Everyday Environmentalism in Russia

• In Event: Everyday Activism in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

Early research on environmental activism in post-Soviet Russia focused on the legacy of industrial pollution from the Soviet era and new threats to endangered animal and plant species. In the 1990s and early 2000s, foreign donors to Russian civil society organizations also prioritized the preservation of wildlife and natural areas. However, recent research reveals the growing significance of “everyday environmentalism” to Russian citizens who use informal strategies, including social media campaigns and crowdfunding, to address issues such as waste disposal, recycling, and air pollution. This paper examines how these development challenge existing analyses of Russian civil society.

Author

• Laura A. Henry, Bowdoin College