ‘nature’) and social systems. The pursuit of progressive social agendas consistent with sustainable ecological practices through a diverse range of political, social and cultural interventions distinguishes Green movements from environmental movements. Doherty (2002) argues that the UK green movement is a social movement on the grounds that there is an emphasis on action outside formal political institutions, use of protest repertoires including direct action, operating as an informal network and challenging dominant forms of power. In what follows we will remain true to this definition by distinguishing between green movements as social movement actors and the more formalised organisational sections of the green movement milieu such as green political parties and large social movement organisations such as Greenpeace. This is consistent with our emphasis on social movement as informal networks which we believe have historically typified these forms of social innovation and transformation.
