Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Environmental & Social Justice Movements (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))
Revision Note
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Intersection of Environmental & Social Justice Movements
Environmental movements have historically focused on conservation, ecosystem preservation and protection of natural resources
Examples include the formation and actions of organisations such as Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion, as well as the establishment of national parks and wildlife reserves
Social justice movements have aimed to address systemic injustices and discrimination against marginalised groups
Examples include the civil rights movement and feminist movements
Environmental and social justice movements have emerged from quite separate and distinct histories but are increasingly aligning to pursue common goals of fairness and equity in society
These movements seek to address issues of inequality, exploitation and discrimination, both within human societies and towards the environment
A good example of this was the Standing Rock protests
Case Study
The Standing Rock protests, also known as the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), began in 2016 as a peaceful resistance movement against the construction of an oil pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota, USA
Background
The DAPL, proposed by Energy Transfer Partners, was planned to transport crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois, crossing through sacred tribal lands and potentially endangering the region's water supply, including the Missouri River, which serves as a vital water source for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
Indigenous rights
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, along with other Indigenous tribes and activists, opposed the pipeline's construction due to concerns about environmental degradation, threats to cultural sites (the pipeline's route directly threatened sacred burial grounds), and the rights of the tribe to govern their own land
Environmental justice
Environmental activists joined forces with Indigenous groups, recognising the pipeline's broader environmental implications, such as the risk of oil spills and contribution to climate change
These protests highlighted the intersection of environmental justice and Indigenous rights, emphasising the disproportionately large impact of environmental degradation on Indigenous communities and the need to respect Indigenous sovereignty and land rights
Protests and solidarity
The protests gained international attention, drawing thousands of supporters, including environmentalists, Indigenous leaders, celebrities and activists from various backgrounds
Demonstrators engaged in nonviolent resistance, including prayer gatherings, marches, and acts of civil disobedience, to challenge the pipeline's construction and raise awareness about Indigenous rights and environmental justice issues
Legal battles and outcomes
Despite ongoing opposition, debates and legal challenges, the pipeline became operational in 2017
However, the protests led to broader conversations about Indigenous rights, environmental activism and the need for more sustainable energy solutions
Parallels between environmental and social exploitation
There is a parallel between the exploitation of nature and the exploitation of certain social groups
Just as marginalised communities face discrimination, nature has been treated as inferior and subjected to exploitation for human gain
Issues of sexism, racism, and equity intersect with concerns for future generations and environmental sustainability
For example, marginalised communities often experience the impacts of environmental degradation and climate change to a greater extent than the rest of society
Common goals of environmental and social justice
Both environmental and social justice movements advocate for fair and just societies
They both challenge the common themes and narratives of humans having superiority over nature and the marginalisation of certain social groups
Examples include:
Access to clean air, water and land for all communities
Mitigation of climate change and adaptation strategies that prioritise vulnerable populations
Recognition of Indigenous rights and traditional ecological knowledge in environmental decision-making
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