Looking for well-researched studies about the demise of the climate change movement after the Carter presidency.
Contrary to Europe the movement seems to have died off more. Subjective impression. What were the drivers?
In which channel has the green movement morphed into? Gender? Equality?
An interesting observation Thomas, although anecdotal. The early solar panels on the White House were a surprise to me as a European citizen frequenting California in the 1990s. Even today, I observe that solar panels are absent, or at least extremely rare on government buildings in Germany and the Netherlands, while common on residential property and farm buildings. That makes me wonder whether the government as the largest owner of real estate is uncommitted or pragmatic in climate change matters. Pragmatic in the sense of acting on cost-benefit principles.
The climate change movement did not die off after the Carter presidency in the USA, and it has remained an important issue for many people and organizations over the past few decades. In fact, there has been a growing global movement around climate change in recent years, as evidenced by events like the UN Climate Change Conferences and the rise of organizations like Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future.
That being said, the level of attention and action on climate change has varied over time and across different regions. Some possible reasons why the issue may have received less attention in the US than in Europe in recent years could include:
In terms of the channels through which the green movement has morphed, there is a growing recognition of the interconnectedness between environmental issues and social justice issues. As a result, many environmental organizations and activists are now working to address issues like gender, race, and economic inequality in their campaigns and initiatives. This has led to the emergence of a broader movement for "climate justice" that seeks to address both environmental and social challenges together.
I think that this issue can be attributed to a combination of factors. Firstly, the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980 signaled a shift in the political landscape, with his administration rolling back much of the environmental regulation and green initiatives put in place by the Carter administration. Secondly, the global economic recession of the 1980s further diminished the public's interest in environmental issues, as people focused on economic concerns instead. Thirdly, the rise of neoconservatism in the Reagan era also weakened the climate aware movement, as the administration sought to promote economic growth and reduce government regulation. Finally, the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s further weakened the movement, as public attention shifted toward other issues. The green movement has since morphed into a variety of different causes, including gender equality, animal rights, and sustainable development. Climate change has remained an important issue, but there has been an increased focus on more specific, localized issues such as air pollution, water quality, and energy conservation. There has also been a shift toward more grassroots activism and public education, as individuals and communities take the lead in addressing environmental issues.
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