My friend group is small and close-knit. Many of which I have been friends with since college. Some of them also happen to have a disability, be it visible or invisible. In fact, one of my friends, Professor Dani Lucchese, has an MA in disability studies. We’ve had a lot of interesting discussions about the lack of disability inclusion in the sustainability sphere. In the past we’ve done an IG live together on the subject, and I’ve also spoken to their students about disability x sustainability. All this to say – this is a topic that absolutely deserves a space on this blog. Unfortunately, there is an unprecedented amount of eco-ableism in this niche. And I really want to open a dialogue that changes that.
What Is Eco-Ableism? + 2 Big Ways to Counteract It
What is eco-ableism?
First off, lets define this term. Eco-ableism is the discrimination of disabled people in favor of climate actions that make life difficult for disabled people.
For example, for many people with disabilities, plastic straws are needed to function. Metal or glass straws pose an injury risk; Paper straws dissolve in the mouth; silicone doesn’t bend properly (especially for lying down positions); acrylic, pasta, biodegradable and bamboo straws are an allergy/injury risk.
For even more reasons on why reusable/sustainable straws available now aren’t viable options, check out this incredible YouTube video below.
Truth is, zero waste (and many other facets of sustainable living) isn’t very accessible to people with disabilities. A lot of the lifestyle products we’re encouraged to buy (reusable straws, reusable cutlery, etc.) aren’t made with disabled people in mind.
Another example of this is EVs- many disabled drivers can’t use electric car chargers. But it doesn’t have to be this way – if EV manufacturers take people with disabilities into consideration during their design process, it’s an easy fix.
People with disabilities care about the environment too. But a lot of climate policy in place does not factor in people with disabilities. And the failure to consider their needs can be a matter of life or death – like evacuating from hurricanes and flood waters.
And often times, people who mean well and want the best for our planet will shame those who cannot meet their environmental standards. But how is that the solution when we should instead be putting pressure on companies and government to make sustainability accessible for all?
Lets be clear – shaming someone for using a single-use plastic straw, water bottle, or fork is not cool. Nor is it going to bring about the change you want it to.
Disability in the eco sphere
Earlier, I mentioned that there isn’t much talk about disability in the sustainability movement. The irony is that anyone can become disabled at any point or time, be it via old age, or a complete accident. That’s one major reason we need to consider people with disabilities in the climate space.
Disability is not a dirty word, nor should it be stigmatized. But dialogue around disability matters, because it helps mold our perception of it. And this can be for the good – or the bad.
For example, within most Native American culture, there is no specific word for disabled. In fact, in some tribes, people with disabilities are viewed as gifted and differently-abled. As long as you could contribute to the tribe, in any way shape or form, it didn’t matter if you were missing a limb, blind, deaf, had a limp, etc.
I think this is powerful because it emphasizes one thing. People with disabilities are just that: people. Not poster children, or “inspirational” – but humans. And it’s up to society to adapt, not the other way around.
And FYI, the reason I mention Native Americans is because indigenous communities safeguard 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity. Indigenous people play a huge role in our fight against climate change, so listening to their intersectional perspectives can help us move forward.
What’s the solution?
In general, we should be focusing less on single-use plastic that people with disabilities need to function/live until there are viable and accessible options in place.
Instead, we should shift our focus on useless single-use plastic that DOESN’T aid someone’s life – like plastic glitter, balloons, produce stickers, etc.
put pressure on big polluters
And, we should be putting the pressure more on big polluters! Did you know PepsiCo, Nestlé and Danone are among the top plastic polluters in the world? Instead of arguing amongst ourselves (which is what these giant companies would prefer), we need to be banning together to fight them.
We can do this by signing petitions, attending climate marches, and joining local environmental non-profits that share our visions for a better, more inclusive world.
FYI, one of the biggest things we can do to help the planet isn’t ditching plastic straws. It’s divesting from fossil fuels! Aka, taking our money out of banks that ACTIVELY support Big Oil.
Here are the big bad four:
- JP Morgan Chase
- Citibank
- Wells Fargo
- Bank of America
According to the Banking on Climate report, these banks have invested the most money in fossil fuels, and JP Morgan Chase leading the way at $317 billion.
If you have your money with these banks, I highly recommend taking it out. Put it with a local credit union or put it into one of these sustainable banks.
So before you get mad at someone needing a plastic straw to function, please look at the bigger picture. There are more pressing matters at foot.
amplifying voices
Last but certainly not least, we need to make this space WAY more inclusive. In general, we should be holding space for people with disabilities in the environmental sphere.
Listening to and amplifying these voices is imperative if we want to create a more inclusive movement going forward. Instead of us telling them “you should do XYZ to be sustainable” how about we ask them how to make sustainability more accessible? What would an inclusive and accessible future look like? We won’t know if we don’t try to get there together.
There are some truly amazing organizations out there worth checking out. I recommend browsing the Intersectional Environmentalist database under the topic of disabled identity – you will find so many organizations making a difference, like Disabled Hikers.
Also, consider reading some books written by people with disabilities! Opening your perspective to someone else’s lived experiences is powerful.
What are your thoughts on countering eco-ableism? Let me know in the comments! Lets start a dialogue.
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