Knowing that we can make a difference in our own carbon footprint instills a sense of empowerment in us. Ideas surrounding the reduction of single-use plastics, pledging the use of reusable items, going zero waste or ditching fast fashion has taken the forefront in environmental movements. Undoubtedly, these movements that try to combat these issues are necessary.
However, a shrouded fact lies within this constant urge to revise one's life to be more sustainable; that is: being sustainable in today's age requires a certain level of privilege.
Since time immemorial, the primary face of environmental activism has predominantly been white, upper class, and male. The fundamental idea of environmentalism propagated by thinkers like Gifford Pinchot, John Muir, and Aldo Leopold revolved around two significant aspects: bidding farewell to our urbanized systems and finding oneself in nature. Another face of the same movement propagates the use of electric cars and expensive hydro-flasks.
Whatever the side of the coin, these ideas completely ignore the narratives of people who are most impacted by such issues- people of marginalized communities.
These dialogues surrounding mainstream environmentalism also fail to highlight the rich interweaving of race with environmental problems. The Dakota Access pipeline conflict is an apt example of not only environmental injustice but injustice towards marginalized communities. An issue that has been widely ignored to date. The oil pipeline was supposed to cross the Missouri River north of Bismarck, a white-dominated place in the original drafts. Considered hazardous to the city's water supply, the pipeline was rerouted to run under Lake Oahe. Ironically Lake Oahe just happened to be a critical drinking supply for the Native American groups of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.
It can be blatantly noticed that the voices of the marginalized community were conveniently ignored to cater to the privileged population.
This ignorant rerouting was not just hazardous but also deeply insensitive- posing a threat to their water supply and their sacred and ancient tribal burial sites. Thus, the launching of this pipeline in 2017 gave rise to a series of protests by the indigenous youth, popularly known on social media as #NoDAPL. Despite the prolonged tiffs in courts and violent eruptions, the pipeline has continued to operate illegally since March 2020. The issues faced by the marginalized are silenced, diverting the spotlight to the environmental problems faced by the privileged communities.
Take a step back and analyze whether you think environmental degradation is a "future" issue. The truth is, if climate change hasn't already made a drastic influence on your life, chances are you're in a privileged position.
Even though the lack of equal representation of issues in media acts as a catalyst in sweeping the voices of the marginalized communities under the rug, one cannot deny the class biasedness of eco-activism that we witness today.
Mainstream environmentalism is notably being reduced to switching to reusable straws, cups, sustainable menstrual cups, and ditching fast fashion. Vegan diets and plant-based nutrition are heavily endorsed for the same reason. Amongst these lifestyle recommendations laid out by eco-warriors is an overlooked truth: Asking everyone to be sustainable is simply ignorant.
Sustainability is for those who can afford it. Working-class and lower-income groups barely have the means to think about sustainable living when their primary concern is surviving on meager paychecks.
The dialogues around sustainable living must be about a changed lifestyle and a mindset rather than a checklist of items you need to buy.
With the upper-middle-class themselves feeling threatened by the high costs of switching over to a plant-based lifestyle or abandoning fast fashion, how can we expect cooperation from the working class who struggle to keep their body and soul together?
The question remains as to how we can keep environmentalism away from being a boutique issue to making it accessible and inclusive. To progress towards this, it is essential that we do not label sustainability as a competition. Guilt-tripping those who cannot afford the idealistic eco-friendly lifestyle and showing empathy towards different communities are stepping stones in combating the issue.
As observed by the Dakota Access pipeline issue, decisions by governments are not based on what is best for people but what is best for businesses. It is essential to demand democratic energy systems for indigenous communities to grow towards self-dependency and recover from the dark years of colonialism. It's time to focus on the concerns of those unheard and grow towards a greener future for all.
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