Environmental Justice and Increased Accessibility
by Katherine Dawson
97% of Climate Scientists agree that the climate is changing due to human activity. It is an issue that affects us all -- some have dubbed it the great equalizer. That notion, however, is categorically untrue. Climate change disproportionately affects people of color and low-income communities. In St. Louis, black residents are exposed to significantly greater environmental hazards than white residents. Black children are 2.4 times more likely to test positive for lead poisoning than white children and generate 10 times more emergency visits for asthma. These are just two examples of Environmental Racism here in St. Louis. There are countless more in our county and around the nation. Unfortunately, a good portion of sustainable solutions produced by advocates are inaccessible to those affected – think electric cars, high-priced sustainable fashion, or solar panels. These solutions are fine for those willing and able to pay a steep price, however, we must make the sustainability movement available to everyone. While we cannot solve climate change through individual action alone, here are easy and assessable steps everyone can take to reduce their environmental impact.
Sustainable Clothing
Fast fashion has quickly become the target of many conscious consumers’ ire. Not only is it wasteful, but production is often unsafe and inhumane. Buying from stores like Reformation and Girlfriend Collective, which use sustainable materials and effort humane working conditions, are good ways to reduce your environmental footprint (if you have an extra $250 lying around for a dress), but they aren’t the best. New clothes create new waste, so, to fully eliminate impact, consumers should buy clothing already in circulation. Check out our blog post “Sustainable Shopping in STL” for some of our favorite Thrift shops in St. Louis. Borrowing clothing from your friends and family is probably the most efficient method for reducing waste, especially if you are crunched for time. If you don’t share a sense of style or body type with any close friends, head down to SWAP to peruse our selection of free garments.
Sustainable Food
At some point, you might have seen the popular documentaries Cowspiracy and Seaspiracy. Despite some controversial claims, both are correct that the average American diet contributes greatly to environmental degradation. Overfishing, deforestation, greenhouse gas emission, and pollution are all side effects of animal agriculture. Moving towards an increasingly plant-based diet is not only better for our planet but also more affordable. Plant-based protein options such as tofu or beans cost half the price of your average steak. Eating green doesn’t have to mean giving up your favorite foods but limiting that bacon cheeseburger to only special occasions can do wonders for our planet. In addition, if you have space and time, growing food in your backyard/kitchen can be a wonderful way to reconnect with nature and save some cash. I love growing tomatoes, basil, strawberries, and lemons.
Get Out in Nature
Forest Park sits right in our backyard. While it’s easy to take for granted, we must remember how lucky we are to have such easy access to beautiful and abundant green spaces. Studies link spending time in nature to reductions in cortisol (a stress hormone), increased happiness, improved immunity, and faster cancer recovery rates. My suggestion: get in touch with nature through long walks, picnics with friends, or some outdoor yoga. Furthermore, rather than just simply enjoying the park, take care of it. Pick up litter on your walk or volunteer to help weed, plant, and prune. Spatial access to urban parks is often distributed unevenly between high and low-income communities. So, beyond appreciating Forest Park, we must advocate for more equitable access across the board.
Advocate
Building an inclusive movement takes more than simply suggesting accessible solutions. As stated above, advocating for the equitable distribution of resources is paramount in the fight for environmental justice. Understanding environmental racism and how it manifests throughout our communities is only the first step. Greenaction defines environmental racism as “the institutional rules, regulations, policies or government and/or corporate decisions that deliberately target certain communities...resulting in communities being disproportionately exposed to toxic and hazardous waste based upon race.” We must hold our local and federal governments accountable for their actions and demand public policy to address these injustices. This topic is nuanced and one I cannot adequately dissect in a single blog post. I encourage you to do your own research to get a complete understanding of the issue.