With Earth Day coming up on Saturday, it’s important to consider what you can do to make this word a better place environmentally, Climate change can affect the health and socioeconomic protection of Black women specifically. According to a 2017 report, one of the ramifications Black women will have to face if climate change continues is for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of warming, there is an average 14.9% increase in preterm birth. This makes the fight to keep our Earth healthy, of particular interest for Black women.
Black women have been at the forefront of social and environmental justice movements. From grassroots organizing to international policy advocacy, Black women climate activists have been working tirelessly to address the effects of global warming on marginalized communities.
Here are a few Black women climate activists you should follow this Earth Day.
Black Women Climate Activists
Tanya Fields
Tanya Fields is the founder of the Black Feminist Project. Founded in 2009, the organization raises awareness of food injustices. It also harnesses local and global food movements and provides opportunities to underserved women of color.
Jeannine Kayembe
Jeannine Kayembe is a musician and climate activist. She co-created The Urban Creators, which is an Philadelphia community ogranization. It uses food, art, and education as tools to nurture resilience and self-determination in North Philadelphia.
Leah Thomas
Leah Thomas is a climate activist who focuses on intersectional environmentalism, practical tips for reducing waste, and more. She uses her passion for writing and creativity to explore and advocate for the critical yet often overlooked relationship between social justice and environmentalism.
Genesis Butler
Genesis Butler is a young climate activist. At only 16 years old, she has founded her own nonprofit called Genesis for Animals and even had her own TED Talk. She uses her platform to share information about animal agriculture, which is one of the biggest threats to our planet.