I’ve never cared much about whales, the coral reef, or polar bears. I’m an environmentalist, don’t get me wrong, and I know these are vital environmental issues, but I’m not engaging with them in what I would consider to be a meaningful way. Why? Because the goal of saving the entire planet not only sounds corny, it’s too grand and ambiguous a goal for any measure of success. So, I propose another approach.
As an environmentalist, especially working with the law, there is one realization I have made that is frustrating above all else: the very global focus that we have adopted when addressing environmental issues. Since environmental degradation seems like an inherently global problem (climate change refers to climates after all), it is understandable that we get caught up in a global perspective. But, what about small-scale environmental policy? Granted, food has long been focused on the idea of local, but why not environmentalism in other contexts? In the world of law and policy, “local” is hard to define. So, when thinking small-scale, it is most productive to think municipally. Now, it’s important to note that in global cities, where many of us are from or will end up, such as Toronto, municipal law and policy are a different animal altogether, with problems warranting provincial, federal, and even global attention (thanks Rob). What I’m talking about is small-scale policy, including but not limited to the “Greater Toronto Area”.
Likely for the same reasons that people are hightailing out of small towns in the first place, municipal policy does not garner the attention it deserves (it’s not cool, there’s no money in it, blah blah blah). But, if an environmentalist wants to elicit actual change, there might not be a better setting. In terms of impact, a collection of few, or even one, can be a lot louder in a small town hall than on the global scale. And, imagine, actual change being done, actually influencing a political agenda, being the driving force that implements a green roof bylaw, a ban on plastic bags, or a ban on shark fins (which is subsequently not overturned). Imagine, as everyone else is busy with provincial and federal politics, you might actually get something done.
The point is, perhaps environmentalists can make a bigger difference if they pay attention to these smaller issues and venues. This even include impacts on a national scale, because if you look at the origins of any progressive Canadian policy that has been enacted, including environmental policies, it’s municipalities that have been the leaders (see the pesticides bans which swept across the country, which started in Hudson, Quebec).
Sometimes making small incremental changes is just as important, or even more important, in the precedent-based world we live in. If anyone, those in the law should recognize that opportunity. So, environmentalists, hold on to your global perspective and concerns if you’d like to – accessible solutions to these issues are available, but you might have to think municipally to find them.