Month: April 2023

Two weeks ago I set a few goals; one was to work more on my shark page and reignite that passion again. The other was to try and be as plastic free as possible. As ecofeminists we have learned how connected all things are to each other. A. E. Kings states, “the tools of intersectionality to help illuminate the interconnectedness of race, class, gender, disability, sexuality, caste, religion, age and the effects which these can have (in their many and uniquely constituted forms) on the discrimination, oppression, and identity of women and the natural environment.” In attempting these goals, I wanted to discover a new part of myself that not only fought for the planet but also felt empowered as a woman as I worked towards achieving them.

Eliminating single-use products and plastics:

I am someone who enjoys wearing makeup. It’s not every day but when

I do, it has to come off at some point, right? I was using single-use cotton pads to remove my makeup but hated how much waste I was creating. After a small amount of research, I discovered that there are reusable makeup pads and they’re made from a blend of bamboo and cotton. When I run out of them, all I have to do is throw them in with my clothes when I do laundry and problem solved! I’ve also switched to using coconut oil to remove my makeup. Buying bottles and containers of designated “makeup remover” feels a bit like a scam to me and they come in plastic containers that are single use. There are so many uses for coconut oil and I can repurpose or recycle the glass jar when it’s empty. 

Another thing I wanted my family to start doing is stop buying plastic bottles. We have a fridge that produces filtered water and perfectly fine tap water from the sink. Over the past two weeks, we haven’t purchased any single use water bottles and have switched to using only refillable bottles or cups. I know it’s small and there’s only three of us but that’s now three people compared to just one. Slowly but surely we’ll switch over to either making our own laundry detergent or buying laundry detergent sheets that come in a biodegradable package. These are small wins, and it was hard at first but we’re spending less money and helping eliminate our plastic footprint.

Shark Activism:

As far as my activism goes, I wasn’t able to fully dedicate the time to it that I wanted. I did make a new post on my Instagram page but I have not been able to continue working on my website to get it back up and running. I’m hoping that once the semester ends, I will be able to make the time for it. The site doesn’t just include information about sharks, but also information about our oceans in general.

Overall, I say I was able meet the goals I set for myself. I hope I will be able to continue them after the semester ends as this isn’t just an assignment for school. It’s something that I need to learn from and continue to apply in my life, not only to better myself but also my impact on the Earth.

In the first post we had for this semester, I had mentioned my online activism for the ocean and specifically sharks. This is something I’ve worked on since 2019. Life has gotten in the way and that’s prohibited me from posting as often. I even created a website but it hasn’t been active for a few months because I haven’t had the time to keep up with it. One of the major issues that people often think of in regard to the upkeep of our oceans is the elimination of plastic. I try to use smaller amounts of plastic but truthfully, it’s difficult. It’s in everything. I also try to avoid anything from plastic bottles or any single-use products. My plan for a while has been to make the transition to more bamboo based products. Bamboo grows twenty times faster than regular trees so it’s more sustainable and ecofriendly.

Here’s an article that explains the importance of using bamboo products, including the benefits and how it’s more eco-friendly.

https://www.ecotradecompany.com/blogs/news/are-bamboo-products-eco-friendly

My goal over the coming weeks is to consciously be aware of the products I use that contain plastic, are single-use, or anything that isn’t eco friendly. If there is something that I absolutely have to use, I plan to do research on if it’s recyclable and local facilities that will accept the material. In addition to this, I want to set aside time again for my shark page. It’s something I am deeply passionate about and it’s been neglected for too long. I think this plan has the potential to work very well. It will be difficult at first, but if I can create strict guidelines for myself I should be able to keep to it further into the future.

As I wrote in my first post, everything is in same way connected. It may seem small,  limiting my plastic usage and switching to more sustainable products, but in the long run it matters. What I do changes what my boyfriend does, and has the potential to impact our coworkers and friends. Something that started with one then changes into a whole group of people. Our imprint on the Earth is something that will last forever and we are responsible for taking care of it.

I know my goals do not directly describe the feminist aspect of “ecofeminism”, but this semester we’ve looked at many examples of environmentalism and how feminism fits into that conversation. I feel comfortable in my choices for this project, as I believe fighting for our oceans also directly fights for women’s rights, even if not directly. In protecting the planet, nurturing her, and keeping her clean, I am finding my place and establishing my role in this conversation.

For anyone interested in learning more about sharks, our oceans, and recent conversations about both, check out my page on Instagram. I’ll be working on it soon and will be more active in the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/all.shark.no.bite/

 

“Environmental protection is not just about talking. It is also about taking action.” – Wangari Maathai

Women have always been seen as the caretakers and nurturers. That is our responsibility. In Africa, women are in charge of tilling, plants, nurturing, and harvesting the food. “They are the first to become aware of environmental damage that harms agricultural production” as they can see it in the faces of their spouses, friends, and children (Maathai). These women depend on their land. The richness of soil, the abundance of rain, the shade provided by trees; all depend on a woman to tend to their needs so their families and communities can survive.

The Green Belt Movement helps with this survival. Founded by Wangari Maathai, “encourag[es] the farmers (70 percent of whom are women) to plant ‘Green Belts’ to stop soil erosion, provide shade, and create a source of lumber and firewood” (Maathai). She is an advocate for the environment, hoping to teach countries all over the world of the importance of our environment. If we take care of the land then the land will take care of us in return. She is also an advocate for women’s rights. Since the Green Belt movement began in 1977, over 15 million trees have been planted.

These environmental wins have also come with many hardships. While speaking up for their needs, women in Africa have been severely abused, violated, and thrown in jail. While raising concern for the environment, these women are also speaking for themselves and their personal rights. Violence is what they get in return. That has not stopped Maathai, as she has accomplished many great things in her life and has never let anything stop her from achieving her goals.

Latin America faces similar environmental issues, as there is an overabundance of pollution. These communities rely on the rivers as a clean source of water, but they have only met devastation. They are unable to grow food, use the water, and children are getting sick. The lack of care for this environment confirms how the women are treated in these communities.

“Daily life for poor women is like a jail, as I said before. A new morning comes. We send children to school…We have nothing to cook…They hope the children have already eaten, but they have not. Night arrives and brings back the men… Often the men eat before returning home or only drink alcohol. The cycle of domestic jail finished today and now women wait to begin again tomorrow, probably with the bad news of a new pregnancy” (Gebara).

The places that have a small amount of care for their environment, the more likely women are going to suffer. When speaking up for their environmental rights in Africa, Maathai was mutilated. In Latin America where women cannot afford food or have access to clean water, they are abused and starve with their children.

Indigenous nations have been persecuted, oppressed, and taken advantage of for too long. Their land has been taken, they have been forced to relocate, and in some instances they have lost their connection to their lands. These “environmental projects” for oils, mines, etc. have pushed the boundaries and have caused generations of harm and violence.