Why Environmentalism Needs Black History
Environmentalism is an intersectional movement, it's not just about the planet, it's about the people.
Violet Kohlenstein
What is Intersectional Environmentalism?
When people think about environmentalism, their first thought is typically the basics: recycling, global warming, maybe a sad-looking polar bear; their second might be about “granola-girlies” or trending (and expensive) “sustainable swaps.” Most people, however, upon first reflection, might not think about racism when they hear the word environment. Even so, while the two may not be initially linked in many people’s minds, their connections are boundless.
Before we start addressing what is commonly called “environmental racism” or the “environmental justice movement,” we should first understand something important. Environmentalism is inherently intersectional, meaning it overlaps with a lot of different issues. You cannot, for example, try to address the problem of greenhouse gas pollution and industrial fossil fuel exploitation by not also taking into account respiratory illness and access to healthcare. When you start examining the physical effects of air pollution you’ll find that there are numerous links between pollution levels and mental illness as well.
You’ll also find then that the people most at risk to exposure of hazardous air pollution are lower-income communities due to a lack of sufficient emission regulations and a practice known as NIMBYism (not in my backyard) which refers to the push by affluent residents to defer affordable housing projects and industrial development to lower-income neighborhoods. This has led to a build-up of industrial pollution in such areas, unfairly putting predominately minority communities in disadvantageous situations. In the US, poverty rates are highest among Black, Hispanic, and Native American residents ,where environmental justice doesn’t just impact pollution exposure but also nutrition in “food deserts” and safe housing in neighborhoods.
This logic could apply to almost anything; you could take, for example, the recent fires in the Los Angeles area whose intensity, experts explain, was the direct result of changing climatic conditions. Namely, increased drought conditions led by warming temperatures mixed with "climate whiplash” of alternating wet and dry extremes generated large amounts of flammable shrubbery last year that got burned this year. In the Altadena area specifically, residents are already worried about gentrification.
The community here is primarily composed of Black and Hispanic residents, and experts worry that post-disaster, climate gentrification will take hold. Rich residents will be able to rebuild and move back to their homes while land speculators and wealthy neighbors will be able to swoop in and take previously affordable land away from lower-income Californians. This is not to mention the sweeping cuts made by insurance companies for wildfire insurance protections which may increase the risk of “disaster recovery gentrification” that already hit the state after the 2018 Paradise fires.
In short, while environmentalism is about the environment and being good stewards of the planet, it is impossible to look at improving sustainability without first understanding who is being most immediately impacted.
Historically, environmentalism has been seen as a somewhat exclusive movement, one that came out of a place of privilege and money. The frustrating thing about this is, as we discussed, often people with the least resources, political voices, and influence face the brunt of many of the most pressing issues. Today, with a universe of open-ended opportunities to educate oneself, building knowledge about the interconnectedness of black history and environmental justice is going to be key to combat this.
Black History and Environmental Justice
Let’s take a look at some key moments in Black History and Environmentalism!
The Civil Rights Movement and Environmental Action
A lot of key environmental changes sprung forth out of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. One key figure was the famed Fannie Lou Hamer, who founded the Freedom Farm Cooperative (FFC), which, without government funding or assistance, acted as a co-op group and supported more than 1,500 families at its peak. Hamer managed to buy 640 acres of land in which black families struggling from poverty could collectively own, live on, farm, and sustain themselves. Not only did the co-op propel economic development for low-income African American families, but it also provided these families with more control over their own homes and environments.
The Black Panther Party offered a similar plan, which they called “urban land banking,” an idea in which communities would collectively buy land via direct purchase, borrowed money, or leasing of certain cities. This enabled greater community control of the use and development of land in urban areas, which generated jobs anda practical approach to increasing greenspaces and the aesthetic value of neighborhoods. In a world where environmentalism was a luxury that often excluded African Americans and inner-city residents, community land ownership like this was a big part of securing autonomy when it came to the environment.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. also emphasized through his work a possibly less obvious vein of environmental justice. In his 1966 speech “Power to the Powerless” he explained that “one cannot be free without power, and there can be no power without freedom to decide for oneself.” Freedom to work and exist in safe conditions, freedom of movement, and of self-determination (all important to environmentalism) can be linked to this idea. In 1968, after the tragic deaths of two garbage collectors (Echol Cole and Robert Walker), MLK and Memphis sanitation workers went on strike, demanding an end to unsafe and neglectful working conditions, recognition of their union, and fair wages. While King was assassinated shortly after his support for such change, some leaders point to his activism as a factor contributing to the passage of vital worker and environmental safety legislation like the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, the Clean Water Act of 1972, and the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974.
If you want to learn more about a more in-depth look at environmental racism in the United States this article might be a good read!
Names to Know
Another key figure is Dr. Robert Bullard, the “father of environmental justice,” as he is commonly known, an environmental justice advocate and author of 17 books specializing in environmental justice, racism, health, and urban land use. He is widely known among the environmental science and justice community for his book Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class and Environmental Quality, which explores the links between race, class, and pollution, sharing the stories of five communities of color and their resistance to environmental racism. On his website, Dr. Bullard writes that “America is segregated and so is pollution. Race and class still matter and map closely with pollution, unequal protection, and vulnerability,” he explains that “today, zip code is still the most potent predictor of an individual’s health and well-being,” exposing the pervasive threat of modern “redlining” when it comes to environmental health.
Colonel Charles Young is another big name to know. In the 1880s, he became the third black man to ever graduate from the US Military Academy at West Point and used his military skills to become a force in environmentalism while leading an all-black regiment as their captain Young served as the superintendent of Sequoia and General Grant national parks in California. In this capacity, he also became the first black man to serve as the superintendent of a National Park.
The National Parks Service at this point was just 13 years old and since parks were managed at that time by military troops, it was Young’s responsibility to turn Sequoia into the kind of place it is now: somewhere that the public can explore and embrace the vast beauty of the outdoors. When he arrived with his troops, the parks lacked almost any significant infrastructure, with just five miles of roads constructed so far he put his team, known as the “Buffalo Soldier,s” to work building up paths and facilities, converting the park into a national treasure. Young dedicated his time as superintendent to warding off illegal hunters, overgrazing livestock, and fiercely preserving the natural landscape.
Although there is a legion of historical names we could discuss, I'll focus on one more: Margie Eugene-Richard. Richard became the first African American to be awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize, after she founded the Concerned Citizens of Norco (CCN) during the ‘90s. Richard grew up in The Old Diamond neighborhood of Norco, a community in southern Louisiana squished between a Shell chemical plant on one side and an oil refinery on the other. Respiratory illness and various other diseases ran rampant in Richard’s neighborhood along with others that likewise fell along “Cancer Alley” (a strand of neighborhoods along the southern Mississippi River).
Richard’s sister also passed away as a child due to a bacterial disease linked to dangerous pollution levels. This, along with multiple pipeline explosions, one that left a family dead, pushed CCN and Richard to fund the relocation of Old Diamond residents to safer communities. Her work started with grassroots projects where she even mobilized residents to participate in “bucket brigades,” which offered them buckets and supplies to self-survey their neighborhoods for contamination. Eventually, after years of work, Richard was able to secure a major victory against Shell. In 2000, Shell promised to lower its emissions by 30% and develop safer evacuation routes. Two years later, they agreed to a $5 million community development plan and bought 200 of 225 lots surrounding their plant- each for $80,000 or more, allowing for the relocation of all Old Diamond residents.
Content Creators to follow
Of course, even though celebrating the many key figures of black history is crucial, it is equally important to recognize the pioneers of today’s time. There are countless contemporary activists, scholars, scientists, and advocates who are fighting tirelessly for justice and working hard to educate the public about critical issues. This generation of activists, however, are making waves in slightly different ways than in the past, using social media as a powerful tool to boost involvement and awareness. especially among young people.
Following black content creators who inform about social justice issues, the science behind environmental disasters, or simply sharing an enthusiastic love for nature is a great place to start exploring!
Alexis Nikole (@blackforager)
Environmental science enthusiast who educates about current events with humor and enthusiasm. She shares her journey as a nature lover, forager, and vegan food creator.
Lea Thomas (@greengirlleah) and Intersectional Environmentalist (@intersectionalenvironmnetalist)
Self-proclaimed “environmental creative” and founder of Intersectional Environmentalist a nonprofit working to connect climate advocates and make information and resources accessible.
Arielle V. King (@ariellevking)
Environmental justice strategist making climate information and news accessible. Produces mini Instagram “podcasts” that delve into climate culture with a hopeful attitude, offering tips on how you can be a proactive citizen.
Wawa Gatheru (@wawa_gatheru)
Climate activist and founder of Black Girl Environmentalist who is passionate about climate solutions and breaking down environmental history and the future!
Jazmine Rogers (@thatcurlytop) and Sustainable Baddie (@sustainablebaddie)
Fashion content creator and founder of Sustainable Baddie a platform that celebrates informed fashion choices and promotes cool ways you can make your wardrobe more sustainable.
Why does it matter now?
With President Trump already rolling back countless environmental policies including Biden’s Justice 40 Initiative, which allowed for 40% or more of climate spending to be directed toward high-risk communities, and his slamming of DEI policies, environmental justice is taking a hit. Trump’s recent executive order, "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” has already had wide-reaching effects, among them being the likely closure of the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, a branch that currently exists as a part of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The closure would force even more employees on administrative leave (some EPA employees have already been fired by the attacks on DEI) and would eliminate a critical government presence in the field of environmental justice placing vulnerable communities at an even higher risk.
Even as America braces itself for an uncertain future, one thing is for certain: learning about and celebrating Black History is important now more than ever. An educated population dedicated to environmentalism and equitable change is what the world and its people need to secure any future at all.
