Environmentalism: assessing the impact. [Review of organizations and activities]
It is estimated that there are probably about 50 environmentalist groups which can claim to have a national base and anywhere between 2,500 and 5,000 small, grassroots organizations. Overall membership of the Top 50 is estimated to be in the region of four million and those groups probably command an annual budget of about $100 million. Brief summaries are included here of the activities of several of the leading groups, namely: (1) Natural Resources Defense Council; (2) Environmental Defense Fund; (3) Wilderness Society; (4) Nature Conservancy; (5) National Wildlife Federation; (6) Sierra Club; and (7) Friends of the Earth. In the last hectic decade of growth, the environmentalist movement has undergone some far-reaching changes. As its grassroots base burgeoned, so did the movement's power, confidence and professionalism. Environmental litigation and lobbying have attracted some of the brightest graduates of law schools; an elaborate communications network has grown up that links tiny local groups and big national ones; and the focus of the movement's activities has taken a noticeable switch towards energy-related questions. One of the most frequent charges voiced against the movement, and admittedly valid criticism, is that of elitism and alienation from labor, minorities, and other sectors of the population. The 1976 amendment to the tax law-allowing groups to spend roughly 20% or up to $1 million of their revenues on lobbying activities-has had dramatic effects, throwing into the fray the wealthy and broadly based groups.
- OSTI ID:
- 5283897
- Journal Information:
- Energy Dly.; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Dly.; (United States)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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POLICY AND ECONOMY
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
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TAXES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
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