Compare and contrast national environmental organizations, radical groups, and NGOs.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

To compare, all of these are groups, which means that instead of individuals, many people are working together for a common cause. It is generally more effective and productive to work with others, multiplying the efforts. Organizations can bring about major changes in the environmental policy. There is power in organization and persistence. In contrast, the way these groups go about their efforts is very different. Most national organizations are old and very influential. Their members are generally passive and know little of the inner workings of the organization. Some of the larger groups have many lobbyists in Washington, who are extremely powerful in influencing environmental legislation. Radical groups tend to work under the premise of "direct action." They tend to be involved in attention-grabbing actions such as picketing, protesting, road blocks, etc. Their efforts may sometimes even be controversial. However, their actions many times result in crucial environmental changes. Finally, NGOs, because they tend to be international, can be extremely important in protecting environmental hotspots. Public education and consciousness-raising tactics including demonstrations, civil disobedience, media events, etc., are important means of communication for these groups. Not all NGOs remain highly visible, some work quietly behind the scenes. They are very important in bringing attention to areas that local groups would never be able to attain.