Environmentalism is trendy. Reusable straws, mason jar cups, and aesthetic tote bags have become the face of environmentalism in the 21st century. The truth is, environmentalism is more than just what’s trending on Pinterest. These messages often do not include the contributions and traditional practices of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color).
When asked about how cultural norms about wastefulness in America and India differ, Sandeep Tungare, CEO of Vistaar Technology and hobbyist gardener, thinks about his mother and grandmother’s puja, the ceremonial worship of Hindu gods through flower offerings. “In the cities where we live, these [offerings] would come in little leaves with flowers in them, tied up with string...You’d open the packet up, you’d use the flowers, and do your puja for God. Even the string that it came with would be turned into a wick for later. The cotton would be saved—everything had a utility value. You grew up seeing that and have this concept of ‘how do I not waste whatever came into your possession?’”
Sandeep’s family’s thriftiness surrounding the puja perfectly fits the values of sustainability. So why do we not hear about practices like Sandeep’s? Why are these approaches not at the forefront of zero waste and environmental justice movements? Because affluent, white Americans are often positioned as the poster-children for sustainability. As a result, the everyday practices of the APA community are unknown or undervalued ways of conserving.
“Because affluent, white Americans are often positioned as the poster-children for sustainability. As a result, the everyday practices of the APA community are unknown or undervalued ways of conserving.”
What else does APA energy conservation look like? Behold the underside of the kitchen sink, where our mothers collect plastic bags (also in another plastic bag). Opening windows because the outdoor breeze feels just like the AC (without the high electricity bill). Reusing rice water in our gardens. And last, but not least, turning off every. Single. Light. While these practices have been passed on for generations — many carried over from our grandparents’ countries of origin — they are largely absent from mainstream environmentalism campaigns.
Simply put, successfully addressing the climate crisis requires diversity! Not just because diversity increases creativity and innovation, but because BIPOC are significantly more concerned about climate change than white people. A 2020 study by the Yale School of Environment found that Latinxs (69%) and Black people (57%) care more about global warming than white people (49%). In the 2012 National Asian American Survey, “70% of Asian Americans self-identify as environmentalists” compared to the U.S. average of 41%. Despite significant BIPOC concern, there is a disproportionate lack of representation in environmental NGOs. The most recent survey of environmental NGOs showed that no more than 16% of employees in these organizations were BIPOC, with only 12% in leadership positions. This disparity in interest and representation helps explain our missing voices, stories, and cultural practices in the wider environmental movement.
This lack of BIPOC representation in the environmental movements is especially concerning considering environmental health hazards disproportionately burden BIPOC communities in California. For example, one 2014 study found that Korean and Japanese women faced substantially more exposure to carcinogens in their neighborhoods compared to white women. Another study in 2019 found that Latinx, Black, and Asian Community breathe in more tailpipe pollution than other demographics in the state. As the 2030 deadline for reducing California’s greenhouse gas emissions and use of fossil fuels quickly approaches, it’s vital that we start diversifying what energy conservation and leadership looks like. It’s important to place BIPOC at the forefront of these movements not only because we have been practicing sustainability and conservation for generations, but also because our communities will be impacted first and the worst by climate change.
Although individual, everyday decisions and practices do make a collective impact, we must also recognize how a majority of global emissions are from companies. In California, large corporations are the largest polluters in the state. Therefore, both individual actions and political actions are equally important in protecting our air, land and water. Supporting legislation holding these companies accountable, voting for a candidate with a strong environmental record, and participating in environmental organizations are integral for sustainable change.
Translating his conservation ethos, Tungare has taken his environmental advocacy to the next level by partnering with NGOs in India to enact large-scale sustainability projects. “We have our own foundation, Think Foundation, that has worked with a few foundations in India...In Mumbai, we collected all the material from the wet markets and vegetable markets to compost it. For the city of Mumbai, that’s huge!”
Of course, not everyone has the same opportunity to dive straight into large-scale environmental advocacy, but participating and following environmental organizations is a fantastic gateway into further sustainable change!! We recommend following and participating in environmental activist organizations such as those listed below:
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
Intersectional Environmentalist
Asian Pacific Environment Network
With the growing trendiness of energy conservation and sustainability movements, remember that environmentalism has always been an integral practice in our households, just without the glamorous labels. At the end of the day, our individual acts of conservation as APAs are valid — whether it be our vigilance around turning off lights, keeping the A/C off, or reusing old containers of all kinds. Let’s recognize and celebrate our conservation experiences, knowledge, and history. Let’s acknowledge that our voices matter, and let’s make them heard. The fight for environmental justice is ongoing and affects us all. Therefore, it should include us all.
At the end of our interview, Sandeep showed us a picture of his backyard greenhouse. Built with his own two hands, the greenhouse allows Sandeep and his family to grow fruits and vegetables from India. He says that for his wife, “the biggest thing about the greenhouse is that every morning — even if there’s snow on the ground — she [can] put on her boots, go to the greenhouse, get fresh flowers, and come back and do her puja at home.”
This piece is written by Emily Lam, Lena Rhie, Patrick Fang, and Shanahan Europa as part of the 2021 CAUSE Leadership Academy program.
The CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA), is a nine-week paid internship program for college undergraduates that prepares the next generation to lead and represent the Asian Pacific American (APA) community. Founded in 1991 as the California Asian American Student Internship Coalition (CASIC), CLA’s goal is to develop a pipeline of civic leadership for the APA community. Graduates of this program have gone on to run for political office and become leaders in politics, business, and nonprofits.
Read more about this year’s Leadership Academy cohort here.