That’s one thing I wish we would’ve talked about more. I also think bringing in social justice into environmental programs in some capacity is really important, and not just as a section or a chapter of a book, but having a whole class that is a requirement. I think that social justice is so intertwined with environmental outcomes. The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet The term began to emerge in the 1980s after the civil rights and Earth Day movements from Hazel M. Johnson and Dr. Robert Bullard. Fighting for oppressed communities is not an optional add-on to environmentalism but needs to be at the very core of it. Mostly because of course we should protect these groups but also because we need these groups within the movement: Climate activism has much to learn from history’s most successful social movements for example the civil rights movement, the suffragettes and the LGBT rights movement. Indigenous experience and wisdom gives us knowledge which can elevate and add to what we learn from science. Diverse teams have also been proven to be smarter and lead to better decisions-making, and studies have found that when women are involved in group decisions, there are more likely to be wins for conservation. Taking Action

The founder of Intersectional Environmentalist is building toward a greener, more equitable future by advocating for both sustainability and social justice while spotlighting communities that have been underrepresented in the space... She's aiming to set the movement on the right path with her new book, The Intersectional Environmentalist."— instyle.com 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 Intersectional Environmentalist is a useful start for anyone looking to get involved with or understand more about environmental justice, and who wants to learn about it through a framework that ensures the most vulnerable are centered."— Shondaland

The Intersectional Environmentalist gave me a much better understanding of the scope of intersectional environmentalism, and how I can be more intersectional in my advocacy and work. Thomas brings in her own experience and perspective, and reaches out to bring in the voices of activists from other BIPOC and queer communities. In addition to bringing in multiple voices and viewpoints, Thomas also provides an expansive tool kit with resources to learn more about specific issues and communities. By engaging with our content online and sharing it with teachers and professors. I love it when our materials are adopted in the classroom setting. If we have a new initiative, try to join if you can. Also, donating really helps. We are a 501(c)(3) organization, and we want to make sure we are paying everyone a living wage. That’s what we’re striving towards because we also want to show that environmental justice work should be compensated fairly. There should be more and more careers in this space. Amplifying, donating, sharing, and joining us are ways to support. This book is a good first step to learning about environmental racism. There is a lot of information, and I especially like all the resource varieties at the end to further your knowledge or participation. I also loved how she does look at the darker side of the green wave like what's happening with lithium mining and the indigenous people of South America. I wished her book was better organized and this may be the Technical Writer in me, but it annoys me to no end when I see inconsistent use of abbreviations and/or just throwing them out there without an explanation. Whatever you do, be detailed and keep it consistent. And she did use the word Intersectional Environmentalism a lot, like every sentence and sometimes multiple times in one sentence.

From the 2022 TIME100 Next honoree and the activist who coined the term comes a primer on intersectional environmentalism for the next generation of activists looking to create meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable change. The Intersectional Environmentalist examines the inextricable link between environmentalism, racism, and privilege, and promotes awareness of the fundamental truth that we cannot save the planet without uplifting the voices of its people -- especially those most often unheard. Written by Leah Thomas, a prominent voice in the field and the activist who coined the term "Intersectional Environmentalism," this book is simultaneously a call to action, a guide to instigating change for all, and a pledge to work towards the empowerment of all people and the betterment of the planet. Intersectional Environmentalism is an inclusive version of environmentalism that advocates for both the protection of people and the planet. It identifies the ways in which injustices happening to marginalised communities and the earth are interconnected. It brings injustices done to the most vulnerable communities, and the earth, to the forefront and does not minimise or silence social inequality. Intersectional environmentalism advocates for justice for people and the planet” Leah Thomas, Climate Activist

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Before colonialism, indigenous communities were living in balance with the land, sustaining both themselves and nature for thousands of years without the requirement for harmful extractive processes. As indigenous peoples live closer to the land, they are often the first to recognise the effects of climate change and feel the brunt of impacts the hardest, it can threaten their very existence. Few countries recognise indigenous land rights, with ancestral land often being used without proper consultation for damaging industries such as mining, logging, pipelines, large scale agriculture and more. Before you founded the Intersectional Environmentalist platform, you studied environmental science and policy at Chapman University. What do you wish you learned as a student that was never included in the curriculum? Disabled 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. This book is really a history book in some ways; it talks about eco-feminism and intersectional theory. It talks about the ‘father’ and ‘mother’ of the environmental justice movement. Readers will hear from diverse people around the world about how they practice environmentalism and explore these perspectives from a nuanced approach.