Day 13

Cities are bustling cultural centers, each with unique food, history, music, people, architecture, and energy. Urban layouts themselves also tell stories that are key parts of the cultural experience.

Urban areas often lack green spaces entirely, or certain populations don’t have access to those that exist, especially BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities. But before we dive into the challenges that stem from this phenomenon, it’s important to understand the history behind the issues. What got us here in the first place?

Around the world, governments manipulate zoning in ways that perpetuate racial and economic inequity. In the United States, beginning in the 1930s, the Federal Housing Authority created maps that separated communities along racial lines, a process known as redlining. To see a visual representation, check out this interactive map. Redlined communities were systematically denied government support, which left them vulnerable to industrial development and the pollution that came with it. 

These communities were also excluded from access to green space. A limited number of trees is a major problem for the economic value, safety, and livability of a neighborhood. The lack of trees and green space creates a phenomenon known as urban heat islands, which places BIPOC communities at a higher risk of heat-related death. Redlining and urban heat islands are a major environmental justice and public health crises.

Planting trees may seem like a simple solution to urban inequity, but doing so goes hand-in-hand with gentrification, a process wherein wealthier people buy properties in lower-income areas and displace low-income residents. By adding parks to an area with little to no green space, real estate prices can rise, driving out low-income residents. How do we provide greenery for communities that need it without forcing them out of their homes? Creating a balance of greenery and affordability is a critical task in urban planning and an increasingly city-centric future. 

But what can you do right now? Say “yes in my backyard!” This phrase has arisen recently in response to the NIMBY (“not in my backyard”) movement, which has gained traction within wealthy, greenery-rich, predominantly white communities to block affordable housing projects in their neighborhoods. NIMBYism has largely resulted in housing injustice and modern segregation, so it’s important to use our voices to combat this by calling on local officials to push for justice in city planning. Remember, you have power in your government! Don’t be afraid to attend a city council meeting and tell community leaders that you support affordable housing and equitable access to green space. \\

Your voice isn’t the only way for you to get involved! Consider volunteering with urban greening organizations like the P-Patch program in Seattle, a local community garden initiative where people can sign up for a plot of land and grow whatever they’d like. Recently, community gardens have become a central part of the movement to bring ecological justice to cities and residents who lack access to green space or the land needed to establish a garden. At the same time, community gardens like the Ron Finley Project address food justice by providing land for people to grow fruits and vegetables, increasing access to fresh foods. 

The Right Green is another great organization that focuses on greening using native species. Founded in 2018 by youth activist Aadya Joshi, this organization was conceived after she had seen the enormous benefits of transforming an essential garbage dump into a flourishing green space full of native flora in her own community of Mumbai.

Other organizations like the Baltimore Tree Trust are working to end tree inequity by planting trees throughout redlined neighborhoods, and talking with residents to learn their ecological needs and how to effectively address them. Grassroots work is critical to the success of urban greening efforts, as the people living in tree-scarce neighborhoods are the ones who can best speak to what those neighborhoods actually need. City officials must be involved, as they have the bureaucratic power to allow projects to move forward, but the voices of residents are equally important in the discussion and work. Our partner, Nature’s Path, is committed to being an environmental steward and green business leader for the benefit of all communities and nature itself. Our partner, Going Green Media, visited some of the greenest cities and greenest buildings to share solutions being developed around the world. There are countless amazing organizations in the urban greening effort; are there any near you? See how you can make your town or city even a little more eco-friendly, green and equitable!

Each Greener Winner Will Receive:

• Packing Cube Quad (made from 16 upcycled water bottles) from Paravel, where sustainability is at the core of every decision and they fight against climate change by focusing on three key issues: reducing and offsetting carbon emissions, incorporating upcycled and eco-certified materials throughout every product detail, and planting trees in depleted ecosystems. They intend to be the first 100% sustainable travel brand by the end of 2021.
• $50 gift card to Boodywear, a B Corp specializing in super soft, comfy, breathable and sustainable everyday essentials thoughtfully crafted from bamboo viscose, for all sizes. Their focus is on simple designs, eco-friendly materials and sustainable manufacturing. Their materials are Oeko-Tex, FSC, PETA Vegan Approved, and Ecocert certified.
• Selection of products from our partner, Acure Organics. Acure sources the highest quality ingredients for your skin. No parabens, sulfates, formaldehyde, paraffin, mineral oil or animal testing allowed!

Each Greenest winner will receive:

• Laundry kit (laundry powder, stain remover stick, and oxygen powder) from Meliora, a B Corp and member of 1% for the Planet and Women’s Voices for the Earth, whose cleaning products are MADE SAFE certified. Their products are ​​people friendly, planet friendly and truly work. 
• The Guppyfriend Washing Bag makes the microplastic problem visible, communicates it, and makes it tangible for every household. With every wash, tiny plastic fibers from our textiles find their way from washing machines into the wastewater, polluting rivers, lakes, oceans, and soils on an unimaginable scale. Using this bag reduces fiber shedding and extends the life of your garments. It also filters the few synthetic fibers that do break off, so that you throw the particles in the trash rather than allow them to go from washing machines into rivers and oceans.
• Pure New Zealand wool dryer balls + organic lavender essential oil from Grove Collective, a B Corp who believes the products that clean our countertops, clothes, and selves shouldn’t spoil the earth or our health. The balls are handmade in Nepal from pure New Zealand wool and unlike dryer sheets and fabric softeners, these are reusable and hypoallergenic.