Path of Inquiry
I spent the last year and a half researching how people use the natural environment for recreation. In particular I participated with and interviewed cavers (people who explore caves) here in the northeast U.S. During this research I noticed how cavers constructed social networks in order to gain access to a particularly nice resource (an impressive cave). This led me to think about larger social groups and how we use and think about the natural environment.
As I began to think about how we use and are influenced by the natural environment I realized how many people are affected by the mismanagement of our environments (natural as well as social). I thus began to turn my research towards environmental justice . In my graduate program I have read and discussed with some professors about tying research into planning and policy. But, it seems frustrating and confusing to find a path where research and activism can actually penetrate planning decisions.
In my graduate program, many of us work within a framework of social constructionism. I often wonder how city planners and policy makers are a part of and construct a system in which everyone can live, work, play and benefit socio-economically.
I tied these ideas together, environmental planning and social justice, with my interest in how we use the natural environment as a non-economic resource. This is the path which led me to environmental justice.
Filed under: natural landscape, social justice, environmental planning on January 13th, 2008
This sounds very smart and exciting. In my experience of the term ‘environmental justice,’ it has mostly been used around racial inequities. Has that changed over the years? Are you examining issues of race–and other identity politics–in your work? Otherwise, I find that academics such as geographers tend to discuss issues of political economy when not digging into the identity aspects of the site/issue. I believe your work fits both. Have you investigated issues around political economies of nature fit in your work? And, since I may be using definitions that are quite old, could you explain both to us and give us some examples from your own work when you have a chance? Kudos on your exciting blog!