Summary, part 3

Chapter Five — People + Planet

“[E]ven the tiniest of our actions, like what we eat or buy, have a ripple effect on the world around us” (p. 112)

—Leah Thomas

Fashion

Fast fashion is the phenomenon where the fashion industry has sped up the manufacturing and shipping of clothing to keep up with consumer demand. They sell clothes at cheaper prices and rotate clothes off the rack more frequently in stores to increase demand. Clothes used to be bought on an as-needed basis, but now it is to stay on trend. This has led to a disregard for clothing, which has led to more waste in landfills. Additionally, shopping addictions are more prevalent, furthering this phenomenon. Fast fashion is responsible for the high amount of emissions, waste, and harm created by the apparel industry. In 2015, for example, the world consumed 400 times more clothing than it did in 1995. Additionally, Americans throw away 13 million tons of textiles each year. 

It would be remiss not to address the human and civil rights violations that occur in the garment industry. Forced child labor and slavery is prevalent, as is the largely female workforce feeling unsafe or uncomfortable at work, and experiencing intimidation, threats, and harassment.

Slow fashion, which reflects the true cost of clothing produced in ways that minimize harm to people and the planet, is the alternative. That said, an intersectional environmentalist can’t not look at the steep financial barrier to entry to buying sustainably, the lack of inclusive sizing, and the gentrification of thrifting—when richer and richer folk begin to buy in thrift stores, thus raising the prices for low-income families.

Green Energy

Renewable energy, also known as green energy, is natural and renewable resources dependent on replenishing sources like the sun and wind. Green energy is a popular alternative to nonrenewable energy, which is destructive during extraction, displaces people, pollutes emissions, and improperly disposes of waste into ecosystems. By 2025, green energy is forecasted to supply ⅓ of global energy needs and governments are aggressively pursuing this, but Indigenous communities worldwide are facing the “dark side of green energy: a lack of regard for their communities, their lack of inclusion within decision-making processes, and the constant threat of violence” (p. 120). 

There is a concerning rise of human rights violations in the green energy business. For example, a 25-megawatt biomass energy project in Ban Khu Thailand raised concerns over its proximity to schools and impact on health. Despite this, it started operating in 2020 and people nearby reported “strange smells, skin rashes, and a shortage of water” (p. 121). Green energy must include the full consent of the surrounding community.

Another example of this is lithium mining in South America. Lithium is essential for rechargeable batteries, which are essential for green technologies like electric cars. Demand for lithium is increasing, with production needing to increase 500% by 2050 to keep up with demand for green technology. 70% of lithium is in South America, Indigenous lands, specifically in Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile (also known as the lithium triangle). In Chile, there is a conflict between the Lickanantaí people and mining corporations that dates back decades. There have been complaints about water scarcity and unauthorized water withdrawals, as well as damaged ecosystems. Thomas writes that “corporations aren’t investing enough funds and resources in the surrounding communities” (p. 123). She goes on to say that Indigenous people should receive more “employment opportunities, improved infrastructure, and compensation and be granted a seat at the table in decision-making processes” (p. 123).

A final example of this is green energy in Mexico, where there is such a strong push for renewable energy the government invested $6 billion in 2017 (810% more than it did the year before). There is a wind project in Oaxaca that has been opposed by the people since 1994, but it is still ongoing. In 2020, activists demonstrated against the project, and 15 were murdered and even more were injured. In 2006, a 369-megawatt solar project was planned. Research suggested it would threaten biodiversity and instigate social conflict, but the government went through with it anyway. This led to more and more activism from Indigenous communities and the formation of the People’s Assembly of Álvaro Obergón to block some projects. Thomas writes that “[t]he global transition to green energy should not come at the expense of the safety of Indigenous peoples” (p. 125). She goes on to say that “[w]e don’t have to choose between justice for people and the planet” (p. 126).

Veganism/Plant-Based Living

If people went vegan, we could each reduce our carbon footprint by 73%. Veganism is becoming more mainstream, and many (but not all people) do it for environmental reasons, but there is a lack of representation in vegan/plant-based living spaces. Current representation does not reflect reality. Communities of color have been practicing plant-based living for centuries and the most vegetarians per capita are in India, Mexico, Brazil, and Taiwan—⅗ of the full list are in the Global South. Yet, the top 30 vegan documentaries have a white narrator or primarily white cast, presenting veganism as new even though it dates back to ancient India. Thomas writes that “[i]nstead of rebranding solutions from a Western perspective, environmentalists should seek to amplify the cultural practices of BIPOC communities globally and also give them credit for inspiring the ideas for what modern veganism and vegetarianism look like in the first place” (p. 131).