The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet

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I really wish that the history of the environmental justice movement, in particular, was taught in my program. We learned all about the creation of Earth Day and the formation of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which occurred after the passage of environmental laws, like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. I didn’t really hear a lot about how the environmental movement really co-opted a lot of the successful protest strategies from the civil rights movement, but without the people from the civil rights movement.

Intersectional environmentalism is “an inclusive approach to environmentalist that advocates for the protection of both people and the planet” (p. 31). Intersectional environmentalism argues that “social and environmental justice are intertwined and that environmental advocacy that disregards this connection is harmful and incomplete” (p. 31). Intersectional environmentalism creates a space for all marginalized groups to be a more inclusive movement. Chapter Two — Environmental Justice: A Wider LensDisabled people are also more likely to find it difficult to get involved with activist groups and decision making. Even though it is essential that they are included in research, response and solutions to climate change, they often aren’t.

Eco-communicator Leah Thomas coined the term “intersectional environmentalism,” an inclusive form of environmentalism that advocates for the protection of people as well as the planet. Photo: Val Vega I want them to know that ‘all talk’ isn’t good enough anymore. Honestly, I’ve been really jaded with policy and these big events. I went to another climate event, and they brought the CEO of Shell onstage. I was like, this is not what I signed up for. There are a lot of corporate interests that are involved at these climate events. I would encourage world leaders to just work with on-the-ground activists before they work with Shell, for instance, and try to give them a redemption arc.

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One day I hope that when people think of an environmentalist, they'll automatically envision a person who cares very deeply about both people and planet" The insights that we already have the solutions at hand to solve our major environmental and ecological crises and that the most powerful institutions overcomplicate solutions to climate change is correct. Shell Oil, using the company named by Leah Thomas, touts an overly complicated carbon capture and storage (CCS) scheme to reduce atmospheric carbon. It’s highly debatable if CCS is effective but what is not debatable here is the naked profit ambitions by burning their petroleum candle at both ends.