Title: Ecological justice is social justice too | UCSB Sustainability
Headings: Ecological justice is social justice too
Ecological justice is social justice too
Dylan Ruan, Living Lab Intern, UCSB Sustainability

Content: That gives us a platform, history, and foundation.” Academics need to step out into the community to make their voices heard and give compelling arguments that inspire people to create social change. “ Journalists and political operatives motivate people. That’s their job,” David said. “ But I think it should also be our job as academics to motivate people.” Academics often feel pressured to remain impartial, data-driven, and objective. David, however, believes that they can participate in community conversations, make arguments for change, and act in roles usually reserved for activists without losing the merit of being an academic. The environmental justice movement–and certainly the environmental movement as a whole would benefit from researchers of all disciplines coming forward to discuss issues concerning the planet. David argues that although great strides towards a cleaner planet have been made in the past through laws such as the superfund and Endangered Species Act, the environmental movement as a whole has failed to live up to its purpose in a social sense. Taking an environmental justice approach to tackling issues requires us to examine how we structure the movement and whose voices are heard in its chorus.