Environmental Studies: Ethics, Ideas and Nature: Environmental Activism

In this article, Thom Davies, an environmental and political geographer, examines the connection between marginalized communities and environmental injustice resulting from structural and slow violence. Through an exploration of the concept of slow violence—the delayed form of violence typically unaffiliated with its original causes—Davies presents an interesting look into how environmental injustice and afflicted communities also connect through historical and structural violence. Issues of toxicity and contamination that affect low-income and marginalized communities are heavily ignored by society. Davis offers an insightful look at slow violence using the example of "Cancer Alley," an 85-mile area in Louisiana filled with petrochemical plants and oil refineries. Despite evidence of high cancer rates and illness, the afflicted communities (predominately African-American/low-income) continue to fight against issues of environmental racism, social inequality, and lack of societal awareness.
Davies's work offers an effective framework of slow violence and activism by challenging the notion that structural and slow violence are entirely invisible. By suggesting that diverse point-of-views and perspectives on slow violence exist, but lack mainstream attentiveness and inclusion, Davies encourages that knowledge and direct experiences from marginalized communities should act at the forefront in writings of violence and slow violence acknowledgment. - Annotation by Cherin Russell, Fall 2023

In this article, Armin Yeganeh, an Asian-American Professor at Michigan State University, speaks on job accessibility and it’s influence on salary. We are in a place where refurbishing an aging highway system is no longer sufficient. Refurbishing the highway may address physical issues with the highway, but it does not address the larger issues. Congestion and air pollution would still be an issue, and more importantly, it would not address the equity and accessibility needs. The highway system negatively impacts poor people and people of color, and investment in it starves public transportation of funding. In the past years, people have sought to move from a focus on mobility to a focus on accessibility. This article took data from transportation use in Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) to figure out the trends and equity issues in the transportation sector. Accessibility is based on proximity to jobs, frequency of jobs, and amount of time it takes to get to jobs. An equation that was weighted on population found that white people have the lowest mean job accessibility (MJA), as in they have the highest travel time/distance; however, they make up most of the higher-paid workforce. Of the people making a salary of 225,000 or above, 79.6% were white, 10.6% were Asian, 5.5% were Hispanic, and only 1.6% were black. To give more context, white people only make up 50.4% of the total documented workforce. There are systematic hindrances, ones that go beyond transportation, on people of color that give them less access to jobs. Even in Kansas City, where transportation is free, only 2.2% of the population uses transit to commute. Free transport, while a step in the right direction, does not guarantee job equality. - Annotation by Aidan Dillon, Spring 2023

“Susan M. Darlington” From Gale Literature: Is a biography that dives into the work and perspective of environmental scholar and activist Susan and Darlington by analyzing Darlington contributions to the field, this source sheds light on a feminist perspective within environmental activism. It explores how gender, race and environmental justice intersect offing insights into how feminist theories enrich understandings of environmental issues. Susan M. Darlington's work, particularly focusing on her research in Thailand about Buddhist monks' involvement in environmental activism. Darlington's book, "The Ordination of a Tree: The Thai Buddhist Environmental Movement," tells the story of how these monks use Buddhist teachings to protect forests, symbolized by the act of "ordaining" trees. She notes in her book that this act brings up issues of politics, economics, inequalities, and power, challenging people to take responsibility for society and the environment. This would augment our research by highlighting the gendered dimensions of environmental activism contributing more inclusive and effective strategies within environmental movements
This source talks about Susan M. Darlington, an environmental scholar and activist, and how her ideas include looking at environmental issues through a feminist lens. It shows us how things like gender, race, and fairness in the environment are connected. This adds to what we've learned in class by showing us a unique perspective. It reminds us to think about how everyone is affected by environmental problems, especially groups who might be left out of the conversation. This source is good because it helps us see how considering these different perspectives can make environmental movements stronger and fairer for everyone with the information on those perspectives. - Annotation by Riley Ross Spring 2024

The article, “Autism and Climate Change,” written by Vera, who does not provide a last name, describes the challenges faced by people with autism in supporting the environment and fighting climate change. Some traits in ASD make executive functioning more difficult at times, and combined with sensory sensitivity and difficult social interactions, this can make it harder for people on the spectrum to participate in activism that revolves around crowded protests and social change. It can also be more difficult for people with sensory issues and limited executive functioning to live a more environmental lifestyle. For example, Vera shared that, although she tried for a time, it was more difficult for her to have a more eco-friendly diet. However, as she continues to navigate environmental activism on the spectrum, Vera provides a few ways that autism can be helpful rather than a limitation. These include an increased ability to “try to figure out why things are the way they are,” a strong sense of justice, and any other skills that the specific person might have that can help fight climate change (Ambitious about Autism).
This source is important because it brings awareness to a subject that is almost never talked about, the way that people with ASD participate in activism. If we are more aware of the challenges encountered when trying to engage in activism and the solutions, we are better equipped to include everyone in a cause that requires everyone. It is also essential to mention that everyone deserves to be included in environmental activism; no one should be left feeling as if they have no ability to help or add anything to a cause that they find important. I would recommend this source because it is written with personal experience and a passion to better the way that non-autistic people and people with autism interact and participate in activism together. - Annotation by Audrey Brand Spring 2024

This environmentalist podcast hosted by Daniel Rami featured Dorceta Taylor in a discussion of the absence of diversity in the movement to combat climate crises, and her personal experiences as an activist. Dorceta Taylor is an environmental sociologist who is not only Senior Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Yale School of the Environment but can be credited for much work in environmental justice and its connection to racism. This podcast summarizes the early origins of the environmental movement, people focusing on deforestation, the first Earth Day, etc; but she mentions the ignorance of race, sex, and class in the movement and the lack of real analysis of the historical roots of environmental issues. Taylor talks about the lack of inclusion for people of color, especially in the 1960s and until the environmental justice movement in the 1990s that questioned the structures of environmental issues. The perspectives which Taylor presents in this interview are critical of the flaws of environmental activism and environmental justice movements, allowing for more sociological analysis of current environmentalism.
Understanding the connection between racism, misrepresentation, and systematic oppression in all aspects of society is key to uprooting issues like environmentalism. The activism and justice movements to combat climate crises and enforce sustainability are weakened by a lack of inclusion and are actually portrayed in some climate injustices which have occurred. In Robert Bullard and Beverly Wright’s “How the Government Response to Disaster Endangers African American Communities” in The Wrong Complexion for Protection, they mention various incidents of slowed and insignificant government responses to environmental issues in underprivileged communities and communities of color, and the disregard for the health and welfare of underrepresented groups when it comes to climate and sustainability issues. This is exactly what Dorceta Taylor is analyzing from a sociological perspective; the United States’ origins are rooted in white supremacy and the inferiority of people and women of color, which has not only weakened the environmentalist movement but made some issues worse in these areas. Taylor’s perspectives and experience allow the audience to grasp another view on environmental activism, and potentially encourage them to adopt another level of social justice. - Annotation by Anonymous, Spring 2023

This article, written by Genevieve Fox at The Guardian, is about the young environmental activist, Mikaela Loach. Mikaela was born in Jamaica in 1998, and during her early life, her parents made sure she knew about her heritage and encouraged her to advocate for what is right. Mikaela has never been one to be afraid of getting her hands dirty when it comes to activism, even if it might affect her life negatively. She has encouraged a lot of change in the environment through her actions. These actions range from small things like bake sales to raise money for tsunami victims and also chaining herself to the XR stage during the Extinction Rebellion Scotland’s Autumn Uprising. The article also talks about Mikaela’s early life and how the bullying in her early years has affected who she is today. With this article, it is interesting to see a modern perspective compared to some of the other readings from class this semester.
This source is very effective at conveying Mikaela Loach’s attitude concerning some aspects of the environment movement indirectly, as well as showing how her life has influenced her decisions when it comes to activism. This source along with Mikaela’s podcast “Yikes Podcast” and her new book “It’s Not That Radical” work together to create a view into the modern environmental movement. Overall, this source summarizes her activism into bite-sized pieces and allows people to see some of the inner workings of her mind. - Annotation by Gavin Klaassen, Spring 2023

“Wake Up Calls” is an indie baroque pop album by English musician, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Cosmo Sheldrake. Sheldrake used field recordings of birds native to the United Kingdom who are on the red and amber lists of endangered birds in conjunction with his own voice and outside instruments to blend man-made music with nature’s music. The album, consisting of thirteen songs, includes birds such as the Bittern, the Cuckoo, the Short Eared Owl, and the Nightingale. Sheldrake also uses recordings of a Sheldrake, adding a personal connection to his family name and the bird, which is also on the amber list.
By creating such an album, Cosmo has created a conversation within popular music about endangered species and allows people to enjoy their calls while they still can. Sheldrake says he “hope[s] that this music may serve as a wake up call: to help us become more aware of the glorious polyphonic soundworlds that surround us before many of these voices become extinct in Britain, and to remind us not to take any of these creatures and the music that they make for granted.” Sheldrake also donates 50% of the royalties of the album to conservation organizations working with the birds featured in the album or the habitats they reside in. Aldo Leopold states in "The Land Ethic" from the Sand County Almanac that an ethical relation to land cannot exist without love, respect, and admiration. This album is composed of thirteen songs that are dedicated to the love of the land and nature we inhabit. It reinforces Leopold’s statement and many of the topics discussed in class of the mutual respect that must come with relationships between humans and non-humans. I am recommending this source because I was immediately taken with it when I first listened to it in 2020, when I was majoring in music. It was a wakeup call for myself to understand the gravity of the situation regarding endangered animals and prompted my involvement in conservation and protection efforts of wildlife. - Annotation by Elly Masteller, Fall 2023

This magazine article is based on an Indian reservation of a sacred lake community in California and Nevada simultaneously. So. Lake Tahoe is a preservation lake basin that is the home of an Indian tribe called the Washoe Indians. The Da’wa” is in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range and carries a significant spiritual and “breathed life” into the land, plants, fish, birds, waters and people around it. “(Gordon: pg. 1). Language revitalization and future conservations of this tribe solely depends on the reintegration of values of the culture to the local population, youth coordinators, and policy makers through government affiliations. There are dignitaries, politicians, locals, and native tribe advocates that face a challenging course ahead to preserve the language through learning, yearly activities, festivals, and the legendary Baldwin beach conservation museum that is fighting against tourism to keep the Washoe Tribe traditions alive.
Preserving cultural heritage holds a significant aspect of practices and resilience passed on to generations through educational activism and environmental advocacy. There are significant correlations to ethical and definitive purpose of conservation of indigenous recreation areas of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Tourism has both negative and positive responses to keeping a culture alive. I recommend this source, Where Wašiw is Spoken: The Washoe Tribe is Passing Its Unique Language On and Up | NMAI Magazine (americanindianmagazine.org) for the connection of ecosystems and relationships to the environment through history and ceremonial information it provides . There are environmental stewardships of human respect and responsibility throughout the article that articulates the efforts toward the land, water , and National forest preservation. When actively participating in an educational program that intertwines environment with culture of a conservation and wildlife the gap that binds tradition with future generations holds a significant place in environmental justice in the indigenous population. - Annotation by Ami Bieik Spring 2024

The third source I am proposing for consideration is Dear Matafele Peinam by Marshallese poet, Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner. Jetñil-Kijiner wrote this poem for her daughter and read the piece at the opening ceremony of the UN Climate Conference in 2014. “Dear Matafele
Peinam” tells of the looming inundation of island nations like the Marshall Islands. It warns of the destruction of Jetñil-Kijiner and her daughter’s homeland and the loss of their culture as their people scatter to find safety. The tone then shifts and Jetñil-Kijiner comforts her daughter, saying that they will fight climate change and stop its effects and that people all over the world are fighting to save her.
“Dear Matafele Peinam” adds the perspective of the pacific islanders who face imminent danger from rising sea levels and, even in their desperation to save themselves, their children, and their heritage, use poetry to draw attention to their fight and inspire supporters. Jetñil-Jijiner
acknowledges and accepts the overwhelming climate grief that billions of people around the globe feel and twists it into a tool to use to fight for environmental justice. - Annotation by Anonymous Spring 2024

This poem is a piece of writing as well as performance art created by two indigenous women, Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner and Aka Niviâna, one from the Marshall Islands and the other from Greenland. Together, they share stories from their homelands and discuss the imminent threat that climate change has on not only their land, but on people all over the world. While one loses animals and land, the other is slowly sinking underwater due to the melting icecaps. This poem has two main parts to its argument. One is that peoples are interconnected and while two communities may face different issues, the root cause -climate catastrophe- stays the same. Even broader than that, this poem states that the fight for a greener and better earth is not only an indigenous issue, but an issue that effects everyone around the world. Until people are united in fighting for a better future, we cannot see the progress we need.
This piece works in tandem with many of the readings in our course and reflects the ideas we’ve spoken about in class. The idea of climate change disproportionately affecting marginalized groups is something that has come up multiple times. We discussed issues such as the exclusion and fear Black women can feel in environmental spaces or the harmful effects of pollution on low income and communities of color. This poem brings another perspective to the class by not only highlighting indigenous women but showing effects of climate change in smaller areas around the world. - Annotation by Margaret Bhattarai Spring 2024