[sky_rw]

The spectrum lies in what the proposed solution to any man-made ecological problem should be. Typically solutions to these proposed problems require increased cost burden on either individuals or businesses, sacrifices in lifestyle, increased regulation, etc. With anything like this politics comes into play almost immediately.

The way I see it, your 'environmentalist' label generally applies to those who thing we should spend/sacrifice a lot. And the 'climate denier'/'anti-environmentalist' label applies to those at the opposite end of the spectrum who don't think we should sacrifice or spend anything.

Also re: slavery, more people are enslaved now in the world than at any point in history. More black men are enslaved by the prison system in the USA than there were at the height of North American slavery. So things are never so boolean.