Copyright © 1999. All rights reserved. Identity and Culture: theorising emergent environmentalism JUSTIN DILLON, ELIN KELSEY and ANA MARIA DUQUE-ARISTIZABAL School of Education, King's College London, UK SUMMARY This article critically examines the methodology and findings of the emergent environmentalism research project as reported in Environmental Education Research (EER), 4(4). We challenge both the ontological stance implicit in the research as well as its explicit epistemology. We argue for a wider theoretical underpinning to the research and specifically advocate the use of identity theories to explain personal and social phenomena. We also argue for the use of theoretical frameworks that empower rather than 'capture' cultural groups. Introduction Volume 4(4) of Environmental Education Research (EER) was a special issue edited by Thomas Tanner which looked at research on significant life experiences (SLE). Our commentary here is focused on the two articles that made up part II of that edition: New Research. The two articles in this section were 'Significant influences on the development of adults' environmental awareness in the UK, Slovenia and Greece' (Palmer et al., 1998a), and 'An overview of significant influences and formative experiences on the development of adults' environ- mental awareness in nine countries (Palmer et al., 1998b). These two articles, and a later article in Volume 5(2) of EER (Palmer et al., 1999), are all products of the Emergent Environmentalism Research Project (EERP) which is directed by joy Palmer. Notwithstanding this central focus, our approach necessarily acknowledges the wider theoretical context of SLE research. In justifying this research, Tanner (1998a) argues that 'it is imperative that we understand how activists (informed, responsible activists) got to be the way they are' (p.400). Palmer et al. have investigated influences and experiences that, it is claimed, have led to environ- mental concern among their samples of environmental educators. The focus of much of the work of Palmer and her colleagues is the nature of the 1350-4622/99/040395-11 © 1999 Taylor & Francis Ltd