Affiliation:
1. International Studies, Denison University, Granville, OH 43023, USA
Abstract
This article examines connections between religious nationalism, extremist movements, and environmental politics, with a focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks and debates in the United States since 2020. It begins with a brief history of ESG, then examines responses from mainstream conservatives and far-right groups to the growth of ESG. It argues that the current backlash against the use of ESG is part of a larger conservative culture war against “woke” politics. The article offers a detailed look at the role of the conservative advocacy group Heritage Action and its “ESG Hurts” campaign, and shows how climate denial, conspiracy theories, and hostility to race and gender politics are interconnected parts of a growing ideological movement rooted in Christian Nationalism and climate denial.
Reference61 articles.
1. AAM (2023, August 30). Multi-Faith Action. Available online: https://www.aamarchives.org/who-was-involved/faith-organisations.html.
2. Armbruster-Sandoval, Ralph (2005). Globalization and Cross-Border Labor Solidarity in the Americas: The Anti-Sweatshop Movement and the Struggle for Social Justice, Routledge.
3. Shaming the Corporation: The Social Production of Targets and the Anti-Sweatshop Movement;Bartley;American Sociological Review,2014
4. Bary, Andrew (2023, August 19). Bud Light Sales Fall 26% as Transgender Backlash Worsens. Available online: https://www.barrons.com/articles/bud-light-sales-dylan-mulvaney-transgender-backlash-9d426f09.
5. Benjamin, Jeff (2023, August 30). Faith-based investing catches a ride on the ESG wave. Available online: https://www.investmentnews.com/faith-based-investing-rides-esg-wave-197660.