Relying on a conceptual synthesis provided by the Political Process and New Social Movement theories, this article analyses the strategic and symbolic dimensions of the Brazilian environmental movement's formation process. The authors argue that three political opportunity structures - Redemocratization, Constituent Assembly and Rio 92 - provided the parameters for environmental groups to arise and face common dilemmas regarding their frames and mobilizing strategies. Through this process, a shared identity came about.
Brazilian environmental movement; political opportunity; structure; collective identity; mobilizing strategy