Social movement for environmental justice and degrowth: Barriers and opportunities for collaboration

Abstract

The dynamically evolving movement for environmental justice has incorporated some of the themes and claims of degrowth into debates surrounding the concept of development and search for alternatives to the dominant economic models. The movement was born in the United States on the wave of opposition to the disproportionate burden of the consequences of environmental degradation on ethnic minorities and poor communities. Now, it not only focuses on protests against new megaprojects, mines, or drilling, but also looks for constructive ideas for change, combining social and ecological sensitivity. An alliance between these movements is desirable from the point of view of structural changes and the search for development alternatives. The article presents a discussion on the barriers and possibilities of cooperation between the environmental justice movement and degrowth. While they share the need for a radical transformation of current development paths, this is not a sufficient condition for successful cooperation. What is needed is a mutual understanding of the differences in perception of the source of the problem, priorities, and possible alternatives.