These communities face unique challenges as their livelihoods and well-being are closely tied to the environment, making them highly vulnerable to issues such as deforestation, water and air pollution, and land dispossession.
"Environmentalism of the poor" connects environmental concerns with social justice, highlighting the idea that environmental degradation and resource exploitation often lead to "ecological distribution conflicts."
These conflicts arise when the benefits and burdens of environmental resources are unequally distributed, typically disadvantaging the poor. For instance, movements like the Chipko movement in India, where villagers, particularly women, resisted deforestation by hugging trees, or the struggles of indigenous people in Brazil against agribusiness encroachment, are emblematic of such conflicts.
By bringing attention to these issues, "environmentalism of the poor" challenges the notion that environmentalism is an elitist pursuit. It calls for a more inclusive and equitable approach to environmental conservation, one that takes into account the complex interplay between poverty, inequality, and environmental issues.
This perspective seeks to ensure that environmental policies and actions also address the needs and rights of vulnerable populations, leading to a more just and sustainable future for all.