If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the plaintiffs Roe this summer, as experts predict, people will have to travel much father to access abortion care—at a time when the U.S. desperately need to reduce its carbon emissions.
The U.S. government is restricting bodily autonomy and self determination. record-breakingWave of anti-abortion legislation. Texas became the first state in September 2021 to pass a law banning abortions at six weeks gestation. Today, there are at least 10 states are considering bills copying S.B. 8, and with the possibility to an Overturn in Roe v WadeMany states are poised for If abortion is performed, ban it.. These bans have adisproportionate impact People of color and people with low income, trans peopleOther historically marginalized peoples
While violations of reproductive justice are a major issue, there are also environmental consequences that we must consider. Existing restrictions already force people to travel long distances to access care—whether that’s rural populations or people in states, like MississippiWith Only one abortion clinic. But if RoeMany people will need to travel far to get care if the ruling is upheld. Florida residents may find it more difficult to travel further to a clinic. More than 6,000% In addition to the financial and emotional burden on the abortion-seeking individual, this is alarming at a time when we need to Reduce carbon emissions by a lot and quickly.
Individual actions are not enough to reduce carbon emissions as large corporations are responsible for the vast majority of them, but individual choicesAnd a cultural shiftWe must all be involved in climate solutions. Flying and driving are a big part of that, but as abortion becomes increasingly inaccessible in much of the U.S., many more people may soon find themselves with no choice but to fly or drive long distances to access the care that they need. Medication abortion by mail offers a great option for some, but will not be the right decision for everyone needing an abortion,And access to abortion pills may be restricted as well.
Individuals are not responsible for navigating difficult decisions about accessing healthcare. With the uncertainty of how the pandemic will continue to progress globally, people face difficult choices about how to travel—balancing economic, time and health factors as well as the types of support available to them. There are additional obstacles to traveling for some, such as Traveling can cause damage to mobility aids, planes that don’t accommodate their bodies, Discrimination against head covers and natural hair.
Our society’s moral failing is that people have to make these decisions in order to access healthcare. People should have the ability to exercise their bodily autonomy, and control their reproductive lives without having to leave their community. We all will be affected by the environmental impact of forced travel, regardless of whether we choose to drive long distances to avoid restrictions or fly despite bans and restrictions.
This impact will however be uneven. Climate change has adisproportionate impact on people based upon race and/or class. It has disproportionate effects on those in the Global South. People of color are Higher levels of pollution. People are forced to move because they cannot afford housing. Living in areas that are more vulnerable to wildfires. Oil pipelines pose greater risk to Indigenous communitiesThe same applies to Nuclear technology. These are global issues—U.S. Emissions have enormous implications for Sea level rise could eliminate island nations. In the United States, the same populations that are most adversely affected by climate changes are also those that are most affected by abortion bans. Many of those who have to deal with the emotional pain of losing their bodily autonomy, and the financial burden of trying to get care, are the same people who will face the worst effects of climate change.
People should have the ability to exercise their bodily autonomy, and to control their reproductive lives, without leaving their communities.
As the climate crisis worsens there will be more risks for travelers. Extreme weather can make travel difficult or impossible. Travelers to the West Coast to seek medical attention will need to deal with severe weather conditions. Wildfire seasonwhich is getting more severe and more dangerous, as well as the dangers that come with it such a air pollution and fires so large they generate weather. For people with underlying health conditions like asthma—which disproportionately impacts people of color—air pollution is particularly dangerous. On top of that, hazardous weather worsened by climate change can also close abortion clinics.
Experts warn us a consequence of climate change may be increasing pandemics as society expands into more natural areas in the context of a warmingAnd globalized world. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues with catastrophic impacts around the world—and here In the U.S., where healthcare infrastructure is falling apart—the risk of more frequent pandemics is not something to take lightly.
Climate change and reproductive options are closely and inextricably interconnected. Whether it’s the impact of climate change on people’s decisions about having children, Pollution-related miscarriageClimate change closing clinics or abortion restrictions increasing emissions are examples of climate change. Reproductive justice and environmental justice must be considered together. Recognizing the importance of gender in the climate crisis.
Individual decisions about whether or not to travel will not determine our success in addressing climate change. Policies that increase emissions are not the answer. It is important to protect safe, legal, accessible abortion care. We must also remember that it is a consequence for abortion bans.
Sign up and share Ms.’s relaunched “We Have Had Abortions” petition—whether you yourself have had an abortion, or simply stand in solidarity with those who have—to let the Supreme Court, Congress and the White House know: We will not give up the right to safe, legal, accessible abortion.
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