It’s Fashion Week in New York City, but there’s one subject not getting enough attention: the plight of garment workers. 

In pursuit of the latest trends, we often overlook the true cost of fast fashion – a cost paid in sweat, suffering, and silenced voices of garment workers across the globe. Millions of workers are trapped in a relentless cycle of exploitation, fueling an industry that depends on their labor but ignores their rights. Fast fashion is one of the most labor-intensive industries, with each piece of clothing handmade along a complex supply chain that stretches across countries in the global south such as Bangladesh, India, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. These nations and others supply low-cost labor that fast fashion demands.   

The industry employs approximately 60 million factory workers worldwide yet less than 2% earn a living wage. Garment workers endure unsafe conditions, wage theft, exhausting hours, minimal pay, and gender-based harassment. The global exploitation in the garment industry was thrust into the spotlight in 2013, following the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh.   

The Rana Plaza disaster was the deadliest industrial incident in the history of the garment industry. On April 24^th, 2013, the eight-story building collapsed, killing 1,134 people and injuring thousands. Survivors recounted distressing stories, with many forced to sacrifice limbs to survive.  Just a day before, large structural cracks were discovered, prompting the immediate closure of shops on the lower floors. Despite warnings to avoid the building, garment factory owners on the upper floors ordered workers to return the next day. The collapse of Rana Plaza shocked the world and highlighted deadly conditions in many garment factories.   

As the industry has changed, fashion brands have shifted their supply chain model from one based on trust and innovation to one based on mistrust and punishment, using punitive tactics to meet quotas. The modern fashion supply chain is designed for maximum efficiency and speed, driving huge profit margins for brands at the expense of workers. These coercive practices include demanding the lowest possible prices while placing large orders, setting unrealistic turnaround times, and switching suppliers whenever another factory can do the job for less.   

This shift exacerbated issues like wage theft, which became particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when brands canceled $40 billion worth of completed orders, leading to mass factory closures and layoffs. A study published by Sheffield University found that during the pandemic, wages dropped by an average 11% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Many workers were left without pay for weeks or even months, further deepening their poverty. One worker in India summarized the desperation many felt, stating “We are here basically to earn and survive.”  Factory closings left over a million garment workers – mostly women, including many single mothers – laid off or fired. The result was a surge in food insecurity, gender-based violence and homelessness. The systemic issues in the garment industry, such as weak labor regulations and lack of enforcement, have only worsened these conditions, allowing brands to continue exploiting vulnerable workers without consequence.   

This exploitation disproportionately impacts women, who make up approximately 75% of garment workers, primarily aged 18 to 35. When it comes to garment manufacturing in the global south, the clothes we wear often come at the cost of women’s dignity and safety. Gender discrimination is pervasive in all countries where garments are produced. Women are frequently subjected to verbal and physical abuse, as well as sexual harassment, often in unregulated factories where workplace violence goes unchecked.  

 A 2018 report from Global Labor Justice found that violence and harassment on a continuum of unacceptable behaviors and practices against women is based on their gender, affects women disproportionately, and can include physical, mental or sexual harm or suffering and threats, coercion and deprivations of liberty.  The Clean Clothes Campaign reported that Indonesian women working in factories are often harassed by male managers who demand sexual favors in exchange for job security, threatening the women with termination if they refuse. These incidents are part of a broader pattern of systemic abuse, perpetuated by weak enforcement of labor laws and the prioritization of profit over human rights.   

The exploitation of garment workers is glaringly evident in Bangladesh, a country heavily reliant on the industry. An Oxfam report reveals that 91% of Bangladeshi garment workers struggle to afford enough food for themselves and their families and 25% face some form of abuse. Despite the garment sector contributing nearly 16% to the nation’s GDP, and 84% of the nation’s exports, workers remain poorly paid.  

In late 2023, widespread protests over inadequate wages resulted in the death of at least four garment workers and the imprisonment of over 100 workers and advocates, due to the violence from the government. Although the Bangladeshi government responded by raising the minimum wage by 56% to $113 per month, this amount falls short of the $210 monthly living wage unions say is required to lift workers out of poverty, and still well below what the Institute of Labour Studies in Bangladesh calculates would be a living wage of $302.  As of August 2024, the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has fled Dhaka after recent uprisings involving a student movement that has included the issue of unfair pay for garment workers. While most of those that were previously arrested have been released on bail, there are still several that have been denied bail and thousands are threatened by unnamed arrest warrants being circulated that are meant to intimidate workers and create a climate of fear.  

International labor standards, established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) promote fair labor practices globally. These standards encompass crucial areas such as “freedom of association, the elimination of forced labor, and the prohibition of child labor”. However, enforcing these standards is up to the governments of countries where factories are located, and this requires resources such as labor inspectors and effective judicial systems. Unfortunately, many governments either lack the capacity or fail to enforce these laws adequately.   

Beyond governmental responsibility, companies sourcing from these countries must ensure their suppliers adhere to these standards. Yet, only 1% of brands disclose how many of their garment workers earn a living wage. It’s evident that neither the governments nor the companies are taking adequate action, as they continue to prioritize profits over the safety and fair compensation of workers. There is, however, hope. Legislative efforts to force transparency and hold brands accountable for the treatment and pay of garment workers are being implemented.  Follow EARTHDAY.ORG’s Legislation Tracker to learn about the newest regulations instituted in the United States, Europe and around the world.

Consumers also play a crucial role in upholding labor standards. By making informed purchasing decisions and supporting brands that are transparent about their labor practices, consumers can pressure companies to prioritize fair treatment for workers. Researching brands through resources like the Fashion Transparency Index or supporting ethical and sustainable fashion initiatives can make a significant impact.  The choices we make about where to shop carry a collective responsibility that impacts workers’ lives.  You can further contribute to this cause by signing EARTHDAY.ORG’s The Fashion Industry Must Change petition that calls for stronger protections for garment workers.   

This article was updated on 9/12/2025

The post Beneath the Seams: The Human Toll of Fast Fashion appeared first on Earth Day.

This World Listening Day, we are tuning in to listen to the communities disproportionately impacted by climate change. 

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), environmental justice means ensuring that all people, regardless of income, race, color, or national origin, have meaningful involvement in and fair treatment by environmental laws, regulations, and policies. This concept recognizes that environmental hazards often disproportionately affect certain communities. Climate justice is a related idea that focuses specifically on the fair treatment of people and communities regarding the impacts of climate change, rather than environmental issues more broadly.

Regarding climate change specifically, disadvantaged groups also often face a “triple injustice”: they contribute the least to greenhouse gas emissions, benefit the least from climate actions, and are most vulnerable to impacts. 

But there are possible solutions. For example shifting workforce demography to better serve vulnerable communities. Diversifying the environmental workforce helps to better reflect and serve vulnerable communities. This approach builds trust and improves communication with the communities most impacted by environmental injustices. For instance, programs that recruit, train, and retain workers from underrepresented groups help ensure that they have a real voice. Plus, they benefit from new green job opportunities, ensuring equity is at the forefront of green initiatives and citizens’s deliberation processes. Other solutions include listening to specific groups, like Indigenous communities, to better understand sustainable practices that date back centuries and have pedigree. 

Back to Basics: Indigenous Practices Work

“Interconnectedness”, the deep relationship between people and Earth, is central to why Indigenous peoples are ideal stewards of the land. This sense of connection fosters positive environmental emotions and supports  practices, in contrast to colonial and capitalistic ideals, which prioritise exploitation and profit over a duty of care. Institutional barriers, such as systemic racism, have historically marginalized Indigenous voices and hindered broader adoption of these sustainable approaches.

An example of listening to indigenous people successfully can be seen with the Māori of Aotearoa in New Zealand. Although historical tensions have made them cautious about the national government’s long-term commitment, the Māori have collaborated well with local governments. Guided by their connection to the sea (moana), land (whenua), and sky (rangi), the Māori stewards (kaitiaki) have focused on restoring the environment by cleaning waterways and reintroducing native plants.

Other practices can be found in South America in the form of milpa, a millennium-old agricultural system used in the Yucatán which is essential for forest conservation. With milpa, multiple rotating crops allow for natural forest regeneration, which promotes diverse environments for countless species. 

Meanwhile, Aboriginal people in Australia have long practiced controlled burns called “cool” or “cultural burning” to promote biodiversity and prevent wildfires. These low-intensity burns also manage vegetation and reduce fuel loads.

While leaders acknowledged the essential role of Indigenous Peoples in climate action at COP26, with a $1.7 billion pledge by governments and private philanthropies, more inclusion is necessary. 

People With Disabilities Are Integral Voices

As oceans rise and forests burn, millions of people are displaced by climate change. But while the fortunate few can relocate and start anew, thousands are left behind. And this struggle is exacerbated for people with disabilities (PWDs), who represent 15% of the global population. 

In fact, those with disabilities are four times as likely to perish due to climate disasters. Thus, they are best equipped to propose strategies and remove barriers, which makes their inclusion in legislation vital.

Specifically, this knowledge is essential for expanding educational opportunities, understanding the impacts of climate change on disabled people, increasing their inclusion in decision-making and access to information, and empowering them to know and exercise their rights. Furthermore, addressing three key leverage points—re-connect, re-structure and re-think—can foster more sustainable and inclusive relationships.

Finally, by including and focusing on the capabilities of PWDs we can help eliminate discrepancies and victimization, while at the same time addressing the intersectionality essential for the nuances of climate justice. All of this provides a pathway of sustainability that would not be possible without accurate representation. 

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Environmental Impact

A study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) projects that Black and African Americans are 40% more likely to live in areas with the highest increases in temperature-related deaths if global temperatures rise by 2 degrees Celsius. The same study found that Latinos and Hispanics are 43% more likely to live in regions where extreme heat will cause the greatest reductions in labor hours. These disparities highlight how climate change impacts different communities unevenly, with minority populations facing greater health and economic risks from rising temperatures. 

This environmental injustice is deeply rooted in institutional racism. Beginning with slavery in the U.S., land, water, and other systems were disrupted to exploit both the land and people of color. 

After slavery, discriminatory policies such as redlining, exclusion from land ownership, and segregation confined Black communities to polluted and underserved areas. These practices limited economic opportunities and access to clean environments. 

Today, people of color continue to face subtle forms of discrimination, such as microaggressions, that undermine their knowledge and participation in climate and environmental decision-making. This ongoing marginalization contributes to the persistence of environmental disparities affecting these communities.

Solutions

It is clear inclusion and equity across the board is necessary to achieve environmental and climate justice and help all of us mitigate climate change. Such perspectives and knowledge also help ensure that those part of multiple undeserved groups are represented. Often these individuals or groups face more complicated impacts, due to the intersection of injustices. For example, women with disabilities face compounding conditions compared to their male counterparts. Many of these issues are then further compounded for those in developing countries that have less access to vital resources and higher levels of displacement. 

Luckily, a variety of solutions are available.  For example, an ongoing community-owned solar cooperative in Sunset Park is the first of its kind in New York. The utility is owned by the community, and therefore so is the energy it generates.

Citizen Assemblies in the Global South and at the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) are paving the way for more voices at the table. The permanent Global Citizens’ Assembly for People and Planet includes a bottom-up and top-down structure that puts people ahead of politicians, allowing millions of citizens to lead the way for change.  Like those with disabilities, undeserved, marginalized, and minority groups and individuals have essential input and knowledge that can  inform policies so that they adequately address all of the  issues in hand. 

However, with all this we must remember that change and knowledge cannot rest solely on the shoulders of underserved communities. Join us in writing letters to state lawmakers, pushing for a transition to clean energy. Together, we can move towards reusable energy and a just, sustainable future for all. The fight for our planet is collective, so the solutions that the battle rests on should be broad too. 

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

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July 17 marks World Day for International Justice, a day not only to defend legal rights but to confront global oppression, which includes environmental injustice. Climate change is often described as a universal threat, but in reality, it is anything but equal. Across islands, deserts, coastlines, and marginalized communities, a clear and devastating pattern emerges: those least responsible for the climate crisis are the ones suffering its most severe impacts, while those with power and wealth insulate themselves from harm. 

This isn’t a coincidence. It reflects a deeply entrenched system of global inequity. Climate change is not a great equalizer; it exacerbates systemic inequality, punishing those who did the least to cause it like the Global South. A 2023 study shows that by 2050 the Global North will owe US$192 trillion in fair reparations to the Global South for their environmental impacts.

Here are eight important ways climate change is fundamentally unfair.

1. Women, Youth, and Indigenous People Lead, but Are Left Out

Women, youth and indigenous peoples depend heavily on natural systems and are disproportionately affected by climate disasters. Yet they are often excluded from decision-making. Although young people everywhere will inherit the climate crisis, Global South youth are underrepresented in decision-making spaces like COP negotiations or international climate forums. Despite this, frontline initiatives led by women, youth and indigenous people are among the most effective climate solutions. Their exclusion from policy forums represents a profound injustice.

2. Tiny Island Nations Are Paying for the World’s Pollution

Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including Tuvalu, Kiribati, and the Maldives, contribute less than 0.03 % of global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet they are on the front lines of rising seas, extreme cyclones, saltwater intrusion, and eroding shorelines. Tuvalu, with an average elevation under 2 m, will see 50 % of Funafuti submerged by 2050, and up to 95 % by 2100. Meanwhile, Kiribati is losing land: two islets disappeared after 1999, and sea levels rose 5-11 cm in 30 years.

3. Developing Nations Drown in Debt to Adapt

Adapting to climate change, through sea walls to resilient agriculture, requires $215–387 billion annually, yet most receiving countries spend more on debt servicing. Global South debt repayments have surged, with an average of 38 % of revenue going to creditors—leaving scant funds for adaptation. Africa, meanwhile, loses as much as 5 % of GDP per year to climate shocks while receiving just 1 % of global climate finance. Calculations find that of nearly $116 billion in financing reported by rich nations in 2022, only $28–35 billion was real climate finance, and just $15 billion aimed at adaptation.

4. Wealthy Nations Buy Protection—Others Are Left Exposed

High-income countries often cushion disasters with insurance, relief packages, and rebuilding funds. Low-income nations lack such safety nets. In 2022, Pakistan—which emits under 1 % of global emissions—suffered devastating floods killing over 1,200 people and causing losses exceeding $40 billion. By contrast, wealthy states can mobilize trillions to rebuild after similar catastrophes.

5. Fossil Fuel Corporations Profit While People Suffer

Oil and gas companies continue extracting record profits – $2.7 trillion in 2023, or ~$6.6 billion daily – while communities in extraction zones endure polluted air, contaminated water, and high cancer rates. Indigenous communities in the Niger Delta, for example, live under constant threat of oil spills, health crises, and destroyed livelihoods.

6. Climate Migration Is Punished, Not Protected

Rising seas, droughts, and floods displace millions. Yet the 1951 Refugee Convention doesn’t recognize climate as a cause, meaning many climate migrants fall outside refugee protections. Instead of welcoming them, countries like those in the EU, U.S., and Australia respond with deterrence, border fortification, and criminalization. Meanwhile, the emissions fueling their decision to flee originated far from their homes.

7. Climate Colonialism in Land Use and Conservation

Efforts to “offset” emissions through tree planting and conservation sometimes displace Indigenous peoples or rural farmers under the guise of green development. From REDD+ schemes to carbon markets, large-scale land grabs are often driven by Global North companies seeking to “balance” their emissions, creating new forms of climate colonialism.

8. Disaster Response Is Racialized and Unequal

In wealthier nations, disaster relief and recovery often prioritize refugee‑hosting donor nations & strategic partners. Internationally, Global South countries face delayed aid, restrictive conditions, or denial of support altogether. For example, Haiti’s repeated requests for post-earthquake and climate-related recovery funds have been met with donor fatigue and bureaucratic roadblocks.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Across islands, deserts, coastlines, and marginalized communities, a clear and devastating pattern emerges: those least responsible for the climate crisis are the ones suffering its most severe impacts, while those with power and wealth insulate themselves from harm. This isn’t a coincidence—it reflects a deeply entrenched system of global inequity. 

On World Day for International Justice, it’s essential to spotlight this imbalance and recognize that meaningful climate action must go beyond carbon metrics; it must confront and correct these injustices. That means canceling climate debt so adaptation doesn’t fall on those already suffering; holding polluters accountable through enforceable legal responsibility; delivering real, unconditional finance that prioritizes grants over loans; and centering frontline voices, especially women, Indigenous peoples, and Global South leaders, in decision-making and resource allocation. Climate justice is not an act of charity, it is a matter of fairness, dignity, and survival. Until the global community recognizes it as such, the planet’s most vulnerable will continue to bear the heaviest burden for a crisis they did not create.

One way that you can take action to support environmental justice and global health is by signing the Global Plastics Treaty. Every signature helps reduce plastic pollution; a major threat to ecosystems, biodiversity, climate, and human well-being. Your voice matters, and collective action can drive meaningful change. 

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org. Want more articles? Follow us on substack.

The post 8 Ways Climate Change is Unjust, and Why It Matters on World Day for International Justice appeared first on Earth Day.

Juneteenth is a day symbolizing the end of slavery in America, but it is also about the ongoing fight for black equity.  As we commemorate Juneteenth, it is imperative for us all to address the persistent environmental injustices that disproportionately affect Black communities across the United States.  

After nearly 340 years of slavery and 90 years of legally sanctioned segregation, Black families and communities continue to face the enduring legacies of systemic racism, which manifests in environmental injustice, economic inequality, and health disparities. 

Here’s the Proof

More than half of the people who live close to hazardous waste in America are people of color, 

and they are more likely to die of environmental hazards, like exposure to polluted air, drinking contaminated water over a sustained period of time, or living next to toxic landfills and industrial facilities. Communities of color have routinely been treated as nothing short of sacrifice zones, where the health and well-being of residents are deemed expendable in the name of industrial development, fossil fuel infrastructure, and economic gain.

The stretch between Baton Rouge and New Orleans in Louisiana is infamously known as 

“Cancer Alley” as it is home to over 200 petrochemical facilities, which pollute the local air, land, and water supply with toxins. Predominantly Black communities in the area face heightened cancer risks, birth defects and respiratory illnesses. Some regions experience cancer rates up to 50 times the national average.

A Historical Snapshot of Environmental Injustice in the United States

In 1982, Warren County, North Carolina became the focal point for environmental justice activism when plans emerged to locate a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) landfill in the predominantly Black community of Afton. Despite protests, the landfill was constructed. Still, the movement galvanized national attention to the all too real issue of environmental racism.

“Asthma Alley” in the South Bronx of New York City is characterized by a high concentration of Black and Latino residents who endure some of the country’s worst air quality. Heavy traffic, with nearly 15,000 trucks commuting through the Bronx every day, and industrial activities contribute to the pollution.o

In certain neighborhoods, 20% of children have asthma. In fact, asthma hospitalization rates among children here are more than five times the national average and 21 times more than in other NYC neighborhoods. 

In 2014, Flint, Michigan, switched its water source to the Flint River to save money. However, the city did this without implementing adequate corrosion control measures or properly testing the water. This oversight saw lead leaching from aging pipes directly into an already contaminated water supply, exposing the majority of Black residents to elevated lead levels. 

Lead exposure is associated with severe health issues, including cognitive impairments in children and kidney problems in adults. By the 2019-2020 school year, Flint’s special education enrollment rose to 28%, surpassing the national average of 15%. Despite national attention, Flint’s water infrastructure challenges persist to this day. 

Cheraw, South Carolina’s predominantly Black community, faced serious health risks due to polychlorinated biphenyl, from a former manufacturing plant. Burlington Industries disposed of PCBs in a creek behind the plant as recently as the 1970s. Hurricane Florence in 2018 exacerbated the issue, spreading toxins into homes and public spaces like playgrounds. The EPA has undertaken cleanup efforts that may be ongoing for the foreseeable future, but this incident underscores how vulnerable marginalized communities are hurt first by industrial chemical pollution that is then exacerbated by the impacts of climate change and extreme weather.

One of the oldest most neglected water systems in America is in Jackson, Mississippi. The aging infrastructure has led to an ongoing water crisis that disproportionately affects the city’s predominantly Black population. 

In 2022, the crisis escalated when days of heavy rainfall overwhelmed the main water treatment plant, causing it to almost crumble. As a result, thousands of residents were left without running water for days. Long lines formed across the city as people struggled to access bottled water, food, and basic sanitation. Today, many Jackson residents still face intermittent water outages and are often required to boil their water to ensure it is safe to use.

In 2008, a catastrophic failure at the Kingston Fossil Plant in Tennessee released over a billion gallons of coal ash slurry into 300 acres of surrounding community. Over 4 million cubic yards of the toxic waste were transported to a landfill 300 miles away in the predominantly Black community of Uniontown, Alabama. Many of the people who helped clean up the spill in Tennessee later suffered from lung cancer, leukemia, and brain cancer. Residents of Uniontown in Alabama have since reported health issues linked to the ash shipped into their community, including respiratory problems and cancer. However, the ash is classified as non-hazardous under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, so the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was not obligated to protect the town’s residents from exposure to it. 

East Chicago, Indiana, residents, primarily from underrepresented communities, face significant health risks such as cancer due to industrial pollution from nearby steel factories. The EPA has identified facilities that disposed of the most harmful chemicals in their surrounding environment in a 2019 report, which means it is probably not surprising that Indiana ranked first for having the most pollution released per square mile in the Midwest. The cities of East Chicago and Gary were the most polluted.

In the Black and Latino community of Pahokee, Florida, the process of pre-harvest sugarcane burning releases ash known locally as “black snow”. This particulate matter poses significant health risks, including respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, and increased cancer risk. Residents have long advocated for cleaner harvesting methods to protect their health and the environment. However, the economic benefits of placing the sugarcane facilities in these areas have been prioritized over their health. 

What Do We Do?

The solution is to invite the same people and the same communities dealing with these increased pollution risks for ideas on solutions, on what needs to change. When they are included in these critically important  conversations, the solutions are more real, more creative, and more fair.

Because this systemic pattern of inflicting pollution on Black communities is not coincidental; it’s the result of decades of discriminatory decision-making. To address environmental injustice, ensure that all communities, especially those overburdened by pollution, receive equal protection and enforcement of environmental laws. This involves strengthening regulations and ensuring they are applied equitably. We also need to amplify the voices of frontline communities and ensure they have meaningful power in shaping policies that affect their lives. Finally, true justice means investing in clean air, safe water, and healthy housing for all, not just the privileged few.

To take action against plastic pollution, visit our End Plastics campaign page, where you can sign the Global Plastics Treaty, write a letter to your representative demanding stronger federal policies against plastic pollution, or find a cleanup near you.

For more information, read more about the impacts of plastic in our factsheets and reports. 

The post Juneteenth: A Snapshot of Past and Present Environmental Racism appeared first on Earth Day.

The very first Earth Day back in 1970 was the largest civic demonstration in history, when 20 million people across America demanded action to protect the environment. As influential as that day was, it was not critic-free. Back then, some Black activists felt that it took attention away from the racial injustice movement that was also growing across the nation, and lamented that a new movement was diverting attention away from it. 

Calls for racial justice and equity have not stopped since then, but now Black environmentalists are making their mark in the ‘green’ movement too, and are finding an important way of dovetailing the two causes. Environmental racism acknowledges climate change and pollution can have disproportionately harmful social, economic, and public health impacts on marginalized populations. 

Communities of color are much more likely to be targeted as sites for factories and hazardous waste manufacturing. A landmark study from 1987 discovered that race, not income, was the biggest factor in determining where these sorts of industrial facilities were situated.  White families with under $10,000 in annual income are far less likely to find themselves living next to a plastic factory than a Black family with an income of $50,000. Living near hydraulic fracturing wells, exposure to airborne toxins like benzene as well as harmful gasses like nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, even your proximity to landfills sites — all of these factors increase for non-white families. 

Which is why it is critically important to acknowledge the unique obstacles faced by these communities and the young environmentalists of color who are fighting to have their voices heard. This Black History Month, we recognize four Black environmentalists, under 30 years old, who are inspiring change.

Leah Thomas

Leah Thomas, originally from St. Louis, now resides in Southern California. She describes herself as an “intersectional environmental activist” who is exploring the relationship between social justice and environmentalism. 

In 2022, she was named by Time Magazine as a Time 100 Next Generation Leader. Known as Green Girl Leah on social media, she advocates for the voices of people of color to be present in the environmental movement and beyond. She has created resources for information on the subject of inequity as well as launching successful work-shops while emphasizing that “diversity and inclusion and environmentalism is very joyful.”

Leah is the author of the book The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People & Planet and with over 250,000 followers on instagram under the handle @greengirlleah, she truly has become a force to be reckoned with in the fight for environmental justice. As Leah says, “We can’t save the planet without uplifting the voices of its people, especially those most often unheard.”

Mikaela Loach

Mikaela Loach, born in Jamaica but raised in Great Britain, is the best selling author of It’s Not That Radical: Climate Action to Transform Our World. A medical student at Edinburgh University, she is one of the brightest and most vocal young leaders in the fight for environmental justice. In 2020, Mikaela was named by Forbes as one of the most influential women in the UK climate movement, as well as being lauded by Global Citizen and named on BBC radio’s prestigious Woman’s Hour, power List. 

Mikaela, often clad in her favorite bright pink outfits, is not afraid to speak truth to power  — even when it might be uncomfortable. She is radically opposed to billionaire philanthropists trying to save the planet while still benefiting from the industries which are actively destroying it.  Speaking at a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation conference, she felt compelled to share these views.  In Mikaela’s own words: To transform the world — rather than just sticking a band-aid on it — we have to address and disrupt the systems that create oppression in the first place. Philanthrocapitalism doesn’t do that”. 

Michaela is both fearless but welcoming — she encourages a fully inclusive form of activism. In 2021, she famously started taking the British government to court for subsidizing the fossil fuel industry. 

Genesis Butler

Genesis Butler has been an animal activist since the age of six, but she pivoted to fighting for the environment when she realized the devastating impact that animal agriculture had not just on the animals themselves but also on our planet. At the age of 16 years old, Genesis became a vegan. Genesis actively fundraises for animal sanctuaries and advocates for the ‘food’ and ‘lab test’  animals that many of us often forget about such as cows, goats, dogs, mice, rats, sheep and chickens. 

She is one of the youngest people to ever give a TEDx Talk entitled, “A 10 Year Old’s Vision for Healing the Planet,” She used a disarming mix of humor and facts to engage her audience in the connection between animal based agriculture and climate change.  Activism is clearly in her DNA, her great-uncle was civil rights leader Cesar Chavez. Chavez co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which united with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to become the United Farm Workers Labor Union. So, while her famous great uncle fought for farm laborer’s rights, his incredible great niece is fighting for farm animals.   She is currently working as an ambassador for EARTHDAY.ORG’s Foodprints for the Future, calling for us all to fight climate change with dietary change. 

Genesis is committed to giving all young people a platform. To that end she presently leads the Youth Climate Save movement, the first youth-led environmental organization that is focused on animal agriculture’s impact on climate change.

Vic Barrett

Vic Barrett’s message is clear: Climate change isn’t just about temperatures and weather, it’s about people. Our earth will be here for millennia, it’s up to us to decide if humanity will be too.

Vic’s climate activism began after his low-lying hometown, White Plains in New York, was impacted by Hurricane Sandy back in 2012. He got to experience first hand the damage a Category 3 ‘super’ hurricane can inflict — his neighborhood lost power and his school and local transport system shut down. While Sandy may be long gone, his home town is still facing the ever-present risk of rising sea levels and frequent storm surges. Motivated by what he experienced firsthand, he became active in the environmental movement at his high school and he hasn’t stopped since. 

Vic spoke in Paris at the UN’s Cop 21, is a plaintiff in the Juliana v. United States lawsuit against the US government for failing to protect the climate for future generations. He marched with 400,000 at the Peoples’ Climate March in New York City, he has attended the World Economic Forum — the list goes on. But Vic’s mantra is not to lecture young people about being at the negotiating table or striving to make UN speeches. Instead, he wants to encourage them to look for what it is they care about and then do something about it. Vic advocates for young people to find a way to make a difference in their own community. He is currently working to involve students of color in environmental activism and is a Fellow with the Alliance for Climate Education. He is an undergraduate at UW-Madison.

EARTHDAY.ORG thanks all of these incredible environmental justice leaders and beyond for their work and for their vision. We need everyone to join together to fight for the health of our planet and for the survival and health of all the creatures that call Earth home. We need ALL communities to feel welcomed and heard in this powerfully important ‘green’ movement. EARTHDAY.ORG sees you all, we hear you all. We are with you all.

The post Visionary Black Environmentalists Making A Difference appeared first on Earth Day.

The plastics industry is powerful, all-encompassing, and inequitable. The industrial money-making machine contributes heavily to the way consumerism operates, but has deep institutional effects spreading beyond the evident environmental consequences. As a result of a history of redlining and gentrification as well as zoning policies, plastic-producing facilities in the US tend to be located near low-income communities of color, predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods, who are exposed to various health concerns such as asthma and cancer. 

Black people are 75% more likely to live in fence-line communities adjacent to industrial zones. Moreover, most residents in fence-line communities are low-income and thus have little political or economic power to fight back against these large corporations. Decades of historical practices such as redlining — a discriminatory act in which governments labeled Black neighborhoods as risky for real estate investments — have trapped residents in a long-lasting cycle of environmental injustice. 

From extracting to transferring to refining, each step of plastic production adversely affects nearby neighborhoods. The process of fracking, or drilling into the ground to extract oil, can result in groundwater contamination and the pipelines built to transfer the oil has the potential to rupture, causing hazardous fires and toxic spillages. 

Furthermore, facilities transforming oil into gas and gas into plastic release large amounts of toxic chemicals into the air, bombarding nearby residents with health issues ranging from cancer, respiratory diseases, and asthma to childhood leukemia, development concerns, and miscarriages. In fact, black children are disproportionately impacted by air pollution, as around 13% of black children have asthma compared to 7% of white children.

A prime example of these injustices is Cancer Alley, Louisiana: an 85-mile stretch between Baton Rouge and New Orleans that is home to 150 plastic and chemical plants and oil refineries with the highest cancer rates in the country. Black residents throughout this stretch bear an unequal amount of air pollution and are subjected to dangerous levels of carcinogens by simply walking into their backyards.

The plastics industry continues its reign in Louisiana, with Formosa Plastics announcing construction of a new $9.4 billion factory in St. James Parish, where 87% of the residents are Black. Despite Formosa officials arguing this site was chosen due to its remoteness and emphasizing their promises to comply with all state and federal requirements regarding air pollution, it will only add to the preexisting inequitable concentration of toxic industries in the area. 

In 2050, The International Energy Agency predicts 50% of the growth in oil demand will be related to plastics production. The production of plastic has already harmed low-income communities of color for decades. It is long overdue for environmental justice to be served. EARTHDAY.ORG’s theme for this year’s Earth Day, “Invest In Our Planet,” calls on everyone to do their part in taking action against the climate crisis. Be a part of a movement working towards ending plastic pollution, transitioning to a fair, green economy.

The post How Plastic Creates Injustice appeared first on Earth Day.

EARTHDAY.ORG’s aim is to shed light on the contributions and perspectives of Black environmentalists, highlighting their all too often-overlooked role in the fight for environmental justice and the need for greater representation and inclusion in mainstream environmental movements.

Black environmentalists have been at the forefront of the fight for a sustainable and just future for decades. Inclusion, diversity, and equity are vital to the environmental movement, and it is necessary to continue to uplift voices of color. From grassroots organizers fighting for better environmental policies to scholars studying the intersectionality of race and environment, Black environmentalists are making significant strides in building a more equitable and sustainable world. 

Below are some of the key Black figures in the environmental movement and the important work they are doing to build a better future for current and future generations. 

• Robert D. Bullard

Often referred to as the father of the environmental justice movement, Bullard began his work fighting environmental inequalities in the 1970s. Bullard coined the term environmental racism, which refers to the disproportionate amount of environmental hazards that people of color face. Author, professor, and now member of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, Bullard has dedicated his life towards securing a more equitable world.

• Mari Copney

The youngest on the list at 15 years old, Copney is widely known for her work with the Flint water crisis. Commonly known as “Little Miss Flint,” Copney gained notoriety after writing a letter to President Barack Obama leading him to approve $100 million to help with the city’s water crisis. 

Copney continues to be an advocate for marginalized communities. From donating backpacks and school supplies to kids to working with Hyrdoviv to create and distribute filters for those without drinkable water, Copney is an inspiration to anyone who wants to better their community.

• Wawa Gatheru 

Activist, Rhodes scholar, public speaker, writer, and nonprofit founder, Gatheru is busy making the world a better place. Black Girl Environmentalist (BGE), Gatheru’s nonprofit, focuses on empowering Black girls, women, and non-binary people within the environmental movement. BGE recognizes different groups have unique experiences within the climate movement, and works to create spaces where those who often feel excluded can have a voice and build community with each other.

• Leah Thomas 

Author of ​​The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet, Thomas is dedicated to educating people on the importance of intersectionality within the climate movement. Thomas aims to teach people you cannot separate the earth from its inhabitants. In fact, she believes to save one you must save them all. 

A better world is an equitable world. EARTHDAY.ORG’s Vote Earth campaign seeks to make an impact by encouraging people to vote for leaders that want to build a more sustainable and equitable future.

The post 4 Black Environmentalists Fighting for Equity appeared first on Earth Day.

Lately, I feel bombarded with report after report of environmental- and climate-related disasters. News about rising sea levels or deteriorating air quality is disparaging enough on its own, yet something even more sinister is lurking behind the destruction. Racial minority groups are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation, and this disparity is no coincidence; it is another example of how racial biases cause real-world inequity and injustice.

This specific kind of injustice is so common it has its own term: environmental racism. Known as the “Father of Environmental Justice,” Robert D. Bullard defines environmental racism as, “Any policy, practice or directive that differentially affects or disadvantages (where intended or unintended) individuals, groups or communities based on race.” While not officially defined until the 1990s, this kind of discrimination has been happening for decades. In fact, the first documented environmental protest by a minority community happened in 1968, after a sewage treatment plant was forcibly placed in West Harlem. 

Much like climate change, environmental racism acts as a silent killer. From the damage caused to Indigenous communities by fossil fuel mining, to Black and Brown people dying from heat stress at alarmingly higher rates than white people, the inequities are clear and hiding in plain sight.

Adding insult to injury, many of the corporations responsible for this damage find ways to avoid making full reparations. Evidence shows fines for breaking environmental laws in minority communities are lower than the fines for those same offenses committed in predominantly white neighborhoods. One study shows this disparity still holds true regardless of annual income. In fact, minority communities also experience higher levels of air pollution, regardless of their tax bracket.

Despite the overwhelming evidence of systemic, environmental racism, it continues to persist. In fact, just a couple of months ago, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began an investigation into Colorado and its major polluters. The investigation stemmed from accusations of discriminatory air pollution regulations negatively affecting Hispanic communities.

It is difficult to hear about large-scale systemic injustices without feeling discouraged. Racism is so deeply embedded in our society it can often feel like there is no solution. Luckily, there is more hope than ever as groups ranging from grassroots organizations to the federal government are developing plans to push for environmental equity across minority groups. One notable example from the Biden Administration is the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to support historically disadvantaged communities and works towards remedying environmental injustice. 

As we strive to create a more equitable world, it is essential to recognize a clean, safe environment as a fundamental human right, not a privilege afforded based on a certain race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. Electing leaders who believe and fight for this is one way to stand in solidarity with those disproportionately affected by climate change or other environmental problems. Join EARTHDAY.ORG in investing in our planet by pledging to Vote Earth during the next election.

The post Environmental Justice and Climate Change appeared first on Earth Day.

I’ve often thought that my queer friends are more attuned to environmental issues and more likely to act on climate change. As we celebrate Pride Month and continue our social justice efforts toward queer liberation and environmental justice, I’m considering how two movements I’m passionate about are intrinsically connected. 

Underserved Communities

It’s important to note that everyone on this planet will experience the burden of climate change if we don’t take steps to end the climate crisis.

However, minority communities, specifically BIPOC and LGBQT+ communities, are disproportionately affected by the environmental harms caused by:

• Air and water pollution
• Rising sea levels
• Food insecurity
• Plastic pollution

Yet, despite this increased risk, minority voices are more likely to be excluded from the movement.

The people who are already the most vulnerable will experience the greatest impacts of climate change. 

Climate change intersects with racism, classicism, and sexism. Low-income, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and gender minorities already experience an undue burden of marginalization, disenfranchisement, and discrimination. These communities are already underserved and are least prepared to recover from the most severe harms caused by the climate crisis. 

Disproportional Impact 

The LGBTQ+ community has a collective poverty rate of 21.6%, and the percentage is even higher for BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals. LGBTQ+ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts. Housing instability, food insecurity, and general uncertainty about overall well-being are factors that contribute to extreme poverty and homelessness. The climate crisis exacerbates all of these things. 

Due to rising sea levels and toxic air pollutants, low-income communities are becoming inhabitable. Individuals and families in these areas are vulnerable to the threat of forced migration as well as adverse health effects. Health problems that can result from increased exposure to pollutants include higher levels of asthma and cancer. 

Research already reveals that sexual minorities are at a greater risk of health disparities due to heightened social stress. Still, this study by three sociologists at the University of Texas at El Paso examines the absence of scientific research on LGBTQ+ health disparities caused by environmental exposures. 

Gender minorities and racial minorities are more likely to experience environmental hardships than other groups. Oil pipeline projects such as Dakota Access and Bayou Bridge desecrate native land and threaten two-spirit indigenous populations. 

The LGBTQ+ community is systemically and intentionally stigmatized and oppressed by many politicians and legislative changes. The powers that deny the existence of climate change, actively support the removal of the US from the Paris Agreement, and support the expansion of heavy-polluting corporations are the same powers that advocate against health care for trans individuals, gay marriage, and overall pose a threat to equal rights. 

A Hopeful Future

I don’t write this to say that the relationship between climate change and the LGBTQ+ community is always negative. In fact, quite the opposite. My experience as an environmental activist has shown the LGBTQ+ community has been and can be a leader in sustainability. 

The green stripe on the pride flag represents nature. This stripe emphasizes that being queer is in nature’s design, and that pride must support the environment. According to a 2010 Harris poll, personal commitment to environmentalism is more pronounced in the US LGBTQ+ community than in the heterosexual population.

Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man elected to public office in California in the 1970s. He championed environmental sustainability alongside his fight for gay rights. Today, many leaders in the environmental movement are proud members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

Caring about climate change is a radical part of the queer identity. We must remember that injustice against any minority, including the environment, threatens all other marginalized communities. 

Activism must support people and communities who face multiple forms of intersectional oppression and fight for the liberation of all. EARTHDAY.org is committed to combating these issues and has many resources for learning more. Check out Our Toolkits, take a quiz, use our factsheets, become an Earth Day member, and join us as we take action to end bigotry, injustice, and climate change. 

The post How climate change affects the LGBTQ+ Community appeared first on Earth Day.

The legacy of the first Earth Day in 1970 is rooted in the sweeping environmental laws and regulations that followed as a result. Much of this legislation is now under threat today. With less than one week left until the US presidential inauguration, EARTHDAY.ORG is rolling out the policy initiatives we want to see within the first 100 days of the Biden administration, by Earth Day 2021.

This blog is the tenth in our series and focuses on implementing environmental justice comprehensively into our nation’s climate response.

The announcement of Michael Regan to head EPA is good news for environmental justice. Decades of experience with environmental regulatory schemes have demonstrated that unless equity and justice are at the heart of environmental policy, any efforts to restart the federal commitment to environmental protection will be only half complete.

Many states have already recognized that environmental justice is a key component to reducing pollution, addressing the health effects of continuing and past pollution and providing for a just transition to a new energy economy. Now, the federal government promises to join arms with state and local advocates and give leadership to this effort.

Beginning with an updating of Executive Order 12898 on Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, the new administration must ensure that the basic regulatory infrastructure that dates back to the original Earth Day can address the concerns raised by the movement for environmental justice. A simple but fundamental beginning would be to get the agencies to dust off their strategic plans for implementing the Executive Order and bring them up to date.

The proposal to create a new division in the Department of Justice that has as its mandate the pursuit of environmental and climate justice is a promising initiative, but likely a non-starter in the current legislative environment. A more promising approach would be to reorganize the existing Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) to put environmental justice front and center. The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council should be charged with providing recommendations that can be pursued by executive action alone and propose amendments to the basic environmental statutes. The new focus on environmental justice in a reorganized ENRD cannot be permitted to languish like the Environmental Crimes section did as it struggled to find a coherent approach to defining and prosecuting environmental crimes.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s External Civil Rights Compliance Office must be awakened from its slumber and given the authority and incentive to enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The many good people in that office should be supported in their efforts to do what Congress intended. The full remedial power of our framework environmental laws will be complete only if they eliminate the injustice that under-enforcement has permitted to remain.

Consistent with this strategy would be a restoration of a private right of action under Title VI so that communities that are most burdened by pollution and other environmental hazards can speak for themselves and augment any efforts undertaken by the federal government. The EPA’s Office of Civil Rights can again become a partner in the long struggle to make environmental enforcement a struggle for justice. No Title VI settlement should be undertaken without a process for full consultation with the affected community and without providing a straightforward substantive remedy for Title VI discrimination.

The administration can also reform the permitting process to ensure that environmental justice concerns are not raised only after the fact. Community consultation and prioritization of environmental justice concerns must be key to elements of any permitting process. Communities that are already burdened with a heavier pollution load should not be asked to take on more.

Finally, the reality of climate change adds a dimension to achieving environmental justice that was not contemplated when the Executive Order 12898 was adopted. Environmental justice communities are and will continue to be the ones that disproportionately bear the burden of climate change. We cannot pretend this is not true, and we must act now with that knowledge in mind.

The new administration has its work cut out for it, but it has expressed a commitment to achieve environmental justice while it reduces pollution and creates a just transition to a new green energy economy. Its actions on environmental justice can leave no community behind and we must hold the administration accountable to restore justice, equity, opportunity and the earth. With the appointment of Michael Regan to lead the EPA, environmental justice may finally get its due.

In order to Restore Our Earth, climate change solutions must center and benefit those most disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation and climate change. If you want to help us fight for the protection of our environment and the education and empowerment of our citizenry, please consider becoming a member today.

The post Finally, a chance for environmental justice appeared first on Earth Day.