Contradictions Undermine Growing Anti-Environmentalism Movement

Anti-environmentalism is gaining traction across Western nations, with growing opposition to net zero policies, conservation efforts and environmental regulations. Political movements and figures have increasingly challenged environmental frameworks, yet their stance often reveals inconsistencies when compared with public attitudes and ecological realities.

In both the United States and the United Kingdom, populist parties and leaders have publicly rejected key environmental policies while paradoxically expressing support for environmental values. While former US President Donald Trump actively dismantled environmental protections and curtailed climate research support, he also made claims about valuing clean air and water. This dual approach highlights a broader pattern where political rhetoric diverges sharply from policy action.

Such contradictions extend to party positions. The UK’s Reform Party, similar to right-wing parties in Germany and France, has taken fluctuating stances on climate change. Past leadership echoed denialist sentiments, questioning human contributions to climate change and downplaying international cooperation efforts. However, newer leadership has adopted a less confrontational tone, acknowledging the science but criticising targets as impractical and unfair.

This strategic ambiguity is not exclusive to one nation or group. It reflects a growing global narrative where anti-environmentalist rhetoric frames environmental protection as incompatible with economic priorities, particularly job security. Researchers have highlighted how parties have succeeded in presenting environmental policies as threats to working-class livelihoods. The narrative of a binary conflict between economic growth and environmental preservation is particularly influential among industrial and rural communities.

Despite political opposition, public support for environmental protection remains high. In the UK, recent polls show that a large majority of the population is concerned about climate change, while American surveys indicate broad approval of the Environmental Protection Agency’s role, even among Republican voters. This divergence between public sentiment and political messaging illustrates the precarious foundation of anti-environmentalism.

The environmental challenges facing modern societies are not hypothetical. Shifting weather patterns, declining biodiversity, and increasing instances of ecological disruption are already impacting daily life. These effects reinforce public concern and support for interventionist policies. However, the resistance to environmental action often stems from perceived socio-economic threats, lifestyle changes, and nationalistic narratives that deflect blame onto other countries, especially China.

Ironically, non-Western nations are increasingly leading in environmental reforms. China’s state-led environmental policies aim to establish a long-term vision of ecological civilisation, focusing on conservation and decarbonisation. Similarly, across Asia and Africa, environmentalism is evolving into a matter of survival, driven by extreme weather, food insecurity, and displacement. This shift challenges the traditional Western-centric framing of environmentalism and underlines the global urgency of ecological protection.

Academic research is beginning to delve deeper into the rise of anti-environmental sentiment. Studies identify the portrayal of environmentalism as an elite or middle-class concern, creating division between identity politics and ecological responsibility. These perceptions are amplified by media narratives and political campaigns that characterise environmental advocacy as detached from ordinary concerns.

One analysis suggests that anti-environmentalism is not a monolithic ideology but rather a flexible set of positions that shift depending on political opportunity. It can range from outright denial of climate science to acceptance of climate change but opposition to specific policy measures. This inconsistency further undermines the credibility of anti-environmentalist positions.

The historical roots of environmental policy also contradict current populist rhetoric. Many foundational environmental protections were introduced by conservative governments. Organisations such as the Conservative Environment Network argue that responsible environmentalism is compatible with traditional conservative values, including stewardship, preservation, and long-term planning. Yet, in practice, these messages are often drowned out by populist agendas.

The rise of anti-environmentalism also coincides with growing environmental nostalgia—a desire to return to a perceived past, which paradoxically included more intact ecosystems. However, the rejection of present-day environmental initiatives undermines the possibility of preserving the natural heritage that nostalgic sentiments claim to value.

Ultimately, the anti-environmentalist trend appears internally conflicted and externally unsustainable. It seeks to garner support by tapping into fears and frustrations, yet it fails to offer coherent or lasting solutions to the global environmental crisis. As environmental degradation continues to affect societies across all continents, resistance to climate action risks becoming increasingly untenable.

This article is based on an analysis by Alastair Bonnett, republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Original article: The Conversation – Anti-environmentalism is on the rise but it's full of contradictions