Socio-spatial Holes in the Advocacy Umbrella: The Spatial Diffusion of Risk and Network Response Among Environmental Organizations in the Marcellus Hydro-fracturing Region

Abstract

This chapter examines the effect of the spatial distribution of hydro-fracturing activity in Pennsylvania on the formation of networks of interaction among environmental advocacy organizations. These advocacy coalitions emerged as geographically widespread mechanisms for mobilization of resources and information. From a policy view, these environmental networks play a vital advocacy role, providing resources and information for local citizenry in the small towns and rural areas of Pennsylvania. In areas where these coalitions create effective organizational networks, advocacy resources are rich. Where such network connections are sparse, organizational resources are also sparse. The scope, structure, and density of these networks constitute important dimensions of mobilization in social movements, but are seldom analyzed along spatial dimensions. We show that the structure of this network can be described using spatial gravity models. These models add an important dimension to community factors influencing mobilization not covered in the social movement literature. However, we note that there are holes in the structure of this network that leave specific communities underserved and more at risk for environmental impacts. These communities are far more isolated in this network than would be predicted by gravity models and call for additional analysis using methods developed in social movement studies. We end with a discussion of areas for productive overlap between social movement and socio-spatial approaches, as well as a discussion of implications for mobilization and advocacy from a spatial network perspective.