What four principles united many green political movements beginning in the 1960s?

Beginning in the 1960s, green political movements emerged as a distinct force, uniting diverse philosophical strands under four foundational pillars that provided a common theme for their broad goals. These four principles are:1

• Protection of the environment: A commitment to safeguarding natural systems and addressing ecological degradation.1
• Grassroots democracy: A focus on empowering individuals and ensuring that political institutions are transparent, accountable, and accessible.1
• Social justice: A dedication to equity, the eradication of poverty, and the promotion of human rights.1
• Nonviolence: An emphasis on peaceful conflict resolution and cooperation, rejecting the use of force in political and social change.1

While these four pillars served as the original unifying framework for political ecology, later international agreements, such as the Global Greens Charter established in 2001, expanded upon these foundations to include additional principles like sustainability and respect for diversity.2