When I think about Black history, I think about the resilience of our community, the joy found within our culture, and the creativity that flows through our veins. As someone who has been involved in environmental and climate justice for over 25 years, I’ve seen resilience, joy, and creativity lead to generational progress within the movement.
Environmental and climate justice have always been a part of Black history. During the civil rights movement, leaders began to elevate the correlation between race and environmental pollution. Moving into the 1980s, the United Church of Christ’s Commission for Racial Justice released a groundbreaking report, “Toxic Waste and Race,” that found race was the most significant factor in determining the placement of hazardous waste sites.
As the environmental justice movement progressed, notable leaders began fighting for cleaner air and water, especially for people most harmed by pollution. Today, a new generation of environmental and climate justice leaders is emerging to continue the work of those before them toward an equitable future.
Unfortunately, the struggles of the past are slowly resurfacing, making environmental justice work more difficult today. The Trump administration recently issued executive orders to eradicate every federal environmental justice office and program stretching back 30 years. For example, eliminating the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR) highlights a bleak reality — environmental justice is no longer a presidential priority.
Without this national program, it is impossible for the EPA to uphold its mission of clean air and water, for all Americans, especially for frontline communities — the communities impacted the first and worst by climate change, which are often predominantly Black and Brown communities and areas of low wealth. This action will profoundly impact millions of Black Americans’ capacity to defend themselves against harmful pollution or access essential resources to prepare for and recover from destructive storms, blazing wildfires, and harsh floods.
Without the needed federal support for environmental justice, it is imperative that we advocate for ourselves and our communities. I often say that a setback is a setup for a stronger comeback. This is a critical time, and we have two choices: give up or keep moving forward. I’m choosing to move forward. So, what can you do?
Using your voice is crucial.
There are three things each of us has the authority to do: (1) vote, (2) expand your knowledge about the environment, and (3) use your voice.
The single most important action you can take is voting in every election, each level of government feeds into to the next, and climate change is on the ballot. Electing leaders on all levels who will act with urgency on environmental justice issues is important to ensure healthier, safer communities. Your vote has the power to change the conditions in your community.
Knowledge is power. Continue to educate yourselves on the issues and policy changes. Begin researching how you can support local frontline organizations that are mobilizing within the community and already engaging in advocacy work.
Using your voice is crucial. Whether you’re speaking up at a protest that’s advocating for clean water or vocal with family around the dinner table discussing clean energy policies, your voice matters. The environmental and climate justice movements have and will always need the leadership, knowledge, and joy of the Black community.
We know that if you want to go fast, go alone — if you want to go far, go together. In 2022, with the support of the Environmental Defense Fund, I started the Frontline Resource Institute (FRI.) FRI is unique because we established a meaningful partnership between a mainstream environmental organization and frontline activists and advocates — known as our Conceptual Committee. We are committed to building a collective network of frontline groups through shared learning and capacity-building. Consider joining our mailing list for access to resources such as external grant opportunities, job postings, and our “Stories from the Frontlines” blog.
The opportunity to move forward together and establish long-lasting change towards an equitable future is now — climate change waits for no one.
Dr. Margot Brown is the senior vice president of justice and equity at the Environmental Defense Fund. Currently, she is implementing a strategy at EDF to integrate environmental justice into organizational processes, policies, and work around the globe. As Acting Director for the Frontline Resource Institute, she is also working with a diverse group of EJ leaders to accelerate environmental progress that benefits the health and well-being of the people most impacted by environmental injustices.
Before joining EDF, Dr. Brown spent a decade at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), leading teams toward sustainable development for communities in the Mississippi Delta and Appalachia. She also created strategic programming addressing environmental racism, equity, and children’s health. Dr. Brown holds a Doctorate in Environmental Health Science and a master’s in public health from Tulane University.