apocalyptic environmentalism

social science

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July 16, 2026

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Apocalyptic environmentalism, also known as survivalist environmentalism, emerged in the 1960s and 1970s. It is characterized by a pessimistic outlook on the planet's future, suggesting that Earth's ecosystem is nearing its limits of sustainability. This perspective was fueled by influential works like Rachel Carson's Silent Spring and Paul Ehrlich's The Population Bomb, which highlighted concerns about environmental degradation and its impact on human life.1

This school of thought, which is anthropocentric (human-centered), often implies that human survival may necessitate a reduction in individual freedoms to implement environmentally protective measures. It contrasts with emancipatory environmentalism, which advocates for more positive and practical solutions like recycling, alternative energy, and decentralized planning.12

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environmentalism
Apocalyptic environmentalism
The vision of the environmental movement of the 1960s and early ’70s was generally pessimistic, reflecting a pervasive sense of “civilization malaise” and a conviction that Earth’s long-term prospects were bleak. Works such as Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1962), Garrett Hardin’s “The Tragedy…
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The vision of the environmental movement of the 1960s and early ’70s was generally pessimistic, reflecting a pervasive sense of “civilization malaise” and a conviction that Earth’s long-term prospects were bleak. Works such as Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1962), Garrett Hardin’s “The Tragedy…
Read More