Ecological justice and radical care

To embrace radical care, we must view nature as equal or kin, understanding our responsibilities and striving for a reciprocal relationship with nature. The principles of radical care align with the ethical foundations of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), which emphasizes kinship, reciprocity, respect, and responsibility. Academically trained architects and designers often approach landscapes objectively, maintaining detachment that can overlook relational aspects. Instead, adopting relational approaches and recognizing the agency, stewardship, and respect among human and more-than-human communities are essential.

Examining the environmental histories of contaminated landscapes through an ecological justice framework reveals how human actions have distanced us from nature. These histories can also highlight how engaging in remediation and restoration processes can physically and metaphysically repair our relationship with nature. Utilizing these spaces and processes as learning labs can deepen our understanding of the transformation from industrial neglect to radical care. The story of the St. Louis River Estuary exemplifies these ideas. A community has developed through the two decades of remediation and restoration actions within the estuary. This case study example illustrates effective community-driven remediation efforts, offering valuable lessons for applying ecological justice in riverine remediation and restoration efforts.