Civic Environmental Populism and the Heartland Pipeline Fight

The Heartland Pipeline fight is a case study in how civic environmental populism can be used to challenge corporate power and protect the environment. The proposed pipeline would have transported tar sands oil from Canada through the Midwest to the Gulf Coast. It was opposed by a diverse coalition of landowners, environmentalists, and Native American tribes who argued that the pipeline would damage the environment, harm public health, and violate treaty rights.

Dirt Persuasion: Civic Environmental Populism and the Heartland's Pipeline Fight

by Derek Moscato

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5768 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	243 pages
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The fight against the Heartland Pipeline was successful. In 2020, the Nebraska Public Service Commission denied a permit for the pipeline, effectively killing the project. The victory was a major win for the environmental movement and a testament to the power of civic environmental populism.

What is civic environmental populism?

Civic environmental populism is a political ideology that emphasizes the importance of citizen participation in environmental decision-making. Civic environmental populists believe that ordinary people have the right to have a say in how their environment is managed, and that corporate interests should not be allowed to override the public interest.

Civic environmental populism is not a new ideology. It has roots in the Progressive Era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when citizens fought for reforms to protect the environment and public health. In recent years, civic environmental populism has seen a resurgence, as people have become increasingly concerned about the impact of climate change and other environmental problems.

The Heartland Pipeline fight

The Heartland Pipeline fight is a classic example of civic environmental populism in action. The proposed pipeline would have crossed over 1,000 miles of land, including sensitive ecosystems and Native American reservations. Opponents of the pipeline argued that it would damage the environment, harm public health, and violate treaty rights.

The fight against the Heartland Pipeline was led by a diverse coalition of landowners, environmentalists, and Native American tribes. The coalition used a variety of tactics to oppose the pipeline, including public hearings, protests, and legal challenges.

In 2020, the Nebraska Public Service Commission denied a permit for the pipeline, effectively killing the project. The victory was a major win for the environmental movement and a testament to the power of civic environmental populism.

The future of civic environmental populism

The Heartland Pipeline fight is just one example of how civic environmental populism can be used to challenge corporate power and protect the environment. As the environmental crisis worsens, civic environmental populism is likely to become an increasingly important force in politics.

There are a number of things that can be done to support civic environmental populism. First, it is important to educate people about the importance of environmental protection. Second, it is important to support organizations that are working to protect the environment. Third, it is important to participate in the political process and make your voice heard on environmental issues.

Civic environmental populism is a powerful force for good. It can be used to challenge corporate power, protect the environment, and create a more just and sustainable world.

Image credits

Image of protesters at a Heartland Pipeline hearing: Courtesy of the Sierra Club

Image of a Native American woman holding a sign that says "No Pipeline": Courtesy of the Indigenous Environmental Network

Dirt Persuasion: Civic Environmental Populism and the Heartland's Pipeline Fight

by Derek Moscato

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5768 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	243 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE