21
Protecting Natural
Resources for All
How we use natural resources affects our health and the health of our
communities. Because everyone uses natural resources, we all have some part
to play in protecting, preserving, and sharing these resources.
Unfortunately, natural resources are not shared equally among everyone.
The poor use the least, and the rich use the most. Powerful corporations,
governments, and militaries often take a large share of natural resources.
Even within a single community, wealthier people use more natural resources
than poor people. Often the poor are forced to fight among themselves for
what is left. This unfair distribution of resources leads to serious health
problems for the poor.
We can talk about conserving natural resources all day long, but so long as
inequality continues, environmental health will be a right only for the few who
have wealth and power and not the many who need these resources for daily
survival. As the Indian leader Mahatma Ghandi said, “There is enough for
everyone’s need, but not for everyone’s greed.”