Diversify Earth Day
Photo Credit: canva.com. Graphic Artist: Sarai Pak
April 22nd marks 52 years since the historic demonstration in support of environmental protections that became known as Earth Day. As time marches on, a new generation of activists is emerging. Though well-intentioned, popular narratives often fail to address a key factor in the equation: people. Environmental issues affect us all. Something you might not guess with campaigns focused on climate change, wildlife habitats, fossil fuels, and deforestation. It’s not that those issues don’t matter–they do! It’s that people are often left out of those narratives, or they become villains in planet vs. people reductionist arguments.
Did you know that communities of color are disproportionately impacted by climate change? Climate vulnerable nations across the Global South face rising sea levels, shrinking coastlines, flooding, food, and economic insecurity. Despite the fact that western nations have historically been responsible for 80% of greenhouse gas emissions, the Global South is the most affected by climate change. And yet, western countries continue to shape the agenda and receive the majority of research funding.
In the U.S., few environmental organizations are focused on climate justice. Meanwhile, communities of color are more likely to be impacted by chemical, water, and air pollution, drought, extreme heat, and catastrophic flooding.
So why are communities of color so often sidelined in environmental movements?
It’s important to talk about climate change and climate justice in the same breath. It’s vital that environmental movements center on the communities, leadership, and people who are most impacted by climate change. This Earth Day, we hope you join us in amplifying the work of so many BIPOC-, gender minority- and LGBTQ-led organizations that are leading people-centered environmental initiatives. I am inspired by their stories and look to their leadership to shape how I view the future of environmental activism.
I spoke with Diversify Outdoors Member Hillarie Maddox, a writer and gardener who’s helping more women and People of Color get involved in gardening, and to Melanin Base Camp founder, Danielle Williams about what Diversify Outdoors means to them this Earth Day. For Danielle, Earth Day is about being a part of something bigger than yourself. She believes that organizations coming together as a collective is a powerful statement. Celebrating others’ accomplishments is something that inspires her. She created the Diversify Outdoors platform to help people from different backgrounds mobilize around the greater cause of diversifying outdoor spaces.
She also stated that when the general public thinks about the environment, they often don’t think about people. They think about plants, animals, and the climate. However, she believes it’s impossible to create and sustain environmental movements that don’t center on communities. “Marginalized communities are facing the most disproportionate burden when it comes to global warming and climate change,” Danielle added. “And yet we are kept out of these conversations.” In fact, it’s her strongly held belief that many of the conversations around Earth Day and conservation aren’t people- or community-centered when they should be. Larger organizations that focus on the “wilderness” and wildlife while ignoring climate justice are part of the problem.
Hillarie Maddox belongs to a movement of outdoor digital influencers taking a grassroots approach to environmental issues. This includes gardening as a method to reconnect. After recognizing other Black women felt alienated from outdoor spaces, she decided to apply her learning and development background to encourage others get involved in gardening and build a more self-sufficient, sustainable lifestyles.
“Put on an audio soundtrack; there are physiological benefits to just listening to nature”
Her topics range from birdwatching to gardening to the mindset shift necessary to appreciate the outdoors. She urges those who feel like they do not belong in outdoor spaces to find and cultivate different pathways to connect with nature. “Put on an audio soundtrack; there are physiological benefits to just listening to nature,” Hillarie recommended for those who don’t have direct access to safe, local green spaces.
How can you Diversify Earth Day? Take a moment to tie environmental issues to the communities most affected by them. Did you know, Black communities in the U.S. are among the most exposed to pollution from multiple sources due to segregation, historic redlining, racially restrictive housing covenants, and continued disinvestment? To learn more, check out our Six Things To Note This Earth Day article.