A change of view on Environmental Justice

When many of us think about environmental justice we think about the common perception and definition which extends to the fair treatment of all people and how we relate to the environment and how any changes to it affect us.

Now my perception to this definition has changed. While working on an environmental justice project with an amazing indigenous youth, my first question to her was, "what does environmental justice means to you?" she said, "to me, environmental justice means that the earth has rights too", her response made me stop and think and i said to her "you are totally right".

As I continued to reflect I could not help but think on how we live in a human centered world, how many times we ignore all other living things or how we just don't see them as a priority before us. The reality is that the Earth and all living things have rights, and by us honouring their rights we would honour our own. If we don't take care of the soil, water, animals, plants, and all other living beings humanity would cease to exist.

Take a look at the youth led video project created and learn about what environmental justice means to these indigenous youth.