Week 1: Key Concepts
In the article, “13 Climate Justice Leaders Imagined as Comic Superheroes,” there are many important environmental leaders highlighted using comic illustrations. I found this article interesting because each person has a unique perspective on climate justice. For instance, Adrianna Quintero appears to hold the inclusive attitude that everyone can save the environment. Her comic exhibits the strength and power of the everyday person because her superhero is relatable and holds up an arm signifying strength. Additionally, Patricia Espinosa Cantellano stresses the significance of hearing the voices of women when combating climate change. Also, the comic of Neil deGrasse Tyson displays the perspective of how important science and knowledge is for understanding the climate. There is also the religious leader, Pope Francis, who emphasizes the need for “a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all” (Editors 2018). Through portraying the different types of climate justice advocates, this article underlines how there is not simply one definition of a typical environmentalist. All of these leaders bring unique perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas about climate justice.
The “Bali Principles of Climate Justice” piece includes important explanations of climate justice. The work defines climate change as “a scientific reality whose effects are already being felt around the world” (2002). The anthropogenic causes of climate change are substantial, with industrial countries having the main contributions. A focus of this piece is how “the perpetration of climate change violates the Universal Declaration on Human Rights” (Anon 2002). There is a sense of disproportionality, meaning some communities feel the effect of climate change more than others, including those on the coast and the poor, yet these affected groups are often not able to put their input in the discussions surrounding climate change solutions. Climate change victims of the effects of climate change deserve compensation, meaning they should receive help regaining or re-establishing what they lost because of climate change. Additionally, there is a need to educate people on the environmental and social issues that we are facing. This work describes how the people of future generations also deserve “natural resources, a stable climate, and a healthy planet” (Anon 2002).
In Confronting Environmental Racism, Robert Bullard describes the prevalence and impacts of environmental racism. Bullard points out how people of color face the dangerous effects of “municipal landfills, incinerators, polluting industries, and hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities” (Bullard 1993). This environmental racism has been a problem since colonization. In modern times, there is a lack of protection for people of color with government environmental agencies, making these communities more susceptible to environmental issues like pollution. Incinerators are more likely to be placed in communities of color, and this placement “has everything to do with lack of social power” (Bullard 1993). This environmental racism can have serious health consequences, such as with the case of lead poisoning. Bullard stresses how there cannot be long-term solutions to the environmental issues that we face until we first address “the system of racial injustice that helps sustain the existence of powerless communities forced to bear disproportionate environmental costs” (Bullard 1993). Bullard also points out how mainstream environmentalism is dominated by white, upper-class and well-educated people.
Similar to Bullard’s concept of mainstream environmentalism, in Climate Change and Gender Justice, Geraldine Terry describes how gender issues are excluded from mainstream media. Terry emphasizes how gender plays a large role with environmental vulnerability, with certain groups being more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In fact, “rural women in developing countries” are the most vulnerable (Terry 2009). Terry underlines the importance of women’s voices being heard to help build effective strategies to fight environmental issues. Along similar lines, in Gender and Climate Change: An Introduction, Irene Dankelman addresses the inequality and vulnerability of women. In this work, Dankelman explains that “Race and sex discriminations are still pervasive in the workplace and such disparities are obvious in the Gulf Coast region” (Dankelman 2010). Dankelman discusses how the physical coast along with women are vulnerable to disasters like Hurricane Katrina. Women were greatly affected by the disaster of Katrina and were less likely to get jobs or be able to move back (Dankelman 2010).
Overall, most of these works evoked similar emotions of sadness, empathy, surprise, and frustration. The “13 Climate Justice Leaders Imagined as Comic Superheroes” article was on of the only pieces that made me feel hopeful and positive. Since this article incorporated colorful images and displayed many amazing environmental heroes, the work has a more hopeful perspective. However, many of these works include themes of injustice, racism, and inequality, contributing to more disheartening emotions.
The “Bali Principles of Climate Justice” piece includes important explanations of climate justice. The work defines climate change as “a scientific reality whose effects are already being felt around the world” (2002). The anthropogenic causes of climate change are substantial, with industrial countries having the main contributions. A focus of this piece is how “the perpetration of climate change violates the Universal Declaration on Human Rights” (Anon 2002). There is a sense of disproportionality, meaning some communities feel the effect of climate change more than others, including those on the coast and the poor, yet these affected groups are often not able to put their input in the discussions surrounding climate change solutions. Climate change victims of the effects of climate change deserve compensation, meaning they should receive help regaining or re-establishing what they lost because of climate change. Additionally, there is a need to educate people on the environmental and social issues that we are facing. This work describes how the people of future generations also deserve “natural resources, a stable climate, and a healthy planet” (Anon 2002).
In Confronting Environmental Racism, Robert Bullard describes the prevalence and impacts of environmental racism. Bullard points out how people of color face the dangerous effects of “municipal landfills, incinerators, polluting industries, and hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities” (Bullard 1993). This environmental racism has been a problem since colonization. In modern times, there is a lack of protection for people of color with government environmental agencies, making these communities more susceptible to environmental issues like pollution. Incinerators are more likely to be placed in communities of color, and this placement “has everything to do with lack of social power” (Bullard 1993). This environmental racism can have serious health consequences, such as with the case of lead poisoning. Bullard stresses how there cannot be long-term solutions to the environmental issues that we face until we first address “the system of racial injustice that helps sustain the existence of powerless communities forced to bear disproportionate environmental costs” (Bullard 1993). Bullard also points out how mainstream environmentalism is dominated by white, upper-class and well-educated people.
Similar to Bullard’s concept of mainstream environmentalism, in Climate Change and Gender Justice, Geraldine Terry describes how gender issues are excluded from mainstream media. Terry emphasizes how gender plays a large role with environmental vulnerability, with certain groups being more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In fact, “rural women in developing countries” are the most vulnerable (Terry 2009). Terry underlines the importance of women’s voices being heard to help build effective strategies to fight environmental issues. Along similar lines, in Gender and Climate Change: An Introduction, Irene Dankelman addresses the inequality and vulnerability of women. In this work, Dankelman explains that “Race and sex discriminations are still pervasive in the workplace and such disparities are obvious in the Gulf Coast region” (Dankelman 2010). Dankelman discusses how the physical coast along with women are vulnerable to disasters like Hurricane Katrina. Women were greatly affected by the disaster of Katrina and were less likely to get jobs or be able to move back (Dankelman 2010).
Overall, most of these works evoked similar emotions of sadness, empathy, surprise, and frustration. The “13 Climate Justice Leaders Imagined as Comic Superheroes” article was on of the only pieces that made me feel hopeful and positive. Since this article incorporated colorful images and displayed many amazing environmental heroes, the work has a more hopeful perspective. However, many of these works include themes of injustice, racism, and inequality, contributing to more disheartening emotions.
References
Anon. 2002. “Bali Principles of Climate Justice.” Retrieved January 17, 2019
Bullard, Robert D. 1993. Confronting Environmental Racism: Voices From the Grassroots. 1 edition. Boston, Mass: South End Press.
Dankelman, Irene. 2010. Gender and Climate Change: An Introduction. 1 edition. Washington, DC: Routledge.
Editors, YES! 2018. “13 Climate Justice Leaders Imagined as Comic Superheroes.”
Terry, Geraldine. 2009. Climate Change and Gender Justice. Warwickshire, UK : Oxford, UK: Practical Action.
Great job. We will hopefully encounter texts that will provide more hope in the future. - Professor FRG
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