Activism in a Post-Disaster Context: Environmental Views Following Displacement from Disaster

Environmental conservation is an important part of understanding the conditions in which social inequalities can be exacerbated during and in the aftermath of a disaster. Often people are displaced for varying amounts of time following a disaster and this displacement is not only a cause for concern for the most vulnerable of populations but may prompt a stronger sense of environmentalism in the people affected by disasters. Since disasters are increasing in frequency and severity, the social impact of disasters is an ever-growing subject of research that has real implications for both the environment and the livelihood of people within our society. This paper examines the link between environmental displacement and the underlying environmental views of those who are the most vulnerable during times of disaster. Utilizing an intersectional ecological feminist lens, I explore those who are the most vulnerable to displacement and whether this displacement contributes to feelings of distrust of our political, social and economic systems. If so, are these people contributors to environmental movements and do they spearhead a link between vulnerable populations and activism? More specifically, are those who have been displaced by disaster the most likely to start or contribute to the environmental movements common today?