Applying the Political Geography of Scale: Grassroots Strategies and Environmental Justice

TLDR

The grassroots environmental movement typically protests local land‑use projects, but many groups have expanded to environmental justice, driven by historical context, activist radicalization, and growing networks. The study examines how Monroe County, WV, grassroots opposition to a proposed transmission line uses environmental justice appeals as a strategic response to siting regulations. Using political geography of scale concepts, the author interprets the Monroe County efforts and demonstrates how their strategies connect grassroots and environmental justice scales. The analysis shows that the activists’ strategies link the grassroots scale with that of environmental justice.

Abstract

The grassroots environmental movement often protests locally unwanted land uses. Many grassroots groups have, however, expanded their agenda to the scale of environmental justice. Explanations for this scale transformation include historical circumstances, individuals' radicalization through activism, and the growth of environmental justice networks. This case study, grassroots environmentalists' opposition to a proposed electricity transmission line in Monroe County, WV, explores another explanation: appeals for environmental justice are also a strategic response to siting regulatory procedures. With concepts emerging from the political geography of scale, I interpret the Monroe Countians' efforts and show how their strategies link the grassroots scale with that of environmental justice.