Addressing environmental justice

 Addressing Environmental Justice

Addison McClure

Over the next five to ten years, I truly hope that we can see huge companies make a change. The thing is the issue of climate change is so complex and is different everywhere, that it is not going to change just after one decision. From stuff I have learned in this class, one thing I hope to see is a movement to restore natural habitats. From rainforests, to coral reefs, to reservoirs, I hope that there is a effort to restore those habitats. I do not think these habitats are recognized enough for the work that they do. One example is the wetlands near New Orleans. It is very specific, but when researching the impact of hurricane Katrina, I found that destruction of the wetlands is a huge issue. Wetlands can naturally prevent flooding have followed a natural cycle for years where silt is replaced and washed away. This cycle however has been disrupted by city infrastructure. The man-made canals stop the cycle from happened which then makes flooding more intense. This has contributed to the city of New Orleans quite literally sinking. 

I think something I would also like to see in the future is a change to access to sustainable products. Right now it seems as though making the choice to be sustainable can sometimes be an expensive one. When it comes to cars, housing, food, clothes, and much more, sometimes the sustainable option is too expensive. I would really just like social justice to be a part of the climate change discussion. For it to be recognized how race, class, and so much more are an extremely important part of the climate change discussion.