My Family Environmental History

April 13, 2023 By: Saman Darabian

My mother and her parents were born and raised in Tehran, the capital of Iran. Tehran does not have many natural resources that sustain its economy, however, a range of other factors such as oil and gas companies, services including finance, healthcare, and education, and large-scale manufacturing industries contribute to the city’s livelihood [1-4]. My mother’s father was a metallurgical technician and worked in a steel mill. As a middle-class family, environmental issues were not at the forefront of concerns for my grandparents. Their priority was meeting their basic needs. However, due to financial constraints, the family had to adopt a sustainable lifestyle by reducing their consumption of electricity, and water, and minimizing waste production. They would also make use of public transportation instead of relying on private vehicles to save money which led to a reduction of their carbon footprint. My mother’s family began to shift their awareness and values toward their impact on the environment when my youngest aunt began her post-secondary education in environmental engineering at Tehran University. Her studies brought to their attention the environmental challenges faced by their community at the time and prompted them to make changes in their lifestyle and habits, such as using reusable bags and containers, and using greywater for their garden plants. 

My father and his parents are from Zanjan, a city in the northwest of Iran. Zanjan is primarily an agricultural region, with the surrounding rural areas being used for farming and animal husbandry [5]. Therefore my father’s family had access to local produce, and meat and dairy products. Zanjan also had several mines that produced minerals such as zinc, lead, copper, and iron ore [6-8]. My uncle worked in a local factory that processed these minerals. Furthermore, many women including my aunts used natural resources such as wood, copper, wool, and silk to make traditional handicrafts such as hand-carved knives, copperware, and textiles and sold them in local bazaars. My grandfather started his own company importing automobile tires when he was young. My father and his five siblings enjoyed a financially abundant upbringing and did not concern themselves with environmental issues. Wealth created a sense of detachment from the natural environment in my father’s family and a belief that money can fix any problem. As a result, they left a relatively large ecological footprint by overconsumption of food, goods, and services, driving multiple cars, consuming significant amounts of energy for heating, cooling, and lighting their large house, and frequent traveling which contributed to carbon emissions.

Tehran and Zanjan are ​​a complex mix of natural and human-made elements and have been transformed over time by various factors, including human activity, migrations, and non-native species [9,10]. Tehran’s urbanization and growth have been largely influenced by Islamic and Persian culture, and by the influence of European architecture and urban planning [11-13]. My grandmother recalls the excitement that rippled through her community when new fruits and vegetables from Europe, such as bell peppers and tomatoes, were introduced. However, my grandparents also remember that the rapid growth of Tehran led to uncontrolled urbanization, which put pressure on the city’s infrastructure, public services, and natural resources. This also led to the loss of farmland and natural habitats, water scarcity, waste management, and air pollution [14-17]. Tehran often ranks among the most polluted cities in the world [18]. My grandfather recalls the prevalence of diseases like trachoma during his childhood in Tehran, which were caused by inadequate sanitation and improper waste management [19].

Iran is a patriarchal society where gender roles and norms are deeply entrenched and shape individuals’ attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors toward the environment [20,21]. For example, women in Zanjan, including my grandmother, traditionally have been responsible for managing household water use and waste disposal, which can give them a unique perspective on environmental issues in these areas. Additionally, there is a significant gender disparity in access to education and resources related to the environment in Zanjan, which limits women’s ability to engage in environmental activism and decision-making. This gender inequality is exemplified by my father’s family. All the male children in his family received a university-level education and pursued careers as engineers and businessmen, while my aunts, who only have a high school diploma, primarily earned income by selling their handicrafts. The gender difference in environmental activities is less pronounced in Tehran due to its modernization, improved access to education, and changes in social norms. All of my mother’s siblings attended university and were aware of environmental concerns in Tehran. Two of my aunts were highly active members of local NGOs that promoted environmentally sustainable lifestyles in Tehran. My youngest aunt who is an environmental engineer was often involved in organizing educational programs in Tehran, ran awareness campaigns on pollution and climate change, and advocated for policy change. Her dedication to promoting sustainable living inspired lifestyle changes among relatives and friends including myself. 

My father moved to Tehran when he was 18 years old to pursue education and economic opportunities. My parents met and got married in Tehran. After my father completed his undergraduate studies in civil engineering at a high-rank university in Tehran my parents moved to Zanjan. I was born in Zanjan and lived there until I was 12 years old when my family decided to immigrate to Canada. Although there were several reasons that motivated us to move, including political stability, economic opportunities, and family reunification, one key factor was the desire to live in a city with cleaner air and water, less traffic, and a healthier lifestyle. After settling in North Vancouver, we found that we were able to enjoy these benefits and more, which has been a significant improvement in our quality of life.

My grandparents and parents viewed the environment as a resource to be exploited for economic gain, which resulted in irreparable damage such as species extinction, oil spills, and ocean acidification. My upbringing in Zanjan and later in Canada (with the advancement of education and the spread of media), as well as my grandparents and parents’ environmental beliefs and practices, have influenced my perception of the environment and my behavior toward it. I witnessed how fast and easily individuals can destroy their habitat. Therefore, I became committed to living a sustainable lifestyle by reducing, reusing, recycling, eating more plant-based meals, shopping locally, and supporting environmentally responsible businesses. I have been volunteering for Green Chair Recycling since I was 14 years old. One of my future plans is to invest in a house in Squamish instead of an expensive one in Vancouver and invest the remaining of my money into installing solar panels on the roof of the house to rely on renewable energy.

 

References

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