Anti-environmentalism—rejection of climate goals, conservation, and pollution controls—is gaining political ground in Britain and across the West. Recent elections reveal that hostility to “net zero” and environmental protections is reshaping political landscapes, driven largely by populist parties in the US, UK, Germany, and France.

Despite its bold rhetoric, anti-environmentalism is riddled with contradictions. For example, former US President Donald Trump, who rolled back numerous environmental regulations and funding, still publicly claims to care about clean air and water. This populist stance departs from traditional conservatism, which historically championed nature preservation and resource security, as highlighted by groups like the UK’s Conservative Environment Network.

Public support for environmental protection remains strong: around 80% of Britons worry about climate change, and the US Environmental Protection Agency enjoys bipartisan backing. This reflects everyday experiences with unpredictable weather, biodiversity loss, and pollution—issues visible “outside the window.”

Yet, a disconnect persists. Many right-wing voices express nostalgia for a past version of their country while opposing the environmental policies that would protect it. This opposition often stems from resentment towards lifestyle and economic changes required by green initiatives.

The author distinguishes between “cold” environmentalism—appreciating nature as a passive spectacle—and “hot” environmentalism, which involves active concern and anxiety about environmental loss. Anti-environmentalists often claim the former, allowing them to profess love for nature while resisting efforts to save it.

Anti-environmentalism also shows inconsistent positions on climate change. UK’s Reform party exemplifies this, oscillating between denial, minimizing human impact, and framing climate goals as unfair because other countries (notably China) allegedly do too little.

Research points to a class dimension: parties like the US Republicans have convinced working-class voters there is a conflict between jobs and environmental protection, framing environmentalism as elitist and middle-class. However, environmentalism is increasingly “post-western,” growing stronger in Asia and Africa where climate impacts are severe and immediate. China, despite fossil fuel use, is positioning itself as a global leader with its “ecological civilisation” vision.

As environmentalism transcends western stereotypes, the contradictions and paradoxes of anti-environmentalism make its rise appear unsustainable.