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Intersectionality is a lens through which you can see where power comes and collides, where it interlocks and intersects.
In 1989, Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term "intersectionality" to But what do intersectional climate solutions look like? We've broken down 3 key intersectional solutions to get you started!
An intersectional approach to climate change understands how climate change is interlinked with other systemic problems such as colonialism and capitalism. Aspects of a person’s social and political identity (such as gender, sex, race, class, sexuality, religion, disability, etc) combines to create unique forms of oppression and privilege. The environmental movement must examine how different marginalised groups are more negatively affected by the climate crisis and ecological crisis. Interrogating your own environmental beliefs and how we might be upholding these systems is extremely important, otherwise, we will end up reproducing them. Do your own research, share with others and support better education about our colonial and racist history. It also means not just fighting for the environment, but for black lives, women’s rights, indigenous rights, LGBTQ+ rights, refugee rights, disability rights and all other inequalities.
Climate change is a global issue that needs global solutions. However, desite the fact that many of the causes of climate change come from systems based decision-making, individual and private solutions are often championed over the far more effective and far-reaching systemic solutions. Large corporations such as Big Oil have been very effective at shifting the blame and shame of the causes of climate change onto the individual. While these corporations must shoulder a lot of the burden, they are not currently capacitate to do so by the systems in which they exist and continue to grow. Individuals can of course make changes to their eating habits, transportation methods, or other related behaviour, but ultimately such actions will be futile unless large-scale changes are also carried out. Collective action will turn the tide and bring about the system changes that will truly be effective.
The environmental movement must be more inclusive and accessible. We must centre marginalised voices to ensure that their experiences are recognised, addressed and learned from. Fighting for these people and communities is not an optional ‘add-on’ - it is an essential part. Not only to support them, but also because we need them. The climate movement has so much to learn from other social movements such as the civil rights movement, the suffragettes and the LGBT rights movement. Likewise, there is also a lot to learn from Indigenous knowledge and spirituality. Moreover, diverse spaces make smarter decisions that are better for the planet.
You might be asking yourself how you can make sure your environmentalism is intersectional — that's why we've come up with a series of actions you can take, no matter what stage you are on your climate journey.
Leah Thomas first coined the term intersectional environmentalist and is an excellent educator in what the term means. She founded the Intersectional Environmentalist to help create meaningful, inclusive and sustainable change. To learn more, you can follow the Intersectional Environmentalist Instagram page, listen to it’s podcasts, or even buy Leah Thomas’ new book ‘The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet’
Read this article from Vox Meet, which introduces you to Kimberlé Crenshaw who first coined the term. The article goes into detail on the origins and nuances of the term, what makes it so controversial, and thus, so important as a tool to raise big questions about our society
For the Climate Crisis Film Festival 2021, we invited intersectional environmental activists to talk to us about why it matters. Listen to leaders in the movement: Isaias Hernandez, Max Moinian, Jenny Price, Joycelyn Longdon, Nadia Nazar, Suzanne Dhaliwal, Marlow Baines, and Jade Begay.
To combat Instagram algorithms biases and support the work of intersectional environmentalist activists; create notifications, share their work, and support them on alternative platforms such as patron.
Liberation for people and the planet is needed to address climate change. To begin, watch Episode 4 of The Breakdown to understand how other social justice issues are interconnected with climate change. Then take action by joining or supporting other social justice movements.
The climate crisis is a huge, global problem that we cannot hope to solve individually. We must collaborate and create inclusive activist spaces to allow diverse interests and skills to be utilised in the climate movement. Listen to this episode on the Yikes Podcast about gatekeeping activism and creating collective change.
The Outdoor Oath aims to make nature and the outdoors a more inclusive space. It’s a learning community that helps you develop your personal roadmap to take action for the people and the planet.
‘All We Can Save‘ was born out of a longing for climate leadership that is justice-centered, heart-centered, and rooted in the work and wisdom of women. To deepen dialogue and support connection, learn how to facilitate a Circle workshop.
