We will continue to add to this page as we are able! If you have any suggestions or would like to see a specific topic covered, please email us at ASSP-ORC@spu.edu
_JPG.jpg)
INTERSECTIONAL ENVIRONMENTALISM
Intersectionality is perhaps the most essential idea in any social justice work, including environmentalism. Here at ORP, reflective of other organizations committed to working towards climate justice, we believe that justice isn't justice without intersectionality.
INTERSECTIONALITY:
For those of us unfamiliar with the term, "intersectionality" was a term developed by Kimberlé Crenshaw, a prominent civil rights advocate and Critical Race Theory scholar.
​
Intersectionality is "a lens through which you can see where power comes and collides, where it interlocks and intersects." Her concept highlights the overlapping nature of social realities and identities; everyone’s experience of the world is never just determined by one identity, but by the convergence of all of one’s identities. So when we are discussing climate justice, we must acknowledge that it has differing affects on various groups. Crenshaw initially developed this concept specifically to explain the interlocking oppression experienced by Black women in the U.S. As a result of intersectional nature of identity and power, Black communities, especially Black women, burden the worst effects of climate change.
ENVIRONMENTALISM:
While many groups have always been involved in environmental care, the first Earth Day in 1970 marked the start of the "modern environmentalist" movement. The public social consciousness and activism that defined the 60s and 70s in the U.S helped jumpstart widespread concern for environmental issues. Today, climate concerns are more pressing than ever so finding ways you can practice intersectional environmentalism are crucial!
RESOURCES
Who Else is Already Doing this Work?
Often when we are confronted with the trauma our Earth experiences and our participation in its pain, we want to jump straight to changing our individual choices or developing our own strategies for change. While this reflection and orientation towards action is essential within climate justice, we encourage you to take a step back and identify who is already doing this type of work in your community, especially those occupying marginalized social positions, and how you can participate in that work.
In order to expand our understanding of what intersectional environmentalism and participating in climate justice look like, here is a list of organizations in Seattle and surrounding areas that are already engaging with these issues. Included is also a list of some great instagram accounts to diversify your feeds and provide some educational material on climate issues.
A FEW BOOKS & ORGANIZATIONS
-
All We can Save - Edited by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Dr. Katharine Wilkinson
-
Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors - By Carolyn Finney
-
This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate - By Naomi Klein
A FEW INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS
Intersectional Environmentalist
@intersectionalenvironmentalist
This account has a collection of helpful graphics about a variety of issues connected to the climate including indigenous rights, colonialism, race, etc. It offers a good overview of many of the important layers of intersectional environmentalism.
Leah Thomas
Leah is an intersectional environmentalist, founder of @intersectionalenvironmentalist. Her accounts offer educational resources about intersectional environmentalism.
Chelsea
An environmental activist looking to increase diversity and representation in outdoor recreation. She is also a mother offering tips on how to raise children to love the outdoors and care for the earth.
Future Earth
This account offers helpful information on many intersecting issues related to the climate. It connects us to many news resources and offers facts and statistics related to climate change.
Katie Boue
Katie is a Cuban-American woman passionate about public lands and sustainability. She founded @outdooradvocacy which looks to educate people on responsible recreation and climate change, and advocate for the protection of public lands.
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Dr. Johnson is a marine biologist who researches how the health of our oceans and their wildlife is a crucial part of climate justice. She founded @oceancollectiv and @urbanocean lab. Both of these organizations work to develop solutions and policy to protect and create healthier oceans and coastal cities.