Disturbed is the closest word I can use to describe how I felt as I more deeply analyzed the implications of an Environmental Leadership article the Earth Lodgers were assigned a few weeks ago. It identifies the three characteristics an Environmental Leader should exhibit: power, knowledge, and passion. I feel like this entire semester, we have been the privileged, unique individuals who were able to get the immersion experience required to kick-start environmental leadership. However when I looked at one specific diagram from the article (below) it shows politicians as high in power and scientists high in knowledge. Why are politicians and scientists the only ones with power and knowledge? Why are politicians themselves not high in both categories according to the diagram? Also, the diagram shows that passionate politicians and scientists lead to an informed and empowered public. Can we not have an informed and empowered public without scientists and politicians? How can we improve the ways things work so that the public can find independence and become environmental leaders? How can we free individuals from dependence on the few people in privileged positions of knowledge and power? Upon first glance, the environmental leader reading was inspiring to me. However, upon further examination, I’m not so sure.
Power is for politicians. Knowledge is for nerds.
The first issue the article raised was separating scientists from power and politicians from knowledge. This is a problem I have seen in society for my entire life. At one science lecture I asked how much the President is advised by the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Under George W. Bush, allegedly 0 minutes of his entire term were spent discussing things with this knowledgeable, “powerful” environmental leader. However, Barack Obama at least nominated someone (from my hometown no less) to be the assistant administrator for the scientific research arm for the EPA, a position that left vacant for 9 months. The fact that we barely know the names of scientists and environmental scientists at that provides evidence that the most knowledgeable people in terms of the science behind environmental issues have limited power without politicians and/or the President himself. This issue with science/knowledge lacking power and influence has plagued me to the point that I have considered running for office someday. I think there needs to be a revolution in politics where people from various backgrounds have political power. If some scientists could be involved in the conversation, politicians would have immediate access to new knowledge rather than having to consult scientists later. Setting up a system of direct, diversified collaboration would be a huge improvement over the current system.
Besides the issue of scientific experts and politicians establishing a more effective system for change, there is the issue of developing citizens into informed and empowered beings with or without the political system and/or full expertise. I believe online tools such as the runoff calculator help people manage their personal environment at home. It gives suggestions such as rain gardens and barrels in addition to reducing impervious surface area to reduce the runoff a certain property generates. Another online tool that develops individuals into environmental leaders themselves is the Chesapeake Conservancy Prioritization Tool. It allows people to rate areas based on historical and cultural resources, habitat, and ecology and how important these categories are to them. This teaches people which parts of an ecosystem most provide what they are interested and also shows that each individual’s opinion can make an impact. However it requires an intimate knowledge of the landscape from the outset. Also, these tools are not things the average citizen would search for on their Internet escapades.
Getting outside consistently throughout a lifetime is the first step in maintaining environmental autonomy. Experiencing the outdoors allows people to view and interact with the environment in several meaningful ways. Over this semester alone I have viewed watersheds from planes and from a bird’s eye window view on my way to Boston, from my reflection spot, and most importantly from volunteering. Environmental leaders can help facilitate these community interactions with the environment. For example, Ralph White mobilizes volunteers, which my classmate, Garrett, mentions in his blog “Building an Empire.” Garrett mentions White’s quote that, “Volunteers made this park,” in reference to the James River Park System. Not only do these activities and experiences increase knowledge of the environment, but they cultivate passion as well. In this way, the existing environmental leaders do have some small power by others to become educated and passionate about their environments, thereby cultivating future environmental leaders.
Education on the environment throughout a person’s life must follow or the knowledge is not cultivated in a way that can be seriously applied to make change and become a leadership on one’s own terms. As I mentioned in my article “Trip to Maymont” education about the environment is stopped too early. Developing knowledge in not only the science behind environmental issues, but also explaining the politics involved will allow for people to find out how to make changes themselves. I was lucky enough to have a father in County Recycling as a child, so I was able to ask him for the right contacts to enact a change in my community. I talked to local politicians and the local Chamber of Commerce in order to get one street in the center of my community lined with recycling bins (bottom of the hyperlinked page).http://www.towsonchamber.com/documents/JulyNewsletter.pdf If every student were required to speak to local politicians and organizations from an early age, they would learn to understand the processes currently involved in making changes on a local level to their environment. However, they would still have to go through the typical political system to legally get these changes made. Hopefully with knowledge/experience and passion developed on their own, the public can learn to navigate the power system of our government.
Overall, the Environmental Leadership article led me to question the ways we can develop and envision future environmental leadership. In my opinion, science and politics should directly overlap to improve policy decisions especially as they relate to the environment. In addition, I believe early and continued education is necessary in order to provide the public with knowledge and passion for the environment. In addition, if people are equipped with the knowledge of how to navigate politics and gain access to politicians, they can direct their knowledge and passion towards environmentally positive outcomes. Earth Lodgers and others who have had access to this amazing, and unfortunately rare training need to step up. We are ready to be and need to lead the next generation!