Evolution of a Movement: Four Decades of California Environmental Justice Activism

Environmental justice activists in California have fought for clean air, water, and safe communities for decades, evolving from protests to policy advocacy and working within the state's political system. Tracy E. Perkins' book "Evolution of a Movement" explores the successes and failures of the environmental justice movement, highlighting the potential of traditional political channels to enact change.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 302 pages
Publication date: 05 April 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

Despite residing and working in California, one of the county's most environmentally progressive states, environmental justice activists have dedicated decades to advocating for clean air, clean water, and safe, healthy communities. Evolution of a Movement delves into their remarkable journey, spanning from the fervent protests of the 1980s and 1990s to the growing influence of activists within the state capitol in the 2000s and 2010s. Tracy E. Perkins meticulously chronicles how shifting political contexts, coupled with activists' own efforts to institutionalize their work within nonprofits and state structures, have shaped the trajectory of environmental justice activism in California. By unveiling these struggles and transformations, Perkins presents a fresh perspective on understanding the environmental justice movement in the state.

Drawing upon comprehensive case studies and 125 in-depth interviews with activists hailing from Sacramento to the California-Mexico border, Perkins delves into the successes and challenges of the environmental justice movement in California. She explores why some activists have shifted away from disruptive outsider political tactics, commonly employed in the movement's early days, and embraced traditional political channels of policy advocacy, electoral politics, and working within the state's political system to bring about change. While some view these changes as a testament to the growing sophistication of the environmental justice movement, others raise concerns about the potential dilution of grassroots power.

In the face of urgent questions about the most effective path to achieving meaningful change, this book offers valuable insights into the strengths and limitations of social movement institutionalization. It sheds light on the strategies employed by environmental justice activists, the challenges they face, and the opportunities they create for positive transformation in communities across California.

Weight: 418g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520376984