Source: https://indevjobs.org/career/career-counsel/career-in-environmental-activism-need-of-the-hour/
First off, what is activism?
Sometimes, we accept the way our world operates. That satisfaction means you're not likely to advocate for change. However, sometimes things aren't going as you'd like. Maybe systemic racism and the gender wage gap make you angry, or the increase in global warming is getting under your skin.
Activism is any action taken to create change that's focused on political, economic, social or environmental issues and is a valuable part of our social fabric.
It has brought many issues to light and has served as the genesis for change in many instances in history. Activist movements and protests have challenged the power of entrenched interests and shed light on the issues of marginalized groups in order to effect important social changes. Women's rights, civil rights and many others are all the fruits of initial activist activities.
Source: https://pcdn.global/stories-of-impact/how-can-we-support-youth-activists-and-peacebuilders/
Eco-activism; ever heard of it?
Environmental/eco-activist. The name itself conjures up images of protest – of people chaining themselves to trees, protesting pipelines, putting their physical bodies on the line to prevent a company or project from destroying a wild area that is dear to them.
However, just like any other form of activism, eco-activism is simply a form of engagement in social and/ or political action with the aim of preventing damage to the environment.
It is a way of demonstrating how much we care for all aspects of life: how much we care for our fellow human beings, how much we care for other species, nature, our future and this planet.
In the past several decades, eco-activism has been getting an increasing amount of attention, as the environmental problem is becoming increasingly urgent to resolve.
Source: https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photos-hands-holding-planet-earth-image20408883
Okay, so…what exactly is it?
All eco-activists have one goal: to change a policy or practice in a way that benefits the environment. There are typically three types or ways of participating in activism. There is solution-driven activism, change-focused activism, and revolutionary activism.
Solution-Driven Activism
Activism isn't just about complaining about an issue, it requires action. Solution-driven activism involves finding solutions to an issue and demanding steps be taken to reach the goal. This includes strikes, protests and marches. In Trinidad, one well-known example of this is Dr Wayne Kublalsingh’s 2014 hunger strike. The former university lecturer embarked on his extreme form of protest over the building of part of a highway which would have affected fragile wetland eco-systems and several close-knit communities.
Less extreme examples are climate change marches in 2014 and 2015 by IAMovement, a Caribbean-based NGO driving positive social and environmental change, focused on sustainable energy, climate resilience and community empowerment.
Source: https://iamovement.org/climate-march-2015/
The Making Agriculture Profitable and Sustainable (MAPS) project by The Cropper Foundation also falls into this category. The objective is to take a market driven approach to protect and mitigate the environmental degradation of watersheds in the Northern Range of Trinidad and Tobago while improving farmer profitability and enhancing resilience to climate change.
Change-Focused Activism
Change-focused activism centers on larger issues and attempts to create sustainable and/or eco-friendly alternatives. Sometimes, instead of replacing the current system, another system may be instituted alongside the original.
These include individuals or organizations that emphasize alternatives to food sourcing, such as The Sunbeam Foundation, an NGO that teaches community members how to grow their own food using community gardens.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/thesunbeamfoundation/
Another example is New Fire Festival, run by the NGO T&T Bridge Initiative, which began its engagement with climate change activism in 2016 with the launch of an ecologically sustainable music festival that emphasizes reducing, reusing, and sustaining.
Revolutionary Activism
Unlike the first two examples, revolutionary activism seeks to change the opposed system. Revolutionary activists aren't looking for little changes or solutions that don't offer long-term significant change.
Source: https://wearechange.org/next-level-activism/
It is not unusual for these types of activism to overlap and sometimes exist within the same campaign. For example, an anarchist group may wish to see the destruction of capitalism and will work towards that; they may also run food co-operatives and protest against changes to policies that currently affect their lives.
Why is eco-activism important?
1. Awareness creation on environmental sustainability
Eco-activism has caused an increase in environmental awareness among people, so that they are more conscious of the effects of human activities on the environment.
2. Role in legislation
Environmental activism has played a crucial role in influencing the legislature to enact laws that aim to protect the environment. Activists may be within the government and impose the change, or even be involved in a campaign whose main aim is intimidating the legislature to enact a certain law.
3. Impact on developers
It has also led many developers to carry out their development plans bearing in mind that they will be faced with legal challenges if they cause environmental pollution.
4. Educating the masses
Environmental activism champions for the education of the population on the devastating effects of environmental degradation. Many organizations in Trinidad and Tobago (like us at Yugen Caribbean) seek to educate the public on sustainable practices and environmental conservation.
5. Push companies towards Green and Lean Manufacturing
Through environmental activism, manufacturing facilities are forced to follow guidelines on issues concerning reducing emissions, limiting carbon footprint, reducing wastage, enhancing energy efficiency, recycling of waste instead of using virgin materials, and employing eco-friendly innovative technologies, just to mention a few. All these are aimed towards green manufacturing, as well as lean manufacturing.
6. Push towards the use of alternative forms of Energy to curtail the buildup of greenhouse gases
The main aim is to find alternative energy forms and solve conflicts between environmental protection and technological developments aimed at improving the economy, while addressing greenhouse gas emissions.
7. Conservation programs
Some activists have influenced the creation of innovative conservation programs such as advocating for eco-tourism, which is a great way of conserving the environment.
8. Recycling campaigns
For example, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) advocates for re-use and the recycling of non-biodegradable products such as plastics, paper, obsolete electrical equipment, and many others with its ICARE initiative.
Source: http://www.wastewiseproductsinc.com/blog/recycling-tips/jump-on-the-recycling-bandwagon-benefit-yourself-future-generations-the-environment/
As citizens we must not underestimate our power to create change and demand more sustainable practices. We do not simply live on the world. We are not just visitors passing by. We are the guardians of our sanctuary. Our ability to love, care and feel should give us hope for the future and empower us to become environmentally responsible citizens.
What can you do?
Take the following steps to become an eco-activist and your own climate hero:
· Reflect on your life style choices.
What impact am I having on the environment?
Which environmentally-friendly choices am I making?
How can I live a life that reflects my values?
· Talk with other people about environmental issues that worry you and research solutions
· Volunteer with an environmental based NGO
· Take part in petitions
· Consciously make the decision to speak up and be the example.
Eco-activism is relevant because it does not limit itself to the protection of the natural world. Instead, it also ensures that some are not disproportionately affected by environmental degradation by giving them the opportunity to voice their concerns. Eco-activism is therefore not just about ecology: it’s also one of the best ways to bring about social and political change.
Source: https://www.brugesgroup.com/blog/who-will-save-us-from-the-eu-s-climate-alarmist-lunacy
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