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Climate Change, Disability, and Eco-Ableism: why we need to be inclusive to save the planet
My car may be a blue, zippy little thing, but it is my very big symbol of complete independence. Without my car — modified to enable me to drive — I wouldn’t be able to work, socialise, or generally enjoy life to the extent that I do.
Frankly I couldn’t live without my car.
My disability includes the need to wear a prosthetic leg. My right hip is permanently dislocated. And I have mild scoliosis. Walking isn’t easy. In fact walking long distances is nigh on impossible. Running for a train is never going to be an experience I have. And where I live, to get a bus into town would require me to choose between two rather steep hills to walk up.
If I had no car I would have to rely on expensive taxis to get places, or friends to drive me places when they are free. Neither of these options are really fair, to me cost wise or to my friends time and cost wise.
Here’s the crux of the issue though. If I could live more sustainably I would. If I could use public transport I would. If I could ride a bike I would. If I could walk further I would. If I could afford an electric car I would get one.
If, if, if.
This is not a pity party on my disability. I am proud of my identity as a disabled person and I wouldn’t change my life for anything. What I do want to change though is how disabled people are included in the environmental/climate change movement.
I feel excluded from a movement that I would dearly love to participate more in.
I am doing what I can — I use a bamboo toothbrush that is biodegradable. I research and purchase more sustainably produced clothing and only purchase clothing when I need too. I only use my car when it is absolutely necessary and car pool when I can. I use, where possible, chem-free shampoo and conditioner. To cut back on plastic packaging I now use bars of soap instead of body wash (keeping in mind that for some disabled people using a bar of soap would be difficult).
But there is still a certain level of guilt placed at my feet, by myself and others, that I am not doing enough.
