Dorothea Lange, Water Prophet – Bay Nature

Report on Dorothea Lange’s Photographic Work and Its Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

In March 1935, Dorothea Lange captured a poignant image depicting a young woman balancing on a plank above a makeshift pond of irrigation runoff, dipping her bucket to collect drinking water for her family in Imperial Valley, California, near El Centro. This photograph highlights critical issues related to clean water access, agricultural irrigation, decent work, and the broader systems that support human dignity and sustainable living.

Key Themes and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Lange’s photography frequently focused on water in various contexts, from large-scale irrigation systems to simple, everyday water containers at labor camps. Her work provides a visual narrative that aligns closely with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Emphasizes the importance of access to safe and affordable drinking water, as depicted by the woman collecting water for her family.
   • Highlights challenges in water management for both domestic use and agriculture.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Reflects the necessity of irrigation to support crop production and food security.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Draws attention to the labor conditions of farm workers and the need for dignified employment.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Encourages sustainable water use and equitable resource distribution.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Raises awareness about sustainable land and water management practices.

Photographic Narrative and Broader Implications

• Lange’s images of drinking water, irrigation systems, and laundry collectively illustrate the interconnectedness of human and environmental well-being.
• Her work questions how societies can develop systems that promote justice, equity, and sustainability in human interactions and with the natural environment.
• The balance maintained by the woman on the plank symbolizes the delicate equilibrium required to achieve these goals.

Conclusion

Dorothea Lange’s photography serves as a powerful visual report on the challenges and necessities related to water access, labor conditions, and sustainable living. Her work underscores the importance of advancing the Sustainable Development Goals to ensure that all people can live with dignity, access essential resources, and maintain harmony with the earth.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The article highlights the need for clean drinking water for farm workers and their families, emphasizing access to safe and affordable drinking water.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The mention of irrigation for crops relates to agricultural productivity and food security.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article references the need for decent work conditions for farm laborers.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article touches on social justice and systems that allow people to live with dignity, implying a focus on reducing inequalities.
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The concerns about systems that allow living justly with one another and the earth suggest sustainable management of resources.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 6 Targets:
   • 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • 6.4: Increase water-use efficiency across all sectors, including agriculture.
2. SDG 2 Targets:
   • 2.3: Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
   • 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
3. SDG 8 Targets:
   • 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men.
4. SDG 10 Targets:
   • 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all.
5. SDG 12 Targets:
   • 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. For SDG 6:
   • Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.
   • Water use efficiency in agriculture (e.g., volume of water used per unit of crop produced).
2. For SDG 2:
   • Average income of small-scale food producers.
   • Percentage of agricultural land under sustainable practices.
3. For SDG 8:
   • Proportion of workers in decent employment.
4. For SDG 10:
   • Measures of social and economic inclusion (e.g., income inequality indices, access to services).
5. For SDG 12:
   • Resource use efficiency indicators.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: baynature.org