Urban Cascadia and the Pursuit of Environmental Justice

Environmental justice groups in Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver demand a more thorough cleanup of the Willamette River, assert tribal sovereignty and treaty rights to fish, and demand Amazon pay to address the affordability crisis. Urban Cascadia is a bioregion with progressive ambitions, but legacies of settler colonialism and environmental inequalities contradict these ambitions. This edited volume examines these contradictions to understand the capitalist urbanization of nature, create social and environmental inequalities, and fight for social and environmental justice.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 26 October 2021
Publisher: University of Washington Press

Environmental justice groups in Portland's harbor are pushing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a more thorough cleanup of the Willamette River. Meanwhile, near Olympia, the Puyallup tribe is asserting its tribal sovereignty and treaty rights to fish. In Seattle, housing activists are demanding that Amazon pay for addressing the affordability crisis it helped create. Urban Cascadia, a bioregion encompassing Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, is known for its progressive ambitions and forward-thinking green urbanism. However, legacies of settler colonialism and environmental inequalities challenge these aspirations.

In this edited volume, scholars from various fields examine these contradictions to understand better the capitalist urbanization of nature, the creation of social and environmental inequalities, and the movements fighting for social and environmental justice. The book does not present a narrative of green disillusionment or green boosterism but rather reveals how the region can address broader issues of environmental justice, Indigenous sovereignty, and the politics of environmental change.

The chapters in this volume explore various themes, including the historical roots of settler colonialism and environmental inequalities, the impacts of urbanization on nature and communities, and the strategies employed by social and environmental justice movements. The authors analyze the challenges and opportunities faced by urban areas in pursuing sustainable development, and they offer insights into the ways in which these movements are shaping the future of urban environments.

One of the key themes of the book is the relationship between environmental justice and Indigenous sovereignty. The chapters highlight the historical and ongoing struggles of Indigenous peoples to protect their lands, resources, and cultural practices from exploitation and degradation. The authors argue that the pursuit of environmental justice must be inclusive of Indigenous perspectives and that Indigenous sovereignty must be recognized and respected in order to achieve sustainable development.

Another important theme is the role of corporations in shaping urban environments and contributing to environmental inequalities. The chapters examine the practices of Amazon, Microsoft, and other tech companies in the region and their impact on housing, transportation, and the environment. The authors argue that these corporations must be held accountable for their actions and that they must adopt more sustainable and socially responsible practices.

The book also explores the challenges and opportunities presented by urban green spaces and the role of community-based organizations in promoting environmental justice. The chapters showcase the efforts of community gardens, urban farms, and other green spaces to provide access to fresh food, promote healthy living, and create community spaces. The authors argue that these spaces can be powerful tools for building social and environmental resilience and for promoting equity and inclusion.

In conclusion, Urban Cascadia and the Pursuit of Environmental Justice offers a critical examination of the contradictions and challenges facing urban areas in the pursuit of environmental justice. The book provides valuable insights into the historical roots of settler colonialism and environmental inequalities, the impacts of urbanization on nature and communities, and the strategies employed by social and environmental justice movements. By highlighting the relationship between environmental justice, Indigenous sovereignty, and the politics of environmental change, the book offers a roadmap for building more sustainable and equitable urban environments.

Weight: 528g
Dimension: 159 x 238 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780295749358