Ken Ward makes some good points on the lack of strategic funding by environmental foundations.  But his gross errors in dollar amounts given by "just 25 of the most activist-oriented environmental foundations", which Mr. Ward says is "$850 million annually" not only undermines his case, it pretty much defangs his diatribe.  

I don't know where he gets his numbers (interesting omission of footnote on this), but an analysis fo the 2003 annual reports of the 10 largest environmental grantmaking foundations shows around $200M given to groups working in the US.  The number is larger (but not a by a huge amount)  if you include grants to international work (amazonia and africa, especially), but to include these grants is a false comparison to foundations funding right-wing advocacy to gain power in the U.S.  

In addition, his embarrassingly sloppy "quick glance at current funding guidelines and the latest list of grants by the key players" to draw any conclusion about strategic foundation directions in 2005 is simply laughable.  If this shallow analysis is how he approaches fundraising, its no wonder he's having a hard time convincing foundations to give him money.

This is all too bad, because I believe there is enormous room for improvement in all aspects of environmental work.  But nothing's going to change until we have an open, honest, and sober discussion of what needs to be done.  Dirty bombthrowing with specious arguments and data does nothing but delay this from becoming reality.  

An interesting side note:  some on the anti-environment right think we've got it together, and are begging their cohorts to be more collaborative and hence effective -- like environmental and animal rights groups.  Check it out:  http://www.sierratimes.com/05/03/16/24_210_137_23_68687.htm

What is environmentalism? Here's one definition:

Environmentalism is activism aimed at protecting the environment or improving its condition, particularly nature. This activism is usually based on the ideology of an environmental movement, and often takes the form of public education programs, advocacy, legislation and treaties.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmentalism

Since this past Presidential Election, a certain segment of those who identify themselves as environmentalists have been reflecting and hand-wringing over whether environmentalism is dead.

The simple answer to this question is that it is nowhere near dead. In fact, it is as strong as it has ever been. However, perhaps there are some changes. It seems to me that it is those who are politically liberal that are lamenting the death of environmentalism. Just take some time to look into the politics of those who are writing and speaking about and lamenting environmentalism's post mortum; generally speaking, they are politically liberal.

Perhaps the real question is: "Is liberalism's influence on environmental activism, policy, etc. being successfully countered by a more politically conservative approach to environmental activism, policy, ect." Perhaps the liberal's lament points more toward a subtle shifts in the focus of environmentalism because of the injection of conservative thought into the environmentalism's ideological structure? If that is the case, I guess, I can understand a liberal environmentalist equating that with the death of environmentalism but such would be a short-sighted view. The relative influence conservative politics has on the environmental movement as a whole reflects certain realities of this particular moment in time. You can be certain that, in the future, the realities of that moment will dictate and manifest the resurgence of a more liberal approach.

The concern for the environment and a willingness to protect and improve the quality of the natural world is not dead ... however ... perhaps the liberal approach to and influence over the environmental movement is being checked by a conservative approach to environmental issues. On further thought ... perhaps the real question should be:

"Why is 'Liberal' Environmentalism being checked by 'Conservative' Environmentalism?"

BTW, Conservative Environmentalism is not an oxymoron. It is a growing reality.