View this email in your browser

This week: Society in the Environment

Photo of Village India Program student learning how to plow. Located in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Impact of Climate Change on Indigenous People

Indigenous populations have a history of being closely connected with nature, and many tribal nations serve as leaders and advocates for sustainability. Unfortunately, though, climate change is expected to have many negative effects on these tribes.

Environmental Justice and the Mobilization of the African American Community

Environmental Justice has become a term that environmentalists worldwide should know. The disproportionate burden of pollution and hazards that African American communities have faced can be traced back to the 1970s, when protests arose.

In the 80s-90s, environmental protests headed by African American communities had roots in the Civil Rights Movement. These roots were fueled by the fact that mainstream organizations left out minority groups. As a result, many African Americans founded and led grassroots organizations that were often spearheaded by church leaders and community improvement workers.

However, successfully mobilizing against large polluting corporations required political change from local governments, inspired by decades of protests that are still happening today. From the 1970s to the present, environmental justice is a goal that is yet to be achieved.

Timeline telling the history of Environmental Justice on African Americans.

Today, Environmental Justice is still far from being achieved. In 46 states across the U.S., African Americans live with more pollution than whites, despite making up less of the population. In order to implement social and environmental change, businesses and corporations need to diversify their workplaces, especially positions of higher political power, to represent the communities that are most exposed to toxins.

To quote Dr. Robert Bullard, “America is still segregated and so is pollution.”

Feminism, Politics, and Environmental Justice: The Trifecta of Intersectional Environmentalism

Feminism isn’t just about gender inequality. It is a movement concerned with years of oppression and unequal treatment amongst people, all of them, in chauvinistic ways. As the patriarchy has oppressed women, we have oppressed the environment. How can a movement with the aim of fighting these social, political and cultural mindsets go hand in hand with a movement that fights for the protection and preservation of the environment?

Because, today, industrialism and pollution have become so embedded in society that they are no longer recognized as being an issue. And to fight industrialism, for the environment, is to also fight these norms. The idea of being an intersectional environmentalist includes incorporating one of the most uplifting movements of the world.

Women across the world had coined the term “Ecofeminism” to include fighting for the environment while fighting for their rights. Ecofeminism reminds us of our moral responsibility towards all living things and how we need to protect our resources and the planet before we are left with nothing but decades of misery and grief through various climatic disasters. Every fight for the rights of a woman includes the fight for the rights of environmental conservation.

It is crucial to recognize these intersections to implement political change. Read Feminist perspectives and environmentalism to learn more about these intersections. Politics and Environmentalism have been interconnected since the first Environmental Conference and around the same time, Green Parties had come into enforcement. There were groups of people who believed that we need leaders who will make substantial changes in the field of environmental conservation and that radical change can be brought only by radical policy making.

Collage of Ecofeminist Movements and the Ecofeminist Wangari Maathai.

Stay Connected With Us!

Stay up-to-date on more environmental topics, sustainability tips, and ways to continue promoting the campaign:

Learn more on how to #MakeClimateAClass and take the pledge: