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The Wastefulness of the Environmental Movement - An Investigation into Sustainable Activism

Junge, Eva LU (2018) HEKM51 20181
Human Ecology
Abstract
This thesis examines how the Climate Justice Movement in Germany is set up today and how
activists relate to and feel about their activism. Specifically, factors are investigated that make
people feel unhappy about their activism or even leave the movement. Furthermore, potential
changes of the movement in order to become a healthier and more sustainable environment
for activists are suggested.
Participatory Action Research was conducted and data was collected through unstructured
interviews, autobiographic reflection and informal conversations. This study finds that the
Climate Justice Movement has indeed inherited violent and destructive dynamics of the
surrounding world system. Capitalist pressures of efficiency, competition and... (More)
This thesis examines how the Climate Justice Movement in Germany is set up today and how
activists relate to and feel about their activism. Specifically, factors are investigated that make
people feel unhappy about their activism or even leave the movement. Furthermore, potential
changes of the movement in order to become a healthier and more sustainable environment
for activists are suggested.
Participatory Action Research was conducted and data was collected through unstructured
interviews, autobiographic reflection and informal conversations. This study finds that the
Climate Justice Movement has indeed inherited violent and destructive dynamics of the
surrounding world system. Capitalist pressures of efficiency, competition and productivism
just like patriarchal oppression are visible. An exploitative culture of activism that creates an
adverse social metabolism and consequent rift of activists within a supposedly anti-capitalist
and pro-sustainability movement is a consequence.
Various starting points for a restructuring process have been identified. A first important step
is the fundamental recognition of the embeddedness of the movement in the current system
and the resulting pressures and traumata that activists experience as a consequence.
Furthermore, internal dynamics and working cultures need to be scrutinized. Developing a
holistically authentic strategy that can make the CJM a healthier, more sustainable and
coherent place for current and future activists will play an essential role in the urgently
needed great transformation. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Junge, Eva LU
supervisor
organization
course
HEKM51 20181
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Sustainable Activism, Climate Justice Movement, Ende Gelände, Sustainability, Scholar Activism, Participatory Action Research, Burn-Out, Overwork, Health, Capitalism
language
English
id
8940824
date added to LUP
2018-12-21 11:18:17
date last changed
2018-12-21 11:18:17
@misc{8940824,
  abstract     = {{This thesis examines how the Climate Justice Movement in Germany is set up today and how
activists relate to and feel about their activism. Specifically, factors are investigated that make
people feel unhappy about their activism or even leave the movement. Furthermore, potential
changes of the movement in order to become a healthier and more sustainable environment
for activists are suggested.
Participatory Action Research was conducted and data was collected through unstructured
interviews, autobiographic reflection and informal conversations. This study finds that the
Climate Justice Movement has indeed inherited violent and destructive dynamics of the
surrounding world system. Capitalist pressures of efficiency, competition and productivism
just like patriarchal oppression are visible. An exploitative culture of activism that creates an
adverse social metabolism and consequent rift of activists within a supposedly anti-capitalist
and pro-sustainability movement is a consequence.
Various starting points for a restructuring process have been identified. A first important step
is the fundamental recognition of the embeddedness of the movement in the current system
and the resulting pressures and traumata that activists experience as a consequence.
Furthermore, internal dynamics and working cultures need to be scrutinized. Developing a
holistically authentic strategy that can make the CJM a healthier, more sustainable and
coherent place for current and future activists will play an essential role in the urgently
needed great transformation.}},
  author       = {{Junge, Eva}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Wastefulness of the Environmental Movement - An Investigation into Sustainable Activism}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}