The intrinsic link between environmental and social justice

This upcoming Martin Luther King Jr Day also reminds me to think of cute elementary school crafts about the good MLK did. We talk about the narrative of social justice and how he, and many others, fought for equal rights. What we don't often talk about, is that it isn't "all better now."

That doesn't mean that you or I have CAUSED this, it just means that there have been lots of crappy rules and regulations in place for a really long time. It’s important to look at how communities have been treated, how communities have been formed, and so much more.

When I think about Environmental Justice my mind  focuses on the intrinsic link between environmental and social justice. Back up, what is environmental justice? Well I don't actually know, but in my own personal definition it's treating the planet, the people, the plants, and the animals kindly. So that could mean A LOT, from food security, healthy bodies, only taking what we need, biodiversity, and so much more.

 The places and peoples in the world most heavily impacted by climate change are communities who are the most marginalized across the globe (and often times their communities are the least contributing to such environmental destruction).  

For instance, in our country, we see the highest rates of environmental disease (diseases caused by pollutants in our air, food, and water) are in more impoverished communities, which are, due to generations of unjust policy, are most often communities of color. 

Think homes and neighborhoods next to industrial pollution, lead in our water, hazardous working conditions.... Climate change is only exacerbating these pre existing issues. 

So when I envision of a future of non toxic communities, this is a conversation thats is ESSENTIAL. We need to do better. Just because one community has the money to fight hazardous waste, that doesn't mean that it should go to another community. Just because one community can pay for real food, doesn't mean we ALL shouldn't have real food. It's OUR air, it's OUR earth. It's all interconnected. I want whats best for my children and ALL children. 

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from the Birmingham Jail

 

Various Sources 

Intersectional Environmentalist

Disparities in the Impact of Air Pollution, American Lung Society

Hazardous Waste in Minority Communities

(10 year old article) on Climate Change and Poverty thats still relevant

 

What can you do? Cool resources to check out:

 

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