The illusion of conservation
why loving nature is not enough
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46661/rec.11732Keywords:
Environmental alienation, Cult of wilderness, Environmentalism of the poor, Half-Earth vs. Whole-Earth, DegrowthAbstract
This study investigates how prioritizing environmental issues in the European Union relates to support for specific policies under the European Green Deal, namely biodiversity protection versus reducing energy consumption. Using data from Eurobarometer 96.3 (2022) and employing both contingency table analysis and logistic regression models, the findings reveal that individuals who consider the environment a crucial issue tend to strongly favor biodiversity conservation, while policies aimed at reducing energy consumption receive comparatively less support.
The statistical analysis indicates that segments with greater economic stability and higher education levels are more likely to prioritize biodiversity, whereas those facing economic difficulties are less inclined to view the environment as a key issue. This divergence is interpreted as the "European Green Paradox": a scenario where environmental concern is primarily directed toward preserving natural spaces without challenging the underlying consumption and production patterns that drive ecological degradation.
Furthermore, the article situates these results within broader theoretical debates concerning the "cult of wilderness" and “environmentalism of the poor”. It highlights how the prevailing conservation logic reinforces environmental alienation and class divisions in shaping ecological priorities. Ultimately, the study calls for rethinking environmental policies to more effectively integrate social justice and structural transformations aimed at genuinely reducing economic metabolism.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Marina Requena-i-Mora, Inés Gutiérrez Cueli
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