#intersectional environmentalism

[katiajewelbox]

“It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.”

― Robert Louis Stevenson

Source: Grow Your Garden Instagram page

[embodiedfutures]

[queerbrownvegan]

The US government can afford to support environmental justice, improve community health, increase quality of education, upgrade infrastructure, and provide opportunity for all.

Our leaders just choose to fund genocide instead.

[actiwitch]

i think a lot of people mistake vegans for believing themselves to be "morally superior" rather than the actual, and very reasonable stance that IF YOU HAVE THE OPTION NOT TO KILL OTHER LIVING BEINGS, YOU SHOULDN'T DO IT.

most of us can understand that it's stupid to wield "oh so you think you're morally superior" against any type of human or environmental rights activists because how do you even respond to that? sure? Because its NOT ABOUT MORAL SUPERIORITY. IT'S ABOUT NOT UNNECESARILY CAUSING HARM.

Also, an activist could be the most annoying, self righteous person on the entire planet, but their stances having NOTHING to do with that. An asshole saying "trans rights" doesn't mean you shouldn't support trans rights because an asshole said it.

PLEASE start looking at veganism like you look at any other form of activism and resistance, and consider what disinformation and propaganda you've been fed about it.

[troythecatfish]

Source: AfricaStream on YouTube

[icelebrities-socialactivism]

Week Six: Climate Justice, Food Sustainability, & Black Lives Matter

1. Who is Leah Thomas, and what happened at COP 26?

Leah Thomas is a writer, environmental activist, and founder of Intersectional Environmentalist, a platform that advocates for environmental justice by addressing the connections between social and environmental issues. She is known for promoting intersectional environmentalism, which highlights how marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by environmental problems. Thomas attended COP26 as an activist advocating for environmental justice, particularly emphasizing the need for inclusive climate policies that consider racial, social, and economic inequalities.

2. Watch the video about Harlem Grown and visit their website. Choose one key aspect of the genesis and growth of this project that inspires you. How does this initiative relate to mutual aid, community health, and sustainability?

One inspiring aspect of Harlem Grown's genesis is how it transformed a neglected urban space into a thriving community farm, fostering youth engagement and revitalizing the neighborhood. Founded by Tony Hillery, the initiative began by converting an abandoned lot into a vibrant urban farm, providing local children with hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability, and nutrition.

This initiative embodies mutual aid by actively involving community members in cultivating and sharing fresh produce, directly addressing local food insecurity. By empowering residents to participate in food production, Harlem Grown fosters a sense of ownership and solidarity. The program's focus on educating youth about healthy eating and sustainable practices contributes to improved community health outcomes. Additionally, by promoting urban agriculture, Harlem Grown enhances environmental sustainability within the community.

3. What is Intersectional Environmentalism, and how does it relate to Black Lives Matter?

Intersectional Environmentalism is an approach to environmental activism that recognizes the interconnectedness of social and environmental issues. Coined and popularized by Leah Thomas, it advocates for climate justice while addressing the systemic inequalities that disproportionately impact marginalized communities, particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Unlike traditional environmentalism, which often focuses solely on conservation and sustainability, intersectional environmentalism highlights how factors like race, economic status, and historical oppression shape people’s experiences of environmental harm. It calls for inclusive solutions that uplift communities most affected by climate change, pollution, and resource exploitation.

This concept directly relates to the Black Lives Matter movement, as both emphasize the fight against systemic racism and its consequences. Environmental racism—the disproportionate exposure of Black communities to pollution, toxic waste, and climate disasters—is a critical issue within intersectional environmentalism. For example, Black neighborhoods often suffer from higher rates of air pollution, inadequate access to green spaces, and environmental neglect due to discriminatory policies like redlining. By integrating environmental justice into racial justice movements like BLM, intersectional environmentalism ensures that the fight for Black lives includes the right to a clean, safe, and sustainable environment.

4. Who is Leah Penniman? What is Soul Fire Farm, and why is it important to the climate movement (2-3 paragraphs)?

Leah Penniman is a farmer, educator, author, and food justice activist dedicated to dismantling racism in the food system. She co-founded Soul Fire Farm, a BIPOC-centered community farm in upstate New York, with the mission of addressing food apartheid and reconnecting Black and Indigenous communities with land and agriculture. Penniman is also the author of Farming While Black, a guide to sustainable farming practices rooted in African and Indigenous traditions, aimed at empowering marginalized communities to reclaim food sovereignty.

Soul Fire Farm plays a vital role in the climate movement by promoting regenerative agriculture, a set of farming techniques that restore soil health, sequester carbon, and reduce reliance on industrial agriculture. The farm’s programs train new generations of farmers, particularly BIPOC individuals, in sustainable practices that combat climate change while addressing systemic food inequities. By advocating for policies that support land access and food justice, Soul Fire Farm is not only fighting environmental degradation but also ensuring that historically excluded communities have the resources and knowledge to lead in the fight for a sustainable future.

5. Explore "Black Forager" aka Alexis Nikole on TikTok or Instagram (@blackforager): choose a favorite post and, ideally, try the recipe! What is your experience of her content and what important issues does she raise? What elements are key to the incredible growth of her following?

I have actually been following her since the beginning of TikTok! I found her videos comforting, especially during the pandemic, when sanitizing groceries was a common occurrence.

Her content is a vibrant blend of education, entertainment, and advocacy. She raises awareness about food sovereignty, environmental sustainability, and reconnecting with nature. By highlighting the abundance of edible plants in urban and rural settings, she challenges conventional food systems and promotes self-reliance. Her joyful and approachable style makes complex botanical knowledge accessible, inspiring a diverse audience to explore the natural world around them.

Several elements contribute to the remarkable growth of her following:

Authenticity: Her genuine passion for foraging and storytelling resonates deeply with viewers.

Educational Content: She provides valuable information on plant identification and culinary uses, empowering viewers to learn and apply new skills.

Representation: As a Black woman in a field where diversity is often lacking, she brings unique perspectives and fosters inclusivity, inspiring others from underrepresented communities.

Engaging Presentation: Her use of humor, music, and relatable anecdotes creates an enjoyable learning experience that keeps audiences returning for more.

6. How do you define food sovereignty in your own life? Do you grow your own food? Do you forage? Compost? Did the pandemic change your food habits? How do you connect to the 'black gold' of soil? Have you ever volunteered at a community garden?

I wish I had the skills and time to grow my own food, and I possibly will in the near future. I never got to grow up in a household where that was the priority. I have some experience in planting flowers in school/ community gardens. I find that community gardens are also very well maintained; this is a test to the determination of the community members in creating a space that is loved and cared for.

7. One-paragraph bio on Xiye Bastida

Xiye Bastida is a Mexican-Chilean climate activist and one of the leading voices in the youth climate movement. She is an Indigenous environmental advocate and a key organizer of Fridays for Future NYC, where she has mobilized thousands in climate strikes. Born in Mexico and later relocating to New York, Bastida’s activism is deeply rooted in Indigenous environmental knowledge and the need for systemic change to address the climate crisis. She is also a co-founder of the Re-Earth Initiative, a youth-led organization promoting inclusive climate action. Through her advocacy, public speaking, and leadership, Bastida emphasizes the importance of intersectionality in the fight for climate justice, ensuring that Indigenous and marginalized voices are at the forefront of environmental solutions.

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[a-small-disgrace]

people of the world: are there any environmentally oriented events you wish you could’ve attended in university, either that did exist or didn’t exist but you wanted them to? answers please and thank you

[shesurfs]

Intrsxtn Surf

So stoked for these girlies and can't wait to join the collective!! <3

[vavuska]

Why trolls behave like lefties women are supposed to educate them? We are not their social workers or their therapist and we are not forced to bear all their insecurities and problems on our shoulders. They need professionals. Not seeking attention in inclusive and intersectional feminist or LGBTQ+ spaces. Those spaces are supposed to be safe for us all, not to be social places in which trolls are welcome to harm. Don't feed the trolls!

[queerbrownvegan]

As long as humans are alive on Earth there will be hope. Do you understand that? Even with a crisis on our doorstep, we aren’t going to roll over and give up so easily, especially not when other like our family and friends still rely on us for love.

-qbv

[bcm628-blog]

Crenshaw breaks down the idea of intersectionality and simplifies it for a universal understanding. Very inciteful.

[jewlsiverse]

To the lady I just had a conversation with on the street,

I really hope you move out of your anger and fearful mindset. It creates more division amongst us than it unites and sets our opposition firmly against us. I hope you open your eyes and compassion to others doing environmental work that’s not the same as yours; it is not a competition. We must all work together in anyway we can. I hope you grow past the idea that graduate science education is of the highest value and recognize that a masters degree does not give you an automatic superiority over others. Not everyone has access to higher education and “facts” are not more important than “social justice ideals.” They are in fact, two sides of the same coin. I hope you stop assuming that someone who cares about the intersection of social violence and climate violence is not from “a science background.” I hope you learn to recognize reality beyond numbers and graphs on a page. I hope you learn to open your ears and heart to other ideas especially from younger generations like mine. I hope you overcome the “overpopulation is the problem” and “hate to men” mindset. It reads very white supremacist and ignores how patriarchy harms everyone. I hope you stop blaming the Global South for problems we’ve pushed onto them. I hope you learn to take criticism and alternative ideas not as an attack on you or what you’re doing, but an encouragement to be and do better. I hope you continue to fight for what you believe and revel in the beauty of nature. I hope your garden has a fruitful harvest and the flowers bloom beautifully. I hope you find peace in solidarity. Finally, I sincerely hope you read The Intersectional Environmentalist like I recommended.

Best wishes,

The woman “without a science background” who’s activism “is weaker and not based in facts” (untrue)

[theexhaustedmermaid]

The South River Watershed Alliance is having an entire week of divestment for corporations supporting Cop City! They will be having toolkits and webinars all week open to everyone not just people in Atlanta!! Here's the link to either host or attend an action. We need everyone's help to Stop Cop City!!!

[highways-are-liminal-spaces]

your dad is in pearl jam? or did I understand wrongly

loool no i wish, my dad is not that cool. i was just calling them dad rock because despite it not quite being the consensus “dad rock” genre, it’s the year 2024 and whenever i tell people i follow pearl jam around they’re like “oh, my parents liked them in the 90s, they’re still alive?”

[thepeopleinpower]

Capitalism and colonialism took community away from us and I want it back. I’ve heard about it from my grandparents and in books and articles online. All throughout history and still today in some parts of the world. People looking out for each other. Regularly. Relentlessly. Neighbors watching each others children, having enough food to share and actually sharing it, being invested in each others lives because everyone has different strengths.

Today community has been strategically painted as a weakness and something to be skeptical of because it is a threat to the very foundations of capitalism. And that’s a real fucking shame because in reality, growing up with community and still having that through adulthood would probably make most people generally happier and less perpetually tired and stressed. It is renewable resilient versatile adaptable self-sustaining and kind of the Ultimate Resource.