How Are Racial and Climatic Issues Related?

You may be wondering, why are climate activists trying to support the Black Lives Matter movement?

First of all, everyone should be fighting against the injustice embedded in this nation’s system. Individuals should aim to rehumanize themselves. Individuals need to acknowledge the unconscious biases that they hold and the inhumane actions that they pursue involuntarily. The disproportionate deaths and suffering by COVID-19 in communities of color underscore the white-privilege policy-making in America.
We cannot bring back innocent lives, but we can progressively work towards a robust, unified culture. Everyone should try to protest, but most importantly, try to listen to the protestors and understand the struggles of the African American community.

But why do climate activists especially care?
People of color have fought for the climate, so we have to fight for them: African Americans are members of churches and civic groups that put hard work in climate and environmental justice. African-American communities took action for the climate crisis when our government hesitated.

68% of African Americans live near coal power plants and breathe in polluted air, so most of them understand the horrendous consequences of climate change. African American communities yearn to confront the heinous fossil fuel empires because they disproportionately impact African Americans. African Americans are victims of climate change - environmental racism needs to be taken care of. Research has shown that, in general, African Americans are more concerned about climate change compared to Caucasians.

Although African Americans want to alleviate climate change, it is difficult for them to always focus on environmental stewardship - the economic and social burden that they bear has kept them from being able to fight for change.
Now that they have a chance to have their voices heard, we have to help them fight as loudly and clearly as they can. By working together, undervalued societal minorities and climate activists can bring light to the world.
In many cases, racism and the climate crisis have been both unheard, ignored, and oppressed. The advantaged and the empowered need to observe the suppressed issues; they need to realize how ridiculous it is that these issues are not already addressed. Our government needs to stop feigning, step up, put on a new mindset, and embrace change.

The truth is, all issues are connected - this may be why it’s tough to untangle an issue if we solely work on that issue. But if we tackle other underlying issues as well, it becomes easier to untangle the issue that we aim at. Problems are interconnected, but solutions are too.

Racial justice is climate justice; climate justice is racial justice.

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