| The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between environmental resistance (i.e., actions actions undertaken by groups or individuals aimed at preventing or undoing environmental degradation) and the legal system. Environmental resistance will be divided into two main types for purposes of this analysis. "Conservative" environmental resistance can be viewed as those actions joined under the color of law. Groups such as the Sierra Club and the National Resources Defense Council and individuals engaged in recycling efforts epitomize "conservative" environmental resistance. "Radical" environmental resistance can be described as those actions pursued outside the blessings of law, undertakings which often garnish the attention of law enforcement agencies and are frequently placed in the "domestic/international terrorism" camp by these same officials. Groups such as Earthfirst!, Earth/Animal Liberation Front, and Greenpeace and individuals best characterized as "monkeywrenchers" (to borrow Edward Abbey's provocative term) represent the ideals of "radical" environmental resistance. Drawing on case studies of the groups and individuals that fall into each of these resistance modes, this paper seeks to identify the ideological underpinnings that inform the practice of environmental resistance, with special attention placed on the role of law enforcement in shaping these ideological moorings. |
Updated 05/20/2006