The New Faces of the Sustainability Movement

We are living during a historical time, where people are collectively recognizing the negative impacts humans have made on the environment and that we can no longer wait for the next generation to fix it. Environmentalists have long discussed the importance of nature conservation and transitioning to eco-conscious living but have failed to recognize the disproportionate ways that climate change impacts communities of color who experience intersectional oppression.

According to the National Black Environmental Justice Network, “African Americans are 79 percent more likely than whites to live in neighborhoods with toxic industrial pollution that poses the greatest health dangers.” How does a movement that claims to value all forms of life by prioritizing the health of the planet, allow the most vulnerable communities to still suffer? In light of the continued physical and environmental violence against Black and brown folx, sustainable activists are taking matters into their own hands.

These five Black women are part of the larger movement to diversify sustainability. By centering the needs of their communities while also tackling environmental issues, their work shows the potential of applying intersectional solutions to deeply rooted social justice and environmental problems.

The New Faces of the Sustainability Movement