As interest in sustainable living steadily increases, so too has the popularity of creating, using and sharing community gardens. The benefits of which go far beyond being a practical way to care for the environment; they can also improve access to fresh produce, promote social connection and enhance local spaces.
Bringing awareness to the many issues our planet currently faces is why I joined the Climate Change Collective; a group of environmentally-minded bloggers who want to share climate action news that motivates and informs — keeping the subject at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
Created by Michelle from Boomer Eco Crusader and Jamie of Jamie Ad Stories; each month a different member of the collective takes turns to write a lead/focus post that shares key details, concerns and/or unique perspectives about climate change. Once the post is published, the rest of the group will link to it in a response-style blog on their own sites; discussing any thoughts and ideas about the information/issues raised.
The collective is currently open to any other bloggers who want to join; if you’re interested, get in touch.
Collective Climate Action
The tenth installment and most recent lead/focus post for the collective was written by Krista from A Sustainably Simple Life; where she writes about how green spaces help our planet — particularly those in cities where they can sometimes be most scarce. As mentioned in her post, Krista explores how lack of nature-related areas can create ‘urban heat islands’ (heat trapped in built-up areas) that can influence climate change-related warming trends. Trees, shrubs, parks, gardens, woods and playing fields, etc. can all mitigate these effects as well as provide stability for various flora and fauna.
[…] strategic management of our green spaces on an individual level as well as larger scales can work against climate change, as well as help to mitigate escalating impacts of it. | Climate Change Collective: How Green Spaces Help Our Planet – A Sustainably Simple Life
Krista’s post got me thinking about one particular type of green space that we are in urgent need of — community gardens that focus on growing fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables. Not only do these lush areas provide some much needed environmentally friendly natural greenery, they can become a valuable resource to help tackle food insecurity. An issue that will ultimately impact us all as climate change goes hand-in-hand with disruptions to global food production; we cannot let these harms go unchecked.
Read on to discover the vital role of community gardens in promoting environmental justice. Learn how they empower communities to create sustainable and equitable spaces.
Community Gardens and Environmental Justice
At its core, environmental justice is about protecting and maintaining the right of equitable access to safe, clean places in which to live and work. This should be regardless of income level, race or ethnicity; however, being committed to this cause means recognizing that historically marginalized communities are often disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards and climate-related vulnerabilities; all of which need to be actively addressed.
Community gardens represent one way to negate food security disparities on a local level; helping to fight for environmental justice by providing access to fresh produce in areas that may not have easy access to healthy food options.
The Benefits of Community Gardens on the Environment
By creating green spaces in built-up city areas, community gardens can help to promote climate action measures and sustainable living practices in a number of ways, including:
- Providing a source of fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables to eat.
- Reducing waste via composting tree trimmings, grass clippings, leaves, vegetable scraps, etc. that can be turned into nutrient-rich fertilizer.
- Plants absorbing rainwater, which reduces runoff and pollution being washed into streams, rivers, lakes and nearby streets.
- Improved air quality as plants filter out pollutants and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
- Enriching soil quality by pulling carbon dioxide from the air during photosynthesis and introducing it (along with moisture) into the soil.
- Increasing local biodiversity and providing habitats for wildlife, including important pollinating insects.
- Green spaces and plants deflect radiation from the Sun, providing shade and releasing moisture into the air that helps to mitigate the urban heat island effect — which occurs when cities experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas because of larger amounts of densely populated buildings and roads that absorb and re-emit the Sun’s heat.
How Community Gardens Fight for Environmental Justice
The principle that environmental justice is based on is that everyone retains the right to an equitable, healthy, secure and sustainable life; including access to nourishing food, clean air and water, safe homes and also protections from climate change-related harms. The focus of this kind of social action seeks to address the impacts of ecological degradation and pollution; directed by the advocacy and meaningful participation of the communities affected.
Community gardens play a vital role in promoting environmental justice by providing space to engage in sustainable practices that bolster access to fresh produce; playing a part in alleviating food insecurity where healthy, affordable food options may be limited. Building community connections that maintain environmental justice in this way can also be achieved by encouraging local governments and/or various community leaders to:
- Facilitate larger scale citywide agriculture programs that grow and distribute low-cost fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables throughout municipalities.
- Establish local farms that have subsidized programs allowing community members to buy shares in them that provide fresh produce throughout the growing season.
- Support composting efforts and food recovery programs to reduce food waste.
- Eliminate restrictions on zoning regulations that support the development of grocery stores and farmers markets in underserved areas.
How to Find and Support Local Community Gardens
Hopefully, it has become apparent just how significant community gardens can be; these inner-city green spaces serve both the environment and the people who make use of them. Even if you do not live in a built-up area (but especially if you do), they are worth supporting. Getting out and gardening in this way feeds local populations with fresh produce, provides opportunities for physical activity and social interaction as well as creating habitats for wildlife — it’s a win-win. If you are interested in finding a community garden to support or participate in, you can:
- Search online using the American Community Gardening Association website (if you are in the U.S.) or look through social media platforms like Facebook.
- Attend local gardening events or visit nearby gardening centres to ask if there is anything local you can join or donate to.
- Contact your local government offices, community centers, churches or nonprofits that support gardening to find out what is available in your area.
- Once a garden is located, either volunteer to help with maintenance and upkeep or donate money or gardening supplies to support their day-to-day operations.
Other Ways To Support Green Spaces and Environmental Justice
There are a number of ways to get involved in protecting historically marginalized communities when they face harmful environmental practices and/or the growing impacts of climate change. We have to get politically active and not shy away from using our voices. Some ideas about how to advocate for environmental justice could include:
- Support and vote for local government policies that will actively address the harm climate change-related issues inflict on vulnerable populations.
- Speak out about and stand against any planned hazardous waste sites or known pollution sources that are going to be located in historically disadvantaged areas.
- Hold corporations accountable and share information about their project operations that adversely affect neighbouring communities.
In Summary
Fighting for our planet and all it contains demands collective action. The health of everything in nature; be it humans, air, water, food, flora and fauna, all require well informed, active involvement to solve the problems that climate change introduces. Green spaces are not just something to admire; they can literally be a life line — let’s grow something together.
Have you noticed any social benefits to having a community garden where you live? Have you ever visited or worked in a community garden?
Further Info:
The Benefits of Green Spaces and How to Create Them in Cities – GreenEarth
10 Big Findings from the 2023 IPCC Report on Climate Change – World Resources Institute
transatlantic | notes 
Oh I love this! There’s a community garden up the street from me and it is such a little oasis in an area that’s seen numerous high rises be built. It’s an incredibly active space and in addition to everyone’s little garden plots, there are a number of areas surrounding the garden space with pollinator friendly flowers. It makes me happy every time I walk by the space.
I’m so glad you highlighted these spaces. I think they are valuable for all the reasons you mentioned and also for general health and well-being. The more we are living in concrete jungles of high rises, the more we need spaces to get out and dig in that will benefit our mental and physical health.
It is so wonderful that you have a community garden near you, it sounds like a great space to have that brightens the area and the people who visit and work in it. I wish there were more of them around for everyone to make use of!
I’ve never heard of environmental justice before but how wonderful. We should have a community garden built near us soon on a field near by, can’t wait!
Corinne x
That sounds amazing that a community near you will be getting the benefits of using a green space like this!
I wish there was a community garden near where I live because it is such a good idea and a great way to provide fresh fruit and vegetables x
Lucy |
I hope there will be some in your area soon, hopefully local government or community websites can help locate any nearby!
Oh I love the idea of community gardens. Thank you for sharing. I learned something new from this post.
I love them too, they are so helpful in so many ways; we definitely need more of them!
Molly, I totally agree with you. Saving the planet is a globally collective effort; everyone has to play their part. There are a few community gardens here in NYC. But every spot of land are now been used for housing developments. We definitely need more green spaces; they go a long way in saving the environment.
I think NYC could definitely do with more green spaces, especially ones that can address food insecurity and help the environment. Thanks so much for reading!
This is a great read! I wish we had something like that here as it makes so much sense! Cannot beat fresh grown fruit and veg!
You really can’t beat it; it’s a great way to eat something nutritious and tasty but also help those who are food insecure. Thanks so much for reading!
This is such a lovely post. I like the idea of a community garden. Thank you for sharing this information and tips!
Lauren
They are a great way to encourage green spaces; which are so needed.
I really love that you have chosen to participate in this collective initiative for the health of all and the planet. We have a local community garden that just opened in my area, amongst many others. I have plans to go and do some work there. Thanks for sharing as more people really need to get on this.
That is so wonderful to hear that you have some community gardens near you; they are such a valuable resource. Thank for reading!
Enjoyed reading this article and thank you for addressing marginalized communities and neighborhoods on this issue. I’ll definitely check out the link to see if there’s a garden near me!
I hope you find something that’s near enough to support and enjoy; thanks so much for reading!
This post brilliantly outlines the importance of community gardens. I would love to see these in my city too.
Thank you! I really hope this initiative becomes more widespread too!
Your collective is doing some important work in getting this information out so thank you! It warms my heart when I see community gardens and I’d love to see more of them.
Being part of this collective has been incredible; there is so much good work being done, it’s very encouraging!
This was a really insightful post. In my city, there are green spaces but not community gardens. I do not even know where the closest community garden is, so there is definitely a lack there. It would be beneficial for the community if there were community gardens.
It would be so beneficial so I hope you begin to see more community gardens being made available. As a green space and food resource, they are invaluable.
This article is very helpful for knowing insights into community gardens and environmental justice.
I’m glad this was useful — thanks!
Community gardens are so important! We live right next to one and it is so nice! We enjoy going there often!
That is fantastic to hear; what a great resource for your community to have!
This is new information for me, so thank you for sharing and teaching me! I’m not familiar with any community gardens near me, sadly! Although I am moving to a new location soon, so perhaps there will be some nearby there.
When you move, definitely do a quick search online to see if there is anything; hopefully there is something nearby!
Community gardens are a little like allotments, I think. Something that benefits people and brings them together. I’ve not heard of the term environmental justice before, although it sounds a lot like one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (yes, I work in the built environment!). Lovely read, Molly, thank you.
It is very similar, if not the same as allotments, and is able to serve the local community with fresh fruit and vegetables. I love the gathering nature of these green spaces and how people can come together! Environmental justice is often left out of climate action discussions so hopefully it will become more well known. Thanks so much for reading!
Wonderful post Molly! I learned so much about community gardens. What a fantastic way to support environmental justice and make sure everyone has access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Not to mention reducing food waste! Thank you for sharing!
I am so glad this was informative; community gardens are an incredible way to make a difference on many levels. Thanks so much for reading!
Love this post! More definitely needs to be done about how we are taking care of our planet. Have you seen the pictures and videos of the recent fires in Canada? It’s awful! And the have been a lot of fires in the western states of U.S. These fires are signs of what we are doing to our environment for sure.
As for the community gardens, it’s such great idea. In some inner cities people would have to walk for miles before finding a farmer’s market or grocery store that sells fresh produce. That’s just sad and not fair. The idea of a community garden would help fix that. I think it would also help people think of others and have a “we” mindset. Too many people in the world are going hungry, and I can’t understand why when there are enough resources in the world for everyone. If we only all cared for each other and shared there would be no people in need. Thankyou for sharing your beautiful and very thoughtful post on such an important topic.
It is sad to see all the fires going on; we had to spend a few days indoors with the windows closed because of unhealthy air quality because of the ones in Canada. It will only get worse as wildfires become much more prevalent than they normally are.
Community gardens are so important as they help tackle food insecurity and provide a place for fresh produce for those in food deserts or food swamps. I hope they become more widely used and supported — they are needed now more than ever. Thanks so much for reading!
I love the idea of community gardens – they are such a win-win for everyone involved and for the planet! It’s something I would love to get involved in.
Exactly; it’s a great idea that benefits everyone involved. A great way to care for each other and the planet!
I totally agree with you Molly, community gardens are very much needed! Love the benefits you listed x
They really are; I hope they become more of a reality for many more communities. Thanks for reading!