Environmental Activism at the U (and how you can help!)
Gen Z has been referred to as a “generation of activists”, especially when it comes to large-scale issues such as climate change. 37% of American Gen Zers’ top personal concern is addressing climate change, and 32% have taken personal action to help do so. They have specifically embraced individual responsibility when it comes to consumption. Tote bags and metal straws have exploded in popularity, and thrifting has been on the rise for years as an affordable way to develop one’s personal style sustainably. However, recently critics have begun to surface to the forefront of the discussion. Sustainability influencer Marissa of @worthnotwaste points out that the most sustainable option - whether its clothes, straws, bags, or anything else - is what you already have, and that buying a new tote bag, water bottle, or the newest eco-friendly gadget is usually not as effective, despite your good intentions. She points out that most companies marketing their products as sustainable or eco-friendly are still trying to get you to buy more, and more frequently, which is counterproductive and deceitful. Finally, she notes that conversations around individual actions often miss important nuances. For example, the stigma against plastic straws has strengthened exponentially over the past few years, yet few acknowledge that those straws are sometimes necessary for those with disabilities and that not everyone has the privilege or ability to make those normalized, “better” choices.
Activists have also called out the fact that these individualized, low-impact actions shift responsibility from corporations, which contribute to 71% of global greenhouse gases, to individuals, leading to a false sense of change and a lack of accountability for those who have the most impact. They argue that collective action is more impactful, and that such groups often get pushed aside by sustainability trends, especially those groups made up of BIPOC and other marginalized people. One recent example of successful collective action is UMN Climate Strike’s decade-long fight to have the University of Minnesota divest from fossil fuels, which was finalized on September 24th, 2021.
So, if collective action really is the most effective way to create change, how can we as students get involved? I asked Karly Beaumont, a student activist for Resist Line 3, this question. She has been heavily involved in the Line 3 Resistance movement since 2020, when she began interning for MN350, a non-profit organization uniting Minnesotans to fight for clean, sustainable energy. Beaumont’s advice for those looking to get involved is to join a student group, such as Students for Climate Justice, UMN Against Line 3, or MN 350. You can sign up for a mailing list on MN 350's website and get links to Pipeline Resistance Zoom Meetings. “I think something really important to note though, and that not many are aware of, is that Line 3 is basically done with construction and oil is expected to be flowing within the next coming weeks. The organizing around Line 3, therefore, is changing and we're strategizing [to reflect] this extremely tragic reality we're facing.”
“It's always worth giving environmental and collective action a shot simply by attending a meeting. There is no shortage of groups open and ready to onboard new people,” Beaumont said.
These are just a few areas of course - there are many worthy causes in the sustainability world that you could get involved in. But no matter what you get involved in, it’s sure to be impactful.
“It’s easy to be disconnected from such a complex issue when you don’t see it right in front of you,” Beaumont said. “The different spaces created by people who have a shared passion for environmental justice are electric, inviting, and feel safe and inspiring.”