climate

Overview

“There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew.” – Marshall McLuhan

It may seem like climate change affects everyone equally, because we all live together on Earth, right? The truth is, some groups are more vulnerable to climate change than others. Climate-driven disasters like droughts, hurricanes, and rising sea levels, as well as contaminated air, water and lands have a disproportionate negative impact on Black, Indigenous and People of Color. These groups are more likely to live in or have been segregated to compromised geographical areas and face degraded immune systems, less access to funds, and inadequate resources due to decades of racism, oppression and marginalization. We must fight to ensure everyone has equal and fair access to what people need to survive and thrive daily and in the face of disasters or challenges. There can be no climate justice without social justice. 

So how do we act on climate in a just way that supports everyone and prioritizes equity?

Let’s start with intersectional environmentalism, a term championed by Leah Thomas (@GreenGirlLeah), creator of Intersectional Environmentalist. She defines it as “an inclusive version of environmentalism that advocates for both the protection of people and the planet. It identifies the ways in which injustices happening to marginalized communities and the earth are interconnected. It brings injustices done to the most vulnerable communities, and the earth, to the forefront and does not minimize or silence social inequality. Intersectional environmentalism advocates for justice of people and the planet.” 

By acknowledging the ways that climate change, environmental destruction and toxins impact diverse communities, and intentionally including all peoples in our activism, we can work to create climate solutions that benefit everyone and the Earth.

Developed countries emit the highest levels of greenhouse gases because of level of industry, yet developing countries that emit low levels of greenhouse gases are most vulnerable to detrimental climate impacts. Developed nations have more advanced solutions to keep their people and lands safe, like storm protection for cities and money to pay for damage, while developing countries are left to face the brunt of consequences without adequate resources.

Marginalized communities and minorities are at an additional disadvantage when it comes to environmental impacts. This includes Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as women and children. After accounting for differences in population size, white Americans consume 17% less air pollution than they emit, while Black and Hispanic Americans consume 56% and 63% more air pollution than they produce respectively.

BIPOC are more likely to live near factories and other production facilities that emit toxic waste, due to decades of segregation that have pushed these groups into areas deemed inadequate by white power infrastructure. From factories that spew toxic clouds in areas where mostly minority communities live, to trash shipped from developed to developing countries, marginalized and minority populations continue to face disproportionate environmental burdens, exposures and risks.

BIPOC communities are too often on the frontlines of the climate crisis, left more vulnerable without resources and information to prepare for or fight short and long term negative results, leading to health risks, food scarcity, and tragically, even death. One current example of unequal harm is COVID-19, which puts people with illnesses like asthma, lung diseases or heart issues at a higher risk if they contract the virus. The people who most often have these illnesses are those in minority communities, as a result of factories, waste sites and toxins concentrated in BIPOC communities, rising levels of air pollution, less access to green spaces, all exacerbated by limited access to healthcare.

Indigenous peoples have always been powerful voices in the fight against climate change and injustice. In fact, Indigenous peoples control one quarter of Earth’s land. However, their right to land and tribal sovereignty (the ability to govern themselves) has been ignored by the government which threatens their ability to protect, take care of, and preserve those natural lands. In the United States, white colonizers forced Indigenous peoples from their land and made them live in the least desirable sections of the country, areas we know now to be most susceptible to climate change and the devastating results of rapidly increasing temperatures. 

Indigenous people continue to fight powerfully for lands they have and that which has been stolen, towards a clean, just, equitable future — often with little political influence or economic power to slow projects, like the Dakota Access Pipeline, and inadequate resources to slow environmental degradation, like the melting of sea ice, which threatens food security and survival. When their voices are repeatedly ignored, Indigenous peoples face repeated negative impacts, displacement and lack of access to sacred, traditional ways of life. As the impacts of climate change worsen, Indigenous communities are losing access to drinkable water, natural resources, food, cultural sites, ancestral homelands, and places to safely raise the next generations.

What can we do? What must we do? Stand boldly, proudly and unapologetically for climate AND social justice in every aspect of our work as environmentalists, while intentionally making space for BIPOC voices and leaders. Back policy and elected officials that ensure this is a legislative imperative at every level of government. Support businesses that do the same, like the groundbreaking, rule-shattering Dr. Bronner’s, an activist company that raises its voice loudly and proudly for our earth, its guiding principles and racial justice. “We are committed to working to end systemic racism however it manifests in our society, whether in police practices, government policies, or in everyday life. Together, we are All-One or None! All-One! Black Lives Matter!” Join non-profit organizations like Intersectional Environmentalist, as well as Earth Uprising, accelerating the youth climate movement while providing resources, education and opportunities to work toward a better future, and Friends of the Earth, leading worldwide campaigns to ensure environmental and social justice and human rights to secure sustainable societies.

We, the next generation, are witnessing climate change before our eyes. We understand its effects, listen to all peoples, speak out and rise up. Youth will be here on Earth for decades to come, with no choice but to face the impacts of environmental and social crises that continue to worsen. We believe that positive change begins with using our platform, privilege and power here and now! Join us in making a difference.