An Uninhabitable Earth Is NOT Inevitable

By Jordan J. McIntosh

The very first time environmental issues alarmed me, I was a middle school student attending Saint Phillips and James, a Catholic school in the Wakefield area of the Bronx. During a lesson on the solar system, my teacher decided to go off-script, straying from the curriculum—he foreshadowed a distant future, featuring an opaque and uninhabitable Earth. After providing the classroom with his gloomy prediction, he instructed us not to worry because the scene he described, according to him, wouldn’t become a reality for centuries. Although he attempted to soften the blow at the end, I couldn’t help but feel helpless and uninspired by his assertion. Instead of downplaying our ability to offset the adverse effects of climate change, it would have behooved him to encourage us to think critically about the role we want to play in Earth’s evolution. Why not challenge us to live in a more sustainable way?

As I grew older, discussions focused on climate change seemed to be happening more frequently. There was a growing number of people championing environmental justice. As the voices of those activists grew louder, so did the voices of the pundits. On one side of the spectrum, you have people like my middle school teacher, convinced that we’ve done irreversible and reprehensible damage to our planet, while on the other side you may hear the complete opposite. Former president Donald Trump has been quoted many times referring to climate change as a mythical hoax. As seemingly credible people stand on both sides of the argument, it can be difficult to form a stance or generate an opinion on the issue, but what if the truth lies somewhere between the two polarized groups?

Evidence suggests that we have done a considerable amount of damage to Earth’s infrastructure, yet I believe we can still make amends. An uninhabitable Earth is not inevitable. In Ron Gonen’s book, “The Waste-Free World: How the Circular Economy Will Take Less, Make More and Save the Planet,” he lambastes the linear economy, describing it as “wasteful and environmentally catastrophic,” but he doesn’t stop there. Gonen also outlines solutions, including, but not limited to, transitioning away from plastic packaging in favor of more biodegradable material, reducing food waste and reducing water waste. 

Although Gonen holds an MBA from Columbia, it does not require a man with his level of education or corporate success to ensure that our planet remains habitable; we can each play a significant role in the battle against climate change. My assertion is evidenced by the work being done by the Environmental Leaders of Color.

The Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preparing marginalized communities for the adverse effects of climate change through advocacy and education. In the summer of 2023, during ELOC’s Student Summer Energy and Environmental Program for Teens, high school students presented a project highlighting the dangers associated with pouring cooking oil down your drain, and the benefits of recycling it. This project and presentation lead to the ELOC students’ “Don’t Strain Your Drain” campaign.

Improperly disposing of oil and grease down drains may seem harmless, but over time it leads to significant issues. The substances solidify, causing clogged drain openings, and often leads to flooding. When we think about flooding, the immediate concern is property damage, but the destruction doesn’t stop there. If flood-related property damage isn’t addressed, moist dry-wall, beams, studs, and flooring create a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which pose serious health risks. The aftermath requires costly oil cleanup from storm drains and repairs for homeowners, renters, and landlords. This financial burden ripples through the community, impacting taxpayers who shoulder the costs through increased taxes for ongoing drain maintenance and cleaning. Unfortunately, these issues disproportionately impact communities of color.

As a solution, ELOC students formed partnerships with two Mount Vernon fire stations to provide residents and small restaurants with a safe alternative option for the disposal of cooking oil. Oil drums were set up at 470 East Lincoln Avenue and 50 West 3rd Street in Mount Vernon for oil drop-offs. This begs the question: If high school students can team up to find solutions to environmental issues, why can’t you? The responsibility to ensure that Earth remains habitable for generations to come falls on all of our shoulders. We can’t afford to become despondent and disengage with the fight against climate change. Earth’s future is in our hands. 

Jordan J. McIntosh is a journalist, producer, and activist. He is the associate producer of WABC-TV’s Black public affairs program Here and Now. McIntosh is also a member of the Environmental Leaders of Color’s board of directors.