New Environmentalism and Transition Pittsburgh

• In Event: 561 - Regular Session. Social Movement Organizations and Community

Abstract

“New environmentalism” refers to efforts to create social and economic sustainability in local communities, emphasizing “green entrepreneurship” as a means of achieving its goals. New environmentalism is the type of diffuse, fluid movement not typically studied by social movement researchers. As a worldwide network of groups aiming to create sustainable communities, Transition exemplifies new environmentalism. This study examines the local Transition initiative in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, using participant observation and in-depth interviews. We argue that the group’s fluid structure attracts grassroots members, but may ultimately undermine its efficacy in mobilizing a social movement to achieve collective goals. Transition Pittsburgh’s entrepreneurial orientation and commitment to the open space model of organizing support a fluid movement, but limit its capacity to devise strategies and grow as an organization.

Authors

• Suzanne Staggenborg, University of Pittsburgh

• Corinne Ogrodnik, University of Pittsburgh