Decarbonization’s Enemy: Environmentalism? How Environmentalism is Appropriated to Block Decarbonization of America’s Electrical Grid

“Environmentalism” is loosely defined and understood. It encompasses decarbonization, local conservation, waste disposal, environmental justice, the Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) corporate sustainability movement, anti-consumerism, and more. Many of these are in direct contrast with each other. Because of the lack of clarity in priorities, causes are often appropriated to benefit fossil fuel or self-serving Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) interests. How and where have fossil fuel interests appropriated environmentalism, what are the most common “environmental issues” to be appropriated, and how can advocates of decarbonization overcome the seduction of conservationism, localism, NIMBYism, and others?