Researcher calls for intersection of environmentalism, feminism

Skye Wheeler wrote about connection of pollution with reproductive justice

(Skye Wheeler, Senior Researcher, women’s rights division, Human Rights Watch)

Liberals have spoken about how many things intersect with feminism. One of the more intriguing intersections is that between reproductive and environmental justice. 

Last month, Human Rights Watch published an editorial on its website that called for people to combine the fight for reproductive rights with that against climate change. The author, Skye Wheeler, spoke to Repro Rights Now about her essay. 

“You've got to understand that it's the same communities that are marginalized by racism, by poverty that doesn't get equal opportunity to a good education,” Wheeler said. “It's the same populations experiencing the worst air quality in many US towns that are also now experiencing more extreme heat than other neighborhoods.” 

Air pollution is linked to premature birth, low birth weight and stillbirth. One of the examples Wheeler cited was the situation in Pittsburgh, where I live. I happen to drive Uber daily and most of my time on the road is in the Black neighborhoods. They’re located near steel mills, and when I drive through them, I can sometimes feel the difficulty breathing. I cough more in those parts. 

I’ve also seen the intersection with other challenges unique to the Black community, like food insecurity and transportation barriers. Half of the black population in Pittsburgh is on food stamps, according to reporting I’ve done. And much of it doesn’t have access to a car and they have to use services like Uber to get food from the grocery store to their refrigerators if they even have one. I’ve been outspoken here as an advocate for light-rail and subway systems to reduce the amount of money spent by poor people on transportation–possibly lifting them out of poverty and off welfare rolls because we invested in that infrastructure. That’s also connected to fighting climate change because it would reduce our carbon footprint. 

Wheeler wants to see an intersectional approach to the climate crisis. She feels the Environmental Protection Agency should funnel some of its funding toward reproductive care. 

“They can provide them with support information, and can help build solidarity and activism around the links between reproductive health and the environment,” Wheeler said.