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Abstract

In this chapter, we explore the inner journeys of nine individuals who for many years have been very much a part of the outer world, working as environmental activists. Our purpose here is to better understand how long-term environmental activists sustain commitment to their work. To help set the stage for this discussion, we open with a brief sketch of one of these individuals.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting—

over and over announcing your place in the family of things.

Mary Oliver (1992)

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Authors

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Edmund V. O’Sullivan Marilyn M. Taylor

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© 2004 Edmund V. O’Sullivan and Marilyn M. Taylor

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Kovan, J.T., Dirkx, J.M. (2004). Nurturing the Internal Flame: Sustained Commitment to Environmental Work. In: O’Sullivan, E.V., Taylor, M.M. (eds) Learning Toward an Ecological Consciousness: Selected Transformative Practices. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4039-8238-4_9

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