Frames, Fear, and Identity in the American Environmental Movement
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Nijjar, Manraaj S
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Abstract
As more Americans become increasingly concerned with the dangers associated with climate change, the environmental movement in the United States continues to grow. With a recent surge in participation from younger activists in the movement there is the increasing likelihood of a generational clash that will have to end in compromise or conflict. Through semi-structured in-depth interviews with environmental activists in incorporated environmental organizations we make a number of conclusions. There is a generational divide between older and younger activists on the diagnostic and prognostic frames. Activists all feel an intense fear around climate change and that influences their personal and strategic decisions. Younger activists have a hard time identifying with the activist identity due to the standards they believe are necessary to consider oneself an ideal activist.
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Keywords
Sociology, Social movements, Frames, Environmental movement, Climate change, Activist identity