Abstract

"Harm Reduction: What the War on Drugs Teaches Us About Living in the Anthropocene"

JONATHAN WLASIUK, Michigan State University (wlasiukj@msu.edu)

Researchers working for the US Fish and Wildlife Service have estimated that half a billion migrating birds die each year in North America as a result of building collisions. Environmental activists throughout North America have partnered with building owners to dim or turn off exterior lighting during migration seasons and to modify glass exteriors to avoid collisions. In large cities located on flyways, such as Chicago and Cleveland, these efforts have led to an 80-100% reduction in collisions while reducing energy costs for building owners.

Citizens alerted to the immediacy of environment crisis often view reform and compromise as a failure to advance the radical change necessary to avert catastrophe. Although wildlife remains at risk to habitat loss fueled by blind economic growth, organizations such as Lights Out in Cleveland and Chicago have reduced the harm posed to migrating birds and offered a model not only to other activists but also a lesson to business owners that “going green” can save them money while earning them accolades. This paper explores how environmental activists in Cleveland have adopted the strategy of “harm reduction” first pioneered by reformers in the War on Drugs in their struggle to reduce the amount of harm caused by business activity.