Environmental Justice at Western

Pushing Painful Problems onto the Powerless: The Concept of Not in My Backyard

By Clara, Jordan, and Joe Most quarters, a group of students at WWU gathers to discuss a recent book or set of podcasts about environmental justice. This post reflects our discussion of Cathrine Flowers’: Waste: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret, in Spring 2022. The concept of “not in my backyard” stems from peoples’…

How “Waste: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret”, by Catherine Flowers, Sets an Example of Experiential Learning

By Eukia, Katie, Mia, and Sarah Most quarters, a group of students at WWU gathers to discuss a recent book or set of podcasts about environmental justice. This post reflects our discussion of Cathrine Flowers’: Waste: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret, in Spring 2022. “Experiential Learning is the process of learning by doing….

If You Can’t Bring People to the Groceries, Bring Groceries to the People

By Lily, Jacob, Jessi In our discussion as a class on the East Whatcom Food Landscape Assessment, we generated many new ideas for projects combating food insecurity in the rural communities of East Whatcom County. These ideas ranged from policy incentives, such as subsidies, to bring grocery stores into these communities, to pop-up food stands…

Resurgence: Opportunities for Growth in Nature and Humanity

By Emily, Audrey, Vivienne, and Cami Most quarters, a group of students at WWU gathers to discuss a recent book or set of podcasts about environmental justice. This post reflects our discussion of Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing’s: The Mushroom at the End of the World: On the Possibility of Life in Capitalist Ruins in Winter 2021….

Freedom and Survival: Foraging for Matsutake and Housing

by Jade, Kyto, Lucy, Kay Most quarters, a group of students at WWU gathers to discuss a recent book or set of podcasts about environmental justice. This post reflects our discussion of Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing’s: The Mushroom at the End of the World: On the Possibility of Life in Capitalist Ruins in Winter 2021. Our…

Main Takeaways from A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety (By Sarah Jaquette Ray)

By Rebecca and Allie Each quarter, a group of students, faculty, and staff at WWU convene an environmental justice reading group to read and discuss recent texts. In Fall 2020 the group read Sarah Jaquette Ray’s A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety. This post reflects and extends our discussion. As we come to conclude, A…

Mushroom Mutualism & Community Care During Crises

By Sophia, Yeshaia, Matt, & Natalie Most quarters, a group of students at WWU gathers to discuss a recent book or set of podcasts about environmental justice. This post reflects our discussion of Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing’s The Mushroom at the End of the World: On the Possibility of Life in Capitalist Ruins in Winter 2021. …

Disturbances Rooted Within Our Landscapes 

By Mara, Marina, Heidi, and Nova Most quarters, a group of students at WWU gathers to discuss a recent book or set of podcasts about environmental justice. This post reflects our discussion of Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing’s The Mushroom at the End of the World: On the Possibility of Life in Capitalist Ruins in Winter 2021. …

Environmental Justice Close to Home

By Allison, Matt, and Sydne Each quarter, a group of students, faculty, and staff at WWU join together to read and discuss recent environmental justice texts. In Spring 2021, the group is reading Harriet A. Washington’s A Terrible Thing to Waste. This post reflects and extends our discussion. This quarter, while reading A Terrible Thing…

Possible Actions to Fight Against Environmental Toxins and Racism

By Camryn, Julia, and Shelby Each quarter, a group of students, faculty, and staff at WWU join together to read and discuss recent environmental justice texts. In Spring 2021, the group is reading Harriet A. Washington’s A Terrible Thing to Waste. This post reflects and extends our discussion. To finish off the book, our group…