The Interconnections Between Racism and Environmental Sustainability
Written by Valeree Catangay
3 min read
In the wake of global protests against the racist killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and many other Black people, environmental organizations have released statements in solidarity with Black lives and their commitment to do better. This moment has sparked the conversation of how systemic racism still persists in many forms, including in the field of environmental sustainability.
Society’s perception of environmentalism is often centered on white conservationist figures like John Muir and environmental justice movements in the 1960s and 70s. Mainstream environmentalism has also failed to emphasize that Indigenous people were the original protectors of the land. A long history of genocide, colonization, and extraction of land and labor of Black and Indigenous communities has led to lasting environmental degradation.
The erasure of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) in the history of environmentalism is not so different from today. The modern environmental workforce is approximately 82% white and 76% male, yet low-income communities and communities of color are most impacted by pollution and environmental burdens. In a recent study assessing polluting facilities across the country, Black individuals, specifically, faced 54 percent higher health risks than the overall population. This is one example of environmental racism, which is defined as the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color.
Elizabeth Yeampierre, co-chair of the Climate Justice Alliance, states that “there is no climate action that is not also about racial justice.” It is time that non-Black environmentalists and sustainability professionals focus on the direct ties between racial justice and environmental protection. Here are ways to show up for the Black environmental community:
Reflect on your workplace, community, and connections. How many Black voices are represented within your personal and professional life? How can you improve that representation and support Black environmentalists? Follow and get involved with organizations and professionals doing this work. Have conversations with colleagues, friends, and family about the importance of anti-racism in environmental work.
Practice intersectional environmentalism, the idea of not only protecting the planet but also its people. Consider the larger picture of how climate mitigation and environmental strategies might negatively affect BIPOC. One example of this is how REDD carbon offset projects—intended to reduce emissions—have threatened to displace Indigenous people from the rainforests they call home. Advocate for strategies that benefit all communities.
Just as we are working to create a more sustainable world, sustain the fight for systemic change. Continue the work after media attention has died down.
Additional resources:
Environmental organizations supporting Black communities to support or donate to
Black owned sustainable products and brands to follow
Further reading (articles and books)
Unequal Impact: The Deep Links Between Racism and Climate Change
I’m a Black Climate Expert. Racism Derails Our Efforts to Save the Planet
Dumping in Dixie by Dr. Robert Bullard
A Terrible Thing to Waste: Environmental Racism and Its Assault on the American Mind by Hariet A. Washington
Toxic Communities: Environmental Racism, Industrial Pollution, and Residential Mobility by Dorceta Taylor
About the Author:
Valeree is a sustainability professional, designer, and climate justice advocate. While studying Environmental Science at UCLA, she co-founded the Environmentalists of Color Collective to increase conversations on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sustainability community on campus. She is currently helping lead corporate sustainability initiatives at Dolby Laboratories as a Sustainability Specialist.