The upcoming International Polar Year is a perfect example of how science has fueled the environmentalism trend, allowing it to take off in popular culture.
I'm glad to be on board here at Suite101.com and excited to write about the topic of environmentalism. I chose to write about this topic because of its obvious current relevance, a relevance that is increasing day by day.
Step back about four or five decades ago and put yourselves in the shoes of a environmental activist. You feel strongly about issues relating to the environment and are conscious of the Earth's limited natural resources and the horrendous pace at which your culture is consuming them, seemingly eating the world alive. But your warnings are shrugged off, people are worried about other things.
Fastforward to today, but keep the same pair of shoes. Now it seems that instead of being scoffed at and met with rolling eyes, you're in the mainstream and everyone is wearing the same brand of shoes. Environmental concerns can't be ignored in the face of mounting evidence - the melting of polar ice caps being one of the most painfully obvious.
Perhaps it is fitting then that the International Polar Year starting next March explain where environmentalism as a concept stands at today. This internationally recognized UN-funded intiative is one based in science. The first IPY was way back in 1882, and this well established event will mean thousands of scientists and billions of research dollars seeking out scientific knowledge to understand more about the fastest-warming environment on earth.
But the phenomenon doesn't stop at science alone. It will pour over into arts and culture of the participating countries. The Canadian government is offering funds via the National Film Board to filmmakers who will make movies about the arctic region. Other countries have similar initiatives.
The movement seems fitting. After all it was scientific knowledge that spurred the environmental movment. As society developed at break-neck speed, it was scientists who first spoke up and pointed out that continual consumption couldn't be possible on a planet with limited resources.
Since then environmentalism has caught on everywhere. There's been a paradigm shift in society away from thinking of the Earth as an unending source of resources to instead looking at it as a wider living ecosystem that we are slowly killing. The shift is evident in everything from popular movies to eco-friendly products. From international political treaties regarding environmental polcies to waste management strategies within small communities.
As the narrative of environmentalism is furthered by focus from the scientific community, so to will the story be fueled by society's awareness.
