Ep. 13: The Environment Won’t Save Itself
Our EQ: How is the fight for environmental justice influenced by race and class?
Guests: Krystal Kyer & Melissa Malott
Environmental advocates Krystal (Puyallup Watershed Initiative) and Melissa (Citizens for a Healthy Bay) come by to talk about environmental justice, the disproportionate effects of industrial pollution on poor communities, and the environmental organizations working to keep Tacoma healthy. Other topics include:
- The history of the environmental movement, including the creation of the National Parks by the white leisure class
- The gatekeeping of the environmental movement by electric-car driving NIMBYs and how to take it back
- The importance of urban trees!
- Concerns about the Trump administration’s unwillingness and/or inability to understand science.
- Find an environmental topic that you’re passionate about and work on it! You’ll only stick with it if you’re heart’s in it.
- Other things referenced in the episode:
- Tacoma Roots Environmental Justice Forum
- Bill McKibben The End of Nature
- 350.org
- EnviroNews Listserv
- Greater Tacoma Community Foundation Blog
** Since this recording, Kenny Coble was hired by Citizens for a Healthy Bay's new Environmental Justice Program
Do Your Fudging Homework:
- Krystal: See Hope’s note about Green Drinks Tacoma!
- Melissa: Buy reused and reusable stuff - don’t buy new stuff! We send so much to landfills and you shouldn’t need to wear fancy organic pants to be an environmentalist.
- Annie: The EPA’s “Environmental Justice." PLUS Google “Zero Waste.”
- Hope: Check out Green Drinks Tacoma - the first Thursday of the month.