Presentation short abstract

In Romania, far-right movements fuse Orthodox Christianity with ecological narratives, framing nature as a symbol of national and spiritual purity. Environmentalism becomes a tool to promote exclusionary, nativist politics, linking faith, land, and identity in nationalist discourse.

Presentation long abstract

In Romania, the intersection of ecology, religion, and far-right politics reveals a complex and often troubling fusion of environmental concerns with nationalist and spiritual ideologies. Far-right movements increasingly appropriate ecological discourse, framing environmental protection as a sacred duty tied to the nation’s identity and Orthodox Christian values. Forests, rivers, and rural landscapes are not simply natural resources; they are imagined as extensions of the Romanian people’s spiritual and cultural heritage. This vision portrays environmental degradation not only as a material problem but also as a moral and spiritual threat to the nation.

Religious symbolism is central to this discourse. Orthodox Christianity is invoked to legitimize environmental stewardship, presenting the protection of nature as a moral obligation and an expression of divine duty. Traditional rural life, often idealized in nationalist narratives, becomes a model for harmonious living with the land, further intertwining faith, culture, and ecology.

However, these narratives are exclusionary. Ecological care is framed in ways that reinforce nativist and xenophobic ideologies, portraying outsiders, migrants, or globalized economic actors as threats to both the environment and national purity. In effect, ecological discourse becomes a tool for legitimizing far-right agendas, masking social and political hierarchies under the guise of environmental concern.

Understanding this entanglement is crucial for scholars and policymakers seeking to pursue environmental advocacy in Romania. It highlights how ecology can be co-opted by ideological movements, demonstrating the need for inclusive approaches that protect both nature and social diversity while resisting the instrumentalization of environmentalism for exclusionary politics.