This section covers a wide range of organizations that govern, manage, study, advocate for, impact, educate about, and interact with the Earth's environments. Organizations operate at local, regional, national, international and global scales; and in the public and private sectors of society. Included are: governmental organizations like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States; international bodies like the International Union for Conservation of Nature; educational organizations like the School for Field Studies; environmental organizations like the World Wildlife Fund; corporations, and research centers.

Humanity's relationship to the Earth's environments in modern times has been marked by periods of time when groups of individuals have come together around shared viewpoint on an environmental issue.  They have expressed that view by taking action individually and as a community through outlets such as writings, philosophy and ethics, political action, and other kinds of behavior. Such movements are often marked by broad changes in attitudes toward society's relationship with nature and specific changes in law. Environmental movements are also often associated with scientific discovery and the changes in education about environmental issues. Certain individuals or events often come to be recognized as "catalytic" or "symbolic" of an environmental movement. Examples include: John Muir, his writings, and the founding of the Sierra Club in 1892; the publication of "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carlson in 1962; and the First Earth Day on April 22, 1970.