Environmental Activism Is Not a Luxury, It’s Our Responsibility

There continues to be a debate over whether or not climate change is real and if the environment matters. Conservatives and leftists continue to argue about whether or not science is a fact or opinion. The truth is science is real. And we all play a pivotal role in environmental activism regardless of age, race, religion and the list goes on.

The earth is dying and every one of us has a responsibility to advocate for the longevity of our planet. The steps we take today will impact the future of the land for generations to come.

Understanding Environmental Activism as Intersectional

There is often a misconception among communities of color that environmental activism is for white people. This is because as people of color we prioritize other issues, such as racism or classism, for example. But if one looks at the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), it is evident that our identifiers and the environment are intersectional. The SDOH are defined by the US Department of Health as the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.

As a result, factors, such as air quality in urban areas, contribute to the rate of respiratory conditions among communities of color. Similarly, the number of consecutive natural disasters in a region impacts the rates of home insurance available for residents who live in those areas.

I would be lying if I said that I, too, didn’t once have a similar perspective to many people of color. I just couldn’t bother to care about the environment in the way that it felt like white people did. Caring about the environment felt like a luxury, and certainly not one that I could afford.

I believe in climate change and I partake in individual actions like recycling and reducing water usage. After learning about the SDOH, I fully understood the ways climate change disproportionately impacts communities that look like me.

Climate Change Is Everyone’s Responsibility

Environmental activism is not a luxury. It is a responsibility that not only companies have, but we all have as individuals, regardless of our identities.

As climate change impacts the globe, environmental activism continues to be an international duty. That is why it is important that we push world leaders to put the planet first. Encourage your family to make environmentally conscious choices. And advocate for your planet.

We have a duty as residents of this beautiful planet to take time to understand how to protect this land from climate change. Additionally, we have a responsibility to learn about the steps that everyone can take towards bringing awareness to the ways climate change is impacting things such as insurance, housing and so much more. It is only together that we can work towards creating a healthier planet for everyone.