Two advocates describe environmentalism as both a personal choice and global movement in this excerpt from A Fierce Green Fire. Paul Hawken, author and eco-entrepreneur, characterizes environmental activism as “global, classless, unquenchable, and tireless.”

Watch Film Excerpt: Are You an Environmentalist?

Saying “We keep looking for love in all the wrong places,” Hawken cautions against expecting politicians to lead or thinking solutions will come from the top down. He sees environmentalism as a human response. “This is bigger than the Catholic Church,” says Hawken about people’s concern about the earth and use of its resources. “There are literally two million organizations in the world that are working on these issues of social justice and the environment because they’re inseparable.”

If someone admits personal concern about having clean air to breath and clean water to drink, Robert Bullard, an environmental justice advocate, asserts, “I’d say you’re an environmentalist, you just may not know it.”

This is a film excerpt from A Fierce Green Fire. American Masters presents A Fierce Green Fire, the first big-picture exploration of the environmental movement, premiering nationally Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 9-10 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) in honor of Earth Day.